SURPRISE

LYDIA

Julian stood there, glancing at me awkwardly, tightening his belt buckle.

“So, Lydia, did you miss Julian so much that you just had to barge into the bedroom without knocking?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I shook my head, trying to keep my cool. “No, I just arrived minutes ago. I didn't know Julian was in there,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Ava raised an eyebrow. "At least, she saw us having fun,” she mumbled, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I met Julian's gaze. He looked a bit embarrassed, but not in the slightest, guilty. My heart crumbled hearing Ava's words. It was her and Julian on my bed, having raw sex. The amusement on Julian's face while she straddled him was something I wouldn't easily forget.

"Don't start, Ava,” he said, his voice low.

Ava pouted her mouth, looking at me. The smug on her face wasn't noticeable, but I could vividly see it. "What? I'm just saying. Besides, why isn't she wearing her glasses? She would have seen clearer where she was entering."

I opened my mouth to respond, but Julian beat me to it. “I like her better this way," he smiled. “She isn't looking like a nerd anymore."

I felt a sting in my chest, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was serious. Was that a compliment or what? Did he really think of me only as a nerd when I wore glasses years ago? It meant he would still see me as one if I still wore my glasses till today.

Ava chuckled slightly. “Let's go, boo." Julian wrapped his arm around her waist, as they walked past me. She looked back at me with a triumphant smile as if she had been waiting for the moment for so long. She was the same old Ava.

“I'll see you after the party, Lydia," he said from behind me.

I nodded, unable to turn and face him. I was fighting back my tears. I wasn't going to cry there, when today wasn't about them. I wasn't going to behave like the timid Lydia everyone knew in high school.

I clutched the gift bags tightly that the straps nearly ripped, lowering my head. I wished they hadn't come to this party. But our families were close, so what could I expect?

I turned to go somewhere else, maybe the bathroom where I could be alone when I bumped into Ezekiel again.

"I think you really still need your glasses,” he said, an immediate arrogance in his tone.

I looked up at him, sighing with irritation. "Why are you still here, Ezekiel? Don't you have anywhere else important to be?”

With a slow grin, he tucked his hands in his pockets, staring at me. “I'm right where I want to be."

Now, he was only adding to my irritation. I stepped to the side to leave, but he got in the way again.

"Wanna go somewhere to be alone right now, right?”

I finally stopped, my eyes flickering to his face.

“Who would think that you'd still be in love with your ex after all these years?"

My heart skipped a beat, but I maintained my composure. “I don't get what you're saying."

He scoffed. "Really, freckles? Because you were glowing just a few minutes ago. And now… your shoulders are sagged and you look like you want to tear up any moment from now."

I looked away. “I'm fine."

His grin widened. "Right. With the way you always followed Julian around like a magnet, I don't think you're alright seeing them together.”

He leaned in close, his mouth an inch away from my ear. "Especially when you just witnessed them having great sex.”

That was it. He had managed to shatter the fragile part of my heart remaining. I tightened my grip on the bag.

"Thank you for reminding me, you ass.” I brushed past him, heading for the stairs, my heels clicking loudly on the foyer.

"There's nothing bad in great sex, freckles.”

His appearance had changed, but certainly not his bullying ways. It was still the same. Worse now, even. Yet, he was right. Though Julian and I dated for only a year and half in the middle of high school, I was still in love with him. Since the beginning of high school up until now.

And I had made it evident back then, when I followed him around begging him to forgive me and get back with me. I hadn't gotten over him since then because he was the only person that cared for me despite mocking me for being a nerd. Maybe I had misunderstood his care for love, but I still loved him.

I exhaled, held my head high, then walked into the living room where the party was held.

My mum and dad sighted me and began approaching me.

“Lydia dear, where have you been? We waited for you in your bedroom,” my mum said, smiling as she saw me.

"I went there, but I saw someone else entirely," I replied, the image I had seen earlier replaying in my head.

“But the servants told me they didn't see you at all on the first floor."

I arched my brows. “First floor? My bedroom is on the second floor, mum."

My father chuckled, holding my mum's shoulders. “Your mother moved it to the first floor a year ago, dear."

Wow. And I couldn't get a heads up before entering the wrong room and putting myself in an awkward situation. But that was behind me. It was my parents anniversary and I was finally home after six years.

"Happy Anniversary, mum and dad,” I said, handing them the gifts. My mum pulled me in for a hug, her face bright and excited.

"Let's go dear. The party is starting.”

####

The party was mostly a blur rather than excitement for me. Everywhere I went in the living room, I would always find Julian and Ava there, kissing and dancing passionately. It was like Ava was monitoring my every move and following me there.

I had gulped down four glasses of light champagne, trying to erase their images from my mind. It felt like six hours had passed while I was there, my eyes darting towards them every minute.

When the party was finally over, I was relieved. I didn't want to wait another minute here, while Julian came to meet me because he would always walk with Ava by his side. Like they were some inseparable twins.

But, just when I was about to step out of the entrance door, Julian’s voice sounded from behind me.

"Lydia, where are you off to?”

I stopped, holding the strap of my bag tightly. Slowly, I turned to face him, plastering a stiff smile on my face. "I had a lot to drink, Julian. I need to go home now."

As I had predicted, Ava was standing beside him, his hand gripping hers.

"I wanted to inform you about my engagement,” he said, ignoring what I had just said. "I'm getting engaged to Ava next week. I didn't know you'd be back in town, but now that you're here, I would like for you to come.” The words came out of his mouth easily, but it was hard for me to comprehend.

I stumbled, but quickly regained my stamina. "You're… getting engaged?”

He nodded, a sheepish smile on his face. "Sure. I'll text you the time and address. I hope you'll be there as my best friend.”

With that, he left, still holding Ava's hand. I stood there, my heart sinking to my stomach. They were getting engaged so soon, and he was really excited about it.

My eyes flickered to the side of the room. Ezekiel stood there, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.