Aurelia

​I pivot on my heel, coming face to face with Stella McMichael, one of the it girls I used to go to high school with.

She smiles like we’re long lost friends, grabbing my shoulders and pulling me into a hug, or her definition of one, pressing two air kisses to both of my cheeks. It’s odd, considering in all the time we’d known each other she’d barely ever said more than two words to me.

“It’s been forever!” She prunes, pulling back with a too wide smile that doesn’t even reach her eyes, “You’re still so…” She gives me a slow once over, “Different.”

I cringe, “Thanks? I guess.”

She waves a dismissive hand, “Oh, it’s no bother.” She links her arm in mine, moving me away from the door.

“Uh,” I say, “Actually there’s somewhere-”

She gasps, interrupting me, “Is that who I think it is?”

My eyes follow her line of sight, to Kane standing off in the distance. He’s alone, a glass tumbler of whiskey in his hand. The sight of him makes me pause, thoughts I try my damnest to push away rushing thr