"Valerie!"
When Jack's voice behind me brings me back to reality, I swear in a low voice and decide to pretend not to have heard him, then I hurry to start walking again until I find myself outside the house, taking advantage of the fact that it is not snowing as much as few seconds ago to walk through the small path that leads to the main road.
I take a deep breath, but I don't take two steps out of the gate that I roll my eyes, hearing faster and faster footsteps behind me that make me understand that Jack is not going to give up.
"Get lost." - I say frankly and throwing my head back, immediately regretting not having taken the wool beanie with me when I notice that my hair is starting to get wet:
"I just want to talk." - I hear him chuckle behind me, and then watch him approach my side and put his hands in his pockets, but I try not to give him importance with the intention of avoiding him for the rest of my walk, even if it is hard to ignore the man I thought I was getting married to.
I look around with my lips wide open, admiring the snow-covered trees, while I feel the tip of my nose cool in contact with the snow.
"You never liked winter." - he tries to get my attention, but this way he only makes me nervous, so much that I hasten to reply:
"Apparently you don't know me well." - I say frankly, squeezing my jacket when a gust of cold air starts to ruffle my hair: I would like to tell him more and be more evil, but I stop talking when I see him nod to my words instead of bursting out laughing as usual.
"Maybe." - he mumbles between his teeth, while I take my eyes to the long line of illuminated houses on the side of the street, taking advantage of the long silence that follows to immerse myself in thoughts.
If I've never liked parties, Jack knows all the clubs in New York City, and I don't understand what he wants from me right now, when he could have fun with the others inside Ethan's house.
There were so many women at that party that I'm sure someone would have set their sights on Jack. After all he is a tall dark man, the typical American skater with an impeccable smile and fake innocence.
It didn't take long for me to fall in love with him, although I only began to like him when he protected Meredith from a bunch of drunken customers at his restaurant.
I sigh heavily when I realize that we have already strayed far enough, so I turn my heels slowly, not only scared of being alone with Jack in the middle of a deserted street, but also worried that he might say more and hit me with his false attitude of serious man.
I mentally hope that the two teenagers I left alone in my room have already finished, even if the idea of lying on the same bed makes me shiver for the disgust.
"Why?" - I hear him ask suddenly, but this time his tone is so cold that he seems angry, but he hurries to fix it, clearing his throat when my eyes end up in his:
"Why did you tell Ethan that we are together?" - he sighs again, making me look away suddenly.
I knew there was a reason he followed me, but I have to admit he is right to want to know the reason of my lie:
"Is there anything between you and him?" - he asks immediately after, making me open my eyes and frown suddenly with my heart that starts beating faster when I realize his words:
"What? No!" - my shrill voice leads him to meet my eyes, as if he wants to make sure that I am telling the truth, even if I should answer his question differently and ask him what he cares about.
"Of course not." - I whisper as I look down at my boots, while in my head appears the scene I watched few minutes ago with him smiling at Meredith, who was about to kiss Ethan in front of everyone's eyes.
It shouldn't surprise me, as it's not the first time they've kissed, but I didn't have the courage to go and separate them, and then say to Meredith that Ethan kissed my lips too.
I would never be able to hurt her, also because I begin to believe that Ethan really has feelings for her.
"Okay." - he nods again at my words, but this time I can't hold back my anger:
"Is that why you followed me?" - I spit sour, as I cross my arms to my chest and find the courage to cross his pupils again, but I don't let him interrupt me:
"Don't deceive yourself." - I hasten to reply when I realize that my answer has relaxed him to the point of giving him a domineering smile.
He raises his hands in the air, almost as a sign of surrender, but continues to show his teeth as he stops in his footsteps suddenly, making me collide with his shoulder.
I quickly glare at him for his attitude, but then I realize he has stopped walking only to let me go first through the gate of Ethan's house.
I blink several times and start walking with my head down, without even thanking him, but this time I increase my pace to make him understand that I do not want to spend even an extra second in his company, but also for the cold that starts to make me shiver when my almost wet hair sticks to my forehead.
I can imagine my smudged makeup right now and I'd just like to run and sit in front of the fireplace to warm myself, although I'm sure the house will be even busier than before, so I decide to go back to my room to put on my pajamas and lie down on the bed, but as soon as I step inside the house and the music starts to ring in my ears and give me a headache, Jack hurries to close the door behind him and get my attention again.
"I almost forgot." - he hastens to stop me from walking, positioning himself in front of me with a half smile on his face, almost embarrassed.
I look around as several pairs of eyes rest on us, then grit my teeth in anger and discomfort at the same time.
I let him start rummaging in his coat pockets, while I keep glaring around, until Meredith tries to get my attention from afar, raising a hand to greet me, while Ethan is leaning against the pillar at her side, with a glass in his hand, but so distracted from staring at Meredith's bare legs with a mischievous smile that he doesn't notice my presence.
At the exact moment my friend takes on a surprised expression, noticing Jack in front of me, Ethan also raises his head, following Meredith's gaze to notice my presence.
I have time to meet his eyes and realize that the smile is dying on his lips, and then resume looking at Jack curiously, watching him carefully as he hands me a small decorated box:
«Happy birthday, Valerie.» - he says with an embarrassed tone, reaching out his hand in my direction to give me his gift.
The only gift I got for my birthday.
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