The party buzzed with laughter and chatter, but Claire's mind was elsewhere. She tried to follow the conversation, but her thoughts were on Noah and Olivia, who were sitting across from her, looking way too comfortable together. The way they interacted—it was like nothing had changed between them, and yet everything felt different.
The group was lively, joking around and reminiscing about their school days. Claire glanced around, trying to blend in, but her attention kept drifting back to Noah and Olivia. They were seated close to each other, exchanging quiet words that made Claire's chest tighten. They looked so perfect together, and Claire couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of discomfort.
Then, out of nowhere, Mark leaned forward with a mischievous grin on his face. The room quieted down as he glanced between Noah and Olivia, clearly about to make a statement that would bring all eyes to them.
"So," Mark said, his voice teasing, "we all thought you two were a thing back in school. You were always together. So, are you really dating now, or is it just all in our heads?"
A few people laughed lightly, waiting for Noah and Olivia's response. Claire's stomach churned. She wasn't sure if she was ready for this conversation.
Noah leaned back in his chair, the cool, unreadable expression on his face as always. "Well," he began, "Olivia and I are... trying. We're seeing where things go. But it's nothing serious yet."
The room went silent for a moment as the group processed his words. Then, the teasing began.
"Trying? Well, it sure looks serious to me," Sarah laughed, nudging Mark. "You two are inseparable. It's like you've been dating all along!"
"Yeah, come on," another classmate chimed in, grinning. "Congratulations, you two!"
Olivia smiled brightly, clearly enjoying the attention, while Noah simply nodded, his face still expressionless. The teasing continued for a bit longer, with a few more congratulatory remarks thrown their way.
But just as the conversation was about to move on, someone unexpectedly turned to Claire.
"So, Claire," Jessica, another old classmate, asked, glancing at her with a knowing look. "You must've known, right? I mean, you two were all friends back in school. Were you surprised to hear about Noah and Olivia?"
Claire froze, the question catching her off guard. Her heart skipped a beat, and for a second, she couldn't find the right words. She knew exactly what Jessica was asking, and it made her feel suddenly exposed.
Claire forced a smile, her voice steady but quiet. "Oh... no, not really," she said, her gaze dropping to her glass. She kept her feelings hidden, not wanting to reveal anything. "I didn't think much about it."
The rest of the group nodded, not noticing the tension in Claire's response. They continued their teasing, but Claire felt like she was sinking into herself. She had kept her past with Olivia a secret for so long. Nobody knew how their friendship had fallen apart, or how she'd once had feelings for Noah. Nobody knew how much it still hurt her to see them together now.
As the laughter and conversation resumed, Claire felt the weight of her silence. She wanted to say so much, but she couldn't. It was all too complicated. She knew Noah and Olivia's connection was real, but she couldn't bring herself to confront it, not when the past was still so painful and hidden.
Noah, ever the enigma, said nothing further. He glanced at Claire for a brief moment before turning back to Olivia, as if to close off any further questions. Olivia, oblivious to the tension, continued to laugh and chat with the others, but Claire couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place.
The party carried on, but for Claire, it felt like time had slowed down. Noah and Olivia's easy camaraderie felt like a reminder of everything Claire had lost—everything she couldn't have.