Love Me Love Me (English)

27

June

Leaning against the outside wall at Tropical with my eyes glued to my phone, I reread my texts with William.

June: Where'd you run off to last night?

William: Sorry, June, I'm just not a big fan of pool parties

June: So, any party organized by your friends automatically makes you sick?

I grumbled as I read the text. I could've avoided it given Will's next text.

William: Actually, the smell of chlorine makes me nauseated

I reread that sentence a few times.

William: June, how about we spend the afternoon at my house?

I scrolled down to the last text.

William: Change of plans. Let's go to Tropical tonight. I'll explain everything

"Did William really stand you up this afternoon?"

Jackson's taunting voice made me roll my eyes toward the dark, starless night sky.

"Will stood her up again. Imagine how little he gives a shit about seeing her." I heard James Hunter's deep voice lord over me.

"James," the blond guy warned.

"What? I was just telling the truth," he spat cynically.

The two started vaping near me and Jackson shot me a compassionate look.

"June, he'll be here. You'll see. He's just gonna be late."

I appreciated his attempt to calm me down, but I honestly didn't believe him either. Will had been standoffish the whole day, so I doubted he'd keep his promise and show up Tropical.

"Did Will text you?" James asked Jackson.

"No, he didn't tell me shit."

The two were soon surrounded by people I didn't know. I'd seen some of them, but others seemed were new to me. They vaped and talked loudly, and I wondered what the hell they were doing there. I should've met up with Poppy and Ari and found Will, but the things weren't going the way I hoped they would.

I checked the time. It was already ten, and not a word from Will.

I glanced at Ari, who was leaving teary eyed. She looked distraught.

"Where's Will?" she asked. "Is he standing you up like he did this afternoon?"

"No, he had something come up." I tried to defend him. She stared at me, disappointed.

"Okay, yeah, he stood me up," I snapped, irritated. "What about Brian?"

"He didn't feel like coming."

Feeling down, we leaned against the wall. We could've had a fun girl's night, but Ari and I weren't friends. We didn't have much in common, maybe because I didn't know what to say to her.

She hinted at a smile, then checked her phone. "Poppy's late like always, but she said she'd join us."

"Okay."

I rubbed my forearms to warm myself up. Ari looked over at the nearby chatter. Her eyes were glued to James, who somehow managed to draw all the attention to himself in the middle of the giggling group of people. Maybe it was his childish laugh and irresistible dimples, or maybe it was the furtive glances he shot at us.

That contemptible creature and I weren't talking anymore, and I couldn't help but feel happy about that.

"I'm gonna grab another drink. Do you want anything?" Ari pointed at the empty bottle she was holding.