[ twelve ]

Was he being sarcastic when he said that? What did he mean?

Many thoughts ran through my mind as I stared out the window as the car careened down the road. To be honest, River was a mystery to me despite knowing him for almost my whole life. When he was with me, he was just plain rude, mean and arrogant but with others he was Prince Charming and ‘Mr Golden Boy’.

But other than those two sides, I didn’t know anything else. I never knew what went on in his head. How he was when he was alone. But then again, nobody really knew who he was. Nor was anybody trying to dig deep and figure out who he was. Everyone just cared that he was River Jones.

I peeked at him discreetly.

His elbow was propped up with his head resting on his palm as he stared out of the car window, silently. His chocolate brown hair was styled in the form of a ‘curtain’ hairstyle while he was clad in his white suit.

He probably felt my eyes drilling holes in his body as he turned. I snapped my head back to the window so fast that I could’ve gotten a whiplash, avoiding getting caught red-handed.

I put my head against the window as an inaudible sigh escaped my lips. I didn’t know and I didn’t want to think about it anymore.

The bright illuminated building entered my line of sight and so did the people who were dressed in formal outfits with glasses of champagne in their hands.

We exited the car as Robert passed his car keys to the valet. The valet who seemed to be in his mid-twenties bowed slightly as Julie grabbed her husband’s arm. She shot both River and I, a smile, “We’ll be going around to say ‘hi’ to some friends. The both of you can go have fun, okay? We will see you later.” With that, the two adults left us and entered the building.

“Riley? River? Is that you?”

A familiar blonde waved at us enthusiastically before holding up the front of her gown to jog over to us. A wide smile erupted on her face as she opened her arms for a welcoming hug. A smile slipped up my face as I wrapped my arms around her, “It’s so good to see you Evangeline.” She gave River a one-armed hug and he feathered a kiss on the crown of her head, “I could say the same thing to you Riley. And wow! Your dress is gorgeous! You’re such a stunner tonight!”

This time, River spoke up with a 3000-watt smile on his face, “Now, I could say the same thing to you. You look stunning in your lavender gown, Ev.” She blushed at his words and playfully pushed his arm, “And you’re ever still the charmer!”

Evangeline Hawthorne was the daughter of the organizers for tonight’s charity ball. She was a year older us with beautiful light blonde hair and gem like smoky gray eyes. I was pretty sure she had a thing going on with River, like many other girls at the ball tonight. But she was nice and we got along well.

“I would love to stay and chat but there many others I have to say ‘hi’ to. So, go inside have a drink and enjoy the ball, I’ll see you guys later!” Shooting us a small wave, she was off to greet the others being the social butterfly she was.

“Well, I’m going to head inside –”

“To start vacuuming up the buffet?” River commented in a mocking tone with an all-knowing smirk. I frowned and he chuckled before adding tauntingly, “Don’t eat too much that the dress will burst.” My frown morphed into a scowl, “Screw you.” He threw me a wink, “I know you would like to.”

I gagged and shook my head as I walked off, not wanting to continue the conversation any further. Yeah, he definitely meant whatever he said earlier as a sarcastic joke. There was no way he meant it.

Even though my mood was ruined by River Jones, the moment I saw the food, an unconscious smile broke out on my face. I felt like I could cry! I waited the whole year just for this! My pace quickened as I made my way to the buffet table. Grabbing an empty white plate, I placed a few slices of the tender smoked duck with truffles before a piece of the buttery lobster.

“Still the same old foodie huh?” A familiar voice called out.

I pivoted on my heel and my smile widened in excitement at the smiling face I saw, “Oh my god, Josh! You’re back!”

I placed my plate down and tackled him in a hug. He instantly reacted as his strong arms wrapped around me. His tall figure towered over me and I could feel his chest vibrate as he laughed.

Josh Delton, age twenty, was the son of a family friend. His family was in the food business and thus, he was currently studying in the most prestigious culinary school in France. He had dark brown hair and eyes and was basically the older brother I never had.

I pulled away, “I can’t believe you’re here! Shouldn’t you still be in France right now?”

Josh waved his hand, “Nah, I’m taking a break from the culinary school thing. Right now, I need to take a break and travel to ‘découvrir mon gout’ as Monsieur Antoine said,” he said dramatically and I giggled, “Well, I’m glad you’re back.”

He smiled before a curious expression crossed his face, “Where are your mom and dad?”

“Oh, they’re in Australia closing a deal right now.” He nodded and ruffled my hair. I glared at him playfully before swatting his arm away. I patted my hair down as he shot me a cheeky smile.

“How long are you going to stay for?” I questioned to which he shrugged, “Maybe a month or two?” I pouted, “Aw, you’re not going to be here on my birthday?” Josh reached out and pinched my cheek, “Well you have not been able to celebrate mine since I turned eighteen.”

I smiled again, “Touché.”

Josh and I caught up for a little before someone called out, “Josh?”

We both turned out heads to the source only to be met with Bethany Walter, also known as Josh’s ex-girlfriend.

She offered us a small smile, “Hi.” I peeked a glance at Josh, his face didn’t reveal anything but I could tell he was tense. He smiled back, “Hello Beth.”

It wasn’t that Josh hated Bethany. In fact, he loved her so much that it hurt him. Bethany was Josh’s first love and you know what they say about first love. They both fell in love with each other at the first sight and got together in freshmen year of high school. They broke up right after they graduated when Josh announced he was leaving for France.

No, they didn’t break up because of the distance.

While Josh believed that they would last despite the distance, Bethany didn’t. And that moment of insecurity led her to cheat on Josh by sleeping with his best friend who had also always been in love with her. In the end, she found out she was pregnant with his best friend’s child and not only did their relationship end, so did Josh’s and his best friend’s.

I reached out for Josh’s hand and squeezed it.

“I didn’t know you were back from France. How are you?” She asked with guilt flashing in her big-doe blue eyes. Josh squeezed my hand before letting go, “I’m fine. How’s Levi and your son?”

Her hair fell in her face and she tucked it back with her left hand, a giant diamond ring on her fourth finger, “Levi’s great and our son Adrien’s great as well.” Josh nodded coldly before turning to me, “Riles, would you leave us for a moment?”

Without saying anything, I nodded my head and left, leaving the two of them to talk.

I walked around the place aimlessly before River and I crossed paths. I quirked an eyebrow at him and folded my arms against my chest, “Shouldn’t you be flirting with some girl by now?” He scoffed, “And shouldn’t you still be at the buffet table or at least with a plate full of food in your hand right now?”

I glanced down at my empty hands and let out an animal-like noise, “Shit, I left my plate on the table.” River laughed at my misery and I huffed, looking away.

My eyes widened as they settled on a boy with a familiar head full of jet-black hair. As if feeling my eyes on him, he turned and caught my gaze. A gentle smile formed on his lips, his dimples on full display. I mirrored it with a smile of my own.

And right when I was about to call out to him, someone else did.

“Kielson,” River breathed out.