Casper's POV
It's 1 PM, I'm at an arcade, and I'm beyond frustrated.
Austin came to pick me up, but he had no clue where we were headed. We had to stop and ask for directions just to find this place. And now, we're stuck waiting because Austin's annoying best friend and her boyfriend are running late.
I just wanted to get this over with.
I haven't seen Rex since yesterday we didn't communicate after that call. At first, I wasn't sure if he was avoiding me, but when his texts stopped coming like they used to, I sensed something was off, though I couldn't pinpoint what. I decided that after this, I'd check in on him at his place.
"Where the hell are they?" I muttered to Austin.
"I'm pretty sure her useless boyfriend is dragging this out just to annoy me," Austin replied, his brow furrowed.
"If they don't show up soon, I'm leaving."
"Look, there they are," he said, gesturing to his right. I turned and spotted a short blonde girl with a guy approaching.
And that guy was Jess.
I stood frozen as they came closer. "What took you guys so long?" I heard Austin ask, but my gaze was locked on Jess, who was staring right back at me.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I shot at him, my voice sharp.
"Casper? What are you doing here? Wait, why are you even here?" Jess asked, disbelief etched on his face. I felt the same way; it had been over a year since I last heard his voice.
I turned to Austin, "He's her boyfriend?" He nodded, looking bewildered. "I don't think I can continue with this," I admitted.
"Babe, what's happening?" the girl asked Jess, but he ignored her and stepped closer to me. "Hold on, Casper, we need to talk."
"There's nothing to discuss, Jess. It's all behind us, and I don't want to talk about it." I glanced at Austin. "I'll just grab a taxi home." As I headed outside, I noticed Jess trailing behind me.
"Come on, let's talk."
I halted and turned back to him. "You actually left your girlfriend back there to chase after me?"
"She doesn't matter right now. I had no idea you knew Austin. Do you go to his school? You changed your number, and no one would give me your new one."
"That's because I asked them not to. Why on earth would I want to talk to you?"
He crossed his arms defensively. "Don't tell me you're still upset about high school? It was just a joke."
"A joke? Jess, you kissed the guy I liked after you knew I had feelings for him!" I replied, my frustration rising.
"We're not in high school anymore. Can't you just move on?"
"No," I stated firmly and turned away. I caught a taxi and headed home. I really can't stand Jess.
FLASHBACK
I was really hurt when Jess told us Rex was interested in him. I was there that day on the field when Jess kissed him on the cheek. But Darla said Jess was a lying piece of shit and that she doesn't believe Rex would be interested in him so suddenly.
That's why we decided to go ask Ben about it, because Ben was the only one with them that day. And when we asked Ben, he told us what really happened. Jess was indeed a lying piece of shit.
I was so relieved that Rex wasn't interested in Jess. I washappy that despite the fact that I wouldn't confess to him, he didn't like my friend, Jess. Because then, I wouldn't be able to bear it.
Darla and I didn't talk to Jess anymore. We avoided him and he avoided both of us too. I think he found out we knew about his lies.
Things went back to normal, and by normal, I mean, I continued to stare at him, dream about him and the urge to talk to him really increased. I think my feelings for him grew moreafter that, I'm not sure though. When we had a joint send off party for graduating seniors was when things went downhill.
I wasn't tipsy but he was. I watched as he chatted with his friend, Dan. He doesn't usually get tipsy when we have parties like this. I was kind of surprised that day when he drank that much.
His eyes met mine and I quickly looked away, hoping that I wasn't that obvious. From the corners of my eyes, I could see him walk towards me. I had honestly hoped Ben was behind me because I was sure I would embarrass myself if he was to talk to me. I wasn't prepared at all.
"Hey, you, I always see you stare at me." He said as he reached me.
"...."
He leaned in close, his alcoholic breath fanning my face. "Doyou have a crush on me or something?" He asked.
My reply? A kiss. I simply kissed him and ran away. I ran outside the hall, a few people were outside.
"Fuck, Casper. Why the fuck did you kiss him? You don't go around kissing people, that's not how it works." I said to myself in frustration.
I should apologize to him. He noticed I was always staringat him, and now that I've kissed him, he'll add creep to the list. I walked back inside the hall. I scanned the area but I couldn't find him. Darla and Liam came with drinks and I gladly drank them all, hoping I'd get confidence from it.
I was tipsy when I concluded I've gotten enough confidence to talk to him. I went out in search of him.
I walked upstairs, "Yeah, yes, just keep going, I'm almost-" I heard a boy scream.
Who the fuck moans loudly like that? I doubt the dick is that good for him to scream like that. I make my way towards the particular door, navigating through several people, some passed out drunk. Tipsy and nosy, I forcefully open the door to see Rex, the guy I imagined as a nerd, serious and asocial, giving handjob to Jess, my supposed friend.
Jess turned towards me, his face twisted in pleasure as he came. A cruel smirk then appeared on his face as we maintained eye contact.
I left, hurriedly running outside the hall and away from the party in general. I burst into tears. I wasn't sure if It was because I was tipsy, or I was really hurt but I just knew the tears didn't stop pouring out.
I honestly thought Jess had backed off, I thought he had forgotten about that argument we had. And Rex? Didn't Ben say he wasn't interested in Jess? I let the tears continue to pour out, finally accepting the fact that Rex and I will never work.
Despite that realization, despite all that happened, I still had feelings for Rex.