Chapter 9

I whipped my head so fast it’s a surprise I didn’t get whiplash. Hold on-mhm, definitely a whiplash. Ouch.

I turned to meet the familiar blue eyes; the shade of blue that reminded you of the ocean itself. The thick dark brown mob of hair that could pass as black was cut short and was gelled up on the top of his head and even though it’s been months, I could’ve recognized that face anywhere.

But it didn’t help diminish the dread that settled in. “Dominic?” I didn’t realize I said it until Adam spoke up, “You know the guy?”

I nodded my head, moving my head slightly but my eyes were trained towards the guy I once called best friend and brother.

“Yeah, Sand, it’s me,” he spoke so softly as if I’d break any second, which might as well be true. My knees went weak and tears threatened to fall as I unconsciously stepped closer hesitantly towards him. From the end of my vision, I could see Adam move forward to catch me in case I fall any minute then but Monic shot a hand shot out to stop him and she shook her head.

My hands shot out and wrapped themselves around his waist, the gesture was so familiar that I did it mindlessly. I clutched the back of his shirt with my fingers ever so tightly, the fabric felt like it would tear if I clutched it any tighter.

He chuckled softly, “I miss you too, little squirrel.” I laughed soundlessly at the old nickname.

He came to the conclusion that since I ate like a squirrel, used to adore, and still do, Sandy the Squirrel from Spongebob Squarepants and that my nickname which came originally from Cas’sand’ra was pure fate; he came up with a very childish nickname.

“I miss you so much, Big Donkey.” I felt his chest vibrate under my head and I smiled. Payback’s a bitch. We came up with these nicknames when we were just kids and when we came to realize how embarrassing it sounded, it became an internal joke between us to humiliate the other with so called nickname.

Bryant would always watch us in amusement like we were some circus entertainment and let us bicker until it gets heated and only when I raise my fist to hit him, will he stop us.

A cough interrupted us and a blush crept up my neck as we broke apart from the embrace and face our companions.

Sonia looked shocked but regained her composure before strutting over to Dominic and started flirting with him. Oh sweet baby Jesus, my eyes! My poor virgin eyes!

I averted my eyes from them to see Adam’s eyes widening and it honestly looked as if it could pop out of their sockets and he started stuttering. “Y-you just b-blushed!” He stuttered and yelled out the last word like he just saw the tooth fairy appear before him.

I scoffed, trying to hide my burning cheeks with my hair. There’s no way I can deny that fact when the blush is still visible and sitting proudly on my cheeks.

Monic was as shocked as I am with the appearance of our old friend. Being family, we were a tight group of people and we all knew who Dominic was, hell, we grew up together.

Her boyfriend, which I seriously need to know the name of, was standing there frowning at Dominic for some reason.

I can’t be bothered right now though because Maddison strutted over in her killer heels, joining us.

Cue internal groan. Aren’t there enough bitches in this cursed world already?!

She nodded at Dom, acknowledging his existence and moved on to Adam. I have no idea how Dom is going to react when he found out how Maddison has changed after dealing with Bryant’s death but I have no means to find out.

“Hi Adam,” she greeted him sweetly, batting her lashes and twirling her hair while biting her lip ‘seductively’. Ew.

She glared at me and moved on to Monic. “And why are you here?” She said in distaste. I inched closer to Monic, trying to cover her from Maddy’s view as much as possible, all nerdy personality long forgotten as I tilted my chin up slightly to meet her gaze.

Maddison doesn’t like Monic as much as she despises me since somehow in her eyes, anyone who associates with me is a murderer of my brother which is not true because Monic is possibly the kindest and most forgiving girl you’ll ever meet. She trembles at the thought of killing a mosquito that bit her. Like, bro, if I were you, I would’ve murdered that piece of shit and flick its filthy body off my palm without a proper burial and feel no remorse.

No one’s going to steal my blood without my consent.

Maddison, even with heels, didn’t manage to tower my 5’6 figure by far, probably half an inch at most.

“Don’t speak to her like she’s trash, you bitch.” I snapped harshly at her, no one messes with my baby cousin. I don’t care if she was my brother’s most loving girlfriend or whatever, and yes, I said was. She is not Bryant’s girlfriend. His girlfriend was sweet, caring and understanding while this bitch is just plain bitchy.

She seemed caught off guard before straightening up and gave me the stink eye before moving along to Monic’s boyfriend who stiffened under her gaze.

I can see how Monic tightened her grip on his hand as he tensed up.

“Ooh, and who is this hot piece of candy?” Maddy cooed.

I gagged mentally as the guy answered lightly, “I’m Jake,” oh so that’s his name, “and I’m taken. If you know what’s best for yourself, you better back off.” He told her lightly, just like talking about the weather while raising his and Monic’s entwined fingers.

Ooh, I like this dude.

Maddy glared at him before stomping off towards Sonia who had her lips locked with Dominic’s. Typical Dom, he always went through them like toilet paper.

She tapped Sonia on the shoulder and told her something that seemed to ruin her mood and ended the heavy make out session. They soon left together and left us to continue making our way to the kitchen to grab the drinks.

Soon, it was only Adam, Jake, Monic, Dominic and I in the kitchen.

We each took sodas, seems like no one’s keen on going home drunk.

“So...” Adam started off. I raised an eyebrow at him mutely asking him to cut it out and just spill it.

He cleared his throat before asking the question I’ve been trying to avoid. “You know each other?”

I didn’t meet his eye when I answered him with a nod and started explaining.

“Dominic was- is mine and Monic’s childhood friend. We used to grow up together and we were inseparable until two years ago when something traumatizing happened and we split off. Dominic’s family and he’s my best friend. He moved for a few months and we lost contact. I guess he’s back now.” I stole a glance towards his direction.

I left out the part where Dom left us out of devastation in losing his best bro and just how close he was to me.

“Now it’s my turn to ask the questions,” Dom spoke out, “are you dating? I mean I can see these two love birds are, but how about you guys?” My eyes widened and I choked on the drink I was sipping.

“What? Me? Dating? I think the nickname is starting to get to your brain, bro. You’re starting to think like a donkey.” I wanted to laugh at his offended state.

“Spare me the love, Case.”

I huffed out a breath before taking another sip. The guys kept on talking ‘til Adam suddenly told all of us that we should be going home now. Since for some reason, the guys seemed to have drunk some vodka while conversing about sports, me and Monic agreed on driving Jake’s car and let them crash in my house tonight. I was about to volunteer to take Adam’s bike home but caught myself when I remembered I wasn’t Pixie tonight.

It’s so hard to remember these things because I don’t usually have to. No one actually cared enough or they just don’t stick with me that long for me to be comfortable around them.

Adam called for one of his new friends to help him get his bike home and of course the kid beamed at the thought of driving a cool ass bike and jumped at the first chance he got. I helped search for Adam’s jeans for his keys, since he was too drunk to even keep a hold on his cup which was now settled on the kitchen counter, and finally found them on his back pocket. Now kids, don’t be pervs.

We drove back to my house, the guys squeezing in the back half passed out and by the time we reached my house, they were all ready to leave the world for dream land the second their heads hit the soft pillows in the guest room.

It sure was a night full of drama and reunions. I’m somehow glad that I agreed to go to the party tonight or I wouldn’t have met those two. We’ve been walking our own paths since a year ago after the crash. We all needed space and time but it was nice to finally see them again. We used to be such a close knit, just the four of us and to be separated by them took a toll on me in the first few months that they left.

They are everything I have now that Bryant is gone, my parents were far too busy with business trips, they try but their efforts remain in vain so to have Monic and Dom back is truly relieving.

I huffed out a breath from exhaustion before pulling the blanket over my shoulders, covering me completely from my shoulders down to my toes. I had to sleep on my brother’s bed since I had to make room for Monic but I don’t mind, I reached out for the worn out cloth and held it close to my chest as my eyes fluttered close.

Let’s just hope I don’t get those nightmares tonight.