I know it’s silly to think that my life won’t change after graduation. Even if I manage to talk my parents into letting me stay here, our lives will change. I’ll get a job and have responsibilities like everyone else. Seeing each other—Penn or Ellie—won’t be as easy as it is now, and that makes me sad.
Our cups clink together.
“Remember, gotta finish every last drop or it won’t come true,” she adds before we toss them back. I shimmy in my seat as the liquor burns my throat. Once it goes down, I reach for the fresh drink Ellie just got me.
She slaps a hand on the table. “Yes, girl!”
“Liv?”
My shoulders stiffen at the familiar voice. Ellie and I share a quick glance before turning to see Chad and his friend Tyler standing beside our booth.
“What are you doing here?” Chad asks.
“Same thing you are. Came for the music and drinks,” Ellie replies for me as I stare dumbly at my ex.
Chad is a frat-party guy, and while he went out to bars when we were together, I’m surprised to see him this far from campus. At a place like this, no less.
“You girls are a long way from home,” Tyler chimes in.
Ellie shoots him a repulsed look before scoffing. “Could say the same about you boys.”
“Can we sit?” Chad plops right down, not waiting for an answer.
I shift uncomfortably in my seat, trying to put some distance between us as I search the place for Penn.
“We’re actually saving those seats for someone,” Ellie says, likely noticing the panic on my face.
“We’re just keeping it warm for them, huh?” Tyler smiles at her.
She rolls her eyes.
“How have you been?” Chad asks me.
“Good. You?”
He sighs heavily, and I reluctantly bring my gaze to him. “Not great.”
As much as I don’t want to know, because he’s not my business anymore, I can’t help but be polite. “What’s wrong?”
“My parents are on my ass so hard right now. With graduation right around the corner, you’d think they’d back off, but no.”
I remember how hard his dad used to ride him, and I empathize. I know what it’s like to want to please your parents. I’m struggling to listen to him and a flash of black in the distance catches my eye. I lean to the side to get a better view. Penn and Travis approach the bar, a group of girls flocking around them as they do. My blood pressure spikes, but Chad is oblivious to my turmoil as he rambles on. Penn turns, spotting me. His eyes flick to Chad, and anxiety bubbles through me. I can’t get a read on him from this far away. He spins back around to the bartender.
“Livvy? Did you hear me?” Chad asks, touching my leg.
I jolt, shifting out of his reach. “What?”
His brows furrow, and his lips turn down. “Were you even listening to me?”
“Sorry. What’d you say?”
“I said I miss you.”
I sigh. I should have known he wouldn’t give up so easily. I thought my last message made it clear I’d moved on, but apparently not. Just as he says it, someone clears their throat loudly.
Penn and Travis stand beside the booth, their tall forms towering over our table. Travis is staring at Ellie, who is completely ignoring him, and Penn is staring at me with a blank expression on his face. My nerves kick up another notch. It’s weird how completely calm he appears. Maybe he doesn’t care that my ex-boyfriend is sitting very close to me. He probably doesn’t even realize it’s him, though he did see his photo on my phone that time.
I fidget with the hem of my skirt, feeling sweat prickle my skin.
