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“Been a while, hey. How’s everything going?”

She nods once, twice. “Good, good. Chipping away at all the final assignments. How are you going with everything?” I don’t get a chance to respond before Michelle beelines for Eden, throwing her arms around her.

“Eden! I’ve heard so much about you!”

“Michelle, right? Only good I hope,” she laughs, her eyes widening at me over Michelle’s shoulder. When she pulls her away and holds her at arm’s length, I can see Michelle approves.

“Very good, my dear Eden. Nice jumper by the way.”

Eden’s face flushes a deep red as Michelle runs off without another word to wish Ben good luck before the game. “She knows, right?”

“About what?” I respond innocently, and I’m rewarded when she rolls her eyes.

“Let’s just get a seat. I hear a hot dog calling my name.” She grabs my hand as we head towards the oval. It’s nice, taking her hand like it’s just something we do now. And that’s when I see her.

Or rather, she sees me.

“Oliver? Oliver! Oh my God, it is you!” Her voice screeches from across the grounds. Eden’s hand drops instantly from mine and I miss the comfort. She wraps me in a hug before I can respond and I watch Eden’s smile deflate over her shoulder. The weight of her arms on me makes my skin crawl. My breath hitches, shuddering as I try to fill my lungs again.

“Macie, hi. How have you been?”

I don’t want to be here.

I don’t want to be here.

I don’t want to be here.

“Oh, so good. I’ve started a new job at the hospital, and it’s just been fantastic!” Her eyes slide from me to Eden, and I can see her doing the calculations in her head. “Well, are you going to introduce us?” She asks, acid slipping into her tone.

I’d rather not, but they’re both looking at me expectantly.

“Oh! Yeah, this is Eden, my…friend. And Eden, this is Macie. Also, my…friend.” Heat starts creeping up my neck as Macie places a possessive hand on my bicep.

“We’re more than friends, silly. I was his first girlfriend! Such a shame how that ended though.” Her fingers skim my chest as she smirks, and I feel like I’m going to throw up. “Such a shame.” Her tongue flicks out to wet her lips and the action fills me with disgust. “Anyway, Harry’s playing today too! Go Tigers!”

And just like that she stalks off as quickly as she came, leaving nothing but destruction in her wake.

“She seems nice.” Eden’s small voice tugs me back to attention. There’s something obscuring her expression that I just can’t put my finger on. “Always nice to meet your…friends.”

“Eden, she’s not— “ I don’t get to finish that sentence before Michelle appears, red-faced.

“What’s that bitch doing talking to you?”

“She just came and said hi,” I respond weakly. I really don’t need Michelle airing all my dirty laundry in front of Eden. Not when we’re in a good spot. Well, at least I hope we are. By the guarded look on Eden’s face, I’m not too sure.

“Just came and said hi?” Michelle mocks, her knuckles turning white from how hard she’s gripping her coffee. “She only came over when she saw I wasn’t there. She knew full well I’d rip out her fucking hair extensions for what she did before she could lay a talon on you.” My jaw tightens. I really do not need this.

“She just said hi, okay? Let’s just go sit down somewhere. Eden wants a hot dog. And I’ve heard they have really good hot jam donuts here.”

“What did she do?” Eden’s voice stops me in my tracks. I haven’t heard her sound so…detached. Michelle glances between us before taking a half-step back, obviously letting me take the floor. I sigh.

“Macie and I dated in high school. Just for a few months. And it didn’t end nicely.” Michelle opens her mouth, and the look I shoot her is enough to make her shut it again. “That’s all I want to say about it.” Eden watches me strangely, before nodding. Nothing else is said before we take our seats.

The game passes with no more issues. I try my hardest not to look towards where I know Macie is sitting with the Tigers supporters. She doesn’t even care enough to remember Ben moved to the Devils three years ago.

Every movement I make is being tracked by her, and the skin prickles on the back of my neck.

Eden sits beside me and her warmth is something I’m grateful for. We don’t talk. We don’t mention what happened. But when she wraps her hand around mine and gives it a squeeze, I find comfort in her presence. I’ll explain what happened to her one day.