Page 12 of Upgraded Friendship

I glance at Tanya as she climbs into the backseat, a knowing smirk playing at her lips. “Looks like someone’s got a crush,” she whispers, her voice barely concealing her amusement.

I roll my eyes at her teasing, trying to play it cool despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach. “Please, I’m just being polite,” I retort, hoping to brush off her teasing with a casual remark.

Tanya chuckles knowingly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Sure, Josh. Whatever you say,” she replies, her tone teasing yet affectionate.

As we drive to the engagement party, excitement and nerves mingle to make the tension in the car is palpable.

Standing outside the venue for Jeremy’s engagement party, I feel a sense of apprehension as I prepare to face the inevitable awkwardness of the evening ahead.

I’ve never understood what Andrea saw in Jeremy, the boy always struck me as a jerk and a big flirt. I’ve always felt she was too good for him. But for her sake—and at my sister’s insistence—I am here, steeling myself for the social gauntlet that awaits.

As we step into the venue, I quickly realize that I know absolutely no one besides Tanya and Andrea. A wave of nervousness washes over me, but I try to maintain a confident facade as we make our way through the crowd.

Almost immediately, people start approaching us, eager to catch up and reminisce about their high school lives. I notice two guys walking towards us and I get myself mentally ready.

“Hey, Tanya, Andrea, long time no see!” one of them exclaims, his voice filled with enthusiasm as he greets them with a wide grin.

Tanya returns his smile with equal warmth, exchanging pleasantries with the two guys.

“Hey, Jake, Mike! It’s been ages. How have you been?” she asks, genuinely interested in catching up.

Meanwhile, I stand awkwardly beside Andrea, unsure of what to do with myself. Andrea—always a bit socially awkward in situations like these—fidgets nervously, a forced smile plastered on her face.

“Um, hi guys. Yeah, it’s been a while,” Andrea chimes in, her voice slightly shaky as she tries to navigate the conversation.

Jake and Mike launch into stories about their high school days, reminiscing about old teachers and inside jokes. Andrea nods along politely, occasionally joining in with a hesitant laugh or comment.

Tanya can tell she’s feeling uncomfortable, “Remember that time Mr. Johnson caught us trying to sneak out of detention?” she interjects, hoping to add some levity into the conversation.

The guys chuckle at the memory, their laughter easing some of the tension in the air. Andrea shoots Tanya a grateful smile, seemingly thanking her for the lifeline.

But just as the conversation starts to flow more smoothly, a group of girls show up, dragging Tanya away with promises of a quick chat.

“Sorry, guys, duty calls. I’ll catch up with you later,” Tanya calls over her shoulder, flashing us an apologetic smile as she’s whisked away by the other girls.

Once Jake and Mike walk away, I am left alone with Andrea. I can sense her discomfort growing by the second. She glances around nervously, her eyes darting from person to person as she searches for an escape route.

“Hey, Andrea, you doing okay?” I ask gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Andrea nods, but I can see the tension in her posture, the unease written all over her face.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just feeling a little out of place, you know?” she admits, her voice tinged with insecurity.

I nod sympathetically, knowing exactly how she feels. “Yeah, it’s a little overwhelming. But hey, we’re in this together, okay? We’ll stick by each other’s side,” I reassure her, hoping to offer some comfort.

Andrea manages a small smile, her eyes softening with gratitude. “Thanks, Josh. I really appreciate you coming tonight,” she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper.

As we navigate the crowded venue together, she spots a few familiar faces from her high school days. Andrea’s eyes light up when she sees Sarah, another childhood friend, chatting animatedly with a group of people near the bar.

Andrea’s face lights up with recognition, a genuine smile spreading across her features. “Oh my gosh, it is! It’s Sarah, I haven’t seen her in years,” she exclaims, excitement bubbling in her voice.

Without hesitation, Andrea strides confidently towards Sarah, her nervousness forgotten in the excitement of seeing an old friend. I watch from a distance as they embrace, laughter filling the air as they launch into a rapid-fire conversation, catching up on lost time.

Meanwhile, I spot the table of drinks and decide to treat myself to one—or two.

But as the evening wears on, I can’t shake the feeling of unease that settles over me like a heavy fog. Tanya is still nowhere in sight, and I can’t help but worry about her being dragged away by those girls.

Just as I’m about to go in search of her, Tanya appears at my side, a sheepish smile on her face. “Sorry I disappeared on you guys. They needed my opinion on something,” she explains, her voice apologetic.

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