Page 60 of Falling For Us Again

JEALOUSY

Dylan

“Hey Dylan,” Colin Newman, an old friend, calls loudly as I make my way into the reunion.

“Colin, my man!” I greet him, and we shake hands. “It’s been ages.”

“I know.” He smiles broadly, pushing up his glasses over the bridge of his nose. “This reunion stirs a lot of memories. Great damn memories.”

Colin, Paul, and I used to share a tight bond back in high school. We were all ambitious, but Colin was always the smartest one. I wasn't surprised when he immediately got a scholarship to Stanford after high school.

He has worked with some of the biggest tech companies in the world, and I'm surprised he found the time to attend the reunion at all.

“I know. It’s so great to see you.”

“You too. I missed my friends so much. I was sad to hear about the fallout with Paul.”

I stiffen at the mention of Paul. I haven't seen him yet, and I’m hoping it means that he decided not to attend.

I still can’t bring myself to forgive him. His betrayal cut deep because I had been confiding with him about our struggles, and I told him to look after Jenna for me while I was in school in London.

I shrug. “It’s been many years since I’ve seen him.”

Colin and I exchange contact info before someone else comes along to say hello. I listen fascinated as Colin starts talking about a project he’s working on for Microsoft.

Then I see them, and it feels like someone took a knife and twisted it in my chest. Jenna and Paul, wrapped in each other’s arms.

They’re on the edge of the dance floor, framed by the tinsel curtain. Jenna’s laughter ringing in the air. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen her this happy.

Paul’s face is equally alive with his familiar charm. Their interaction is so effortless, she’s so at ease in his company.

The more they laugh and joke, the more my stomach churns.

“…and it was so incredible, right, Dylan?” Colin’s voice swims through my subconscious, and I tear my gaze from Jenna and Paul.

I nod, alongside the other people with me, even though I hadn’t hear a word he’d said. I try to distract myself by scanning the room. Old classmates gather in small clusters, talking about jobs, families, and the usual high school gossip. The familiar faces from my past seem like faded photographs.

“Dylan, you okay?”

I turn to Maggie, her expression guarded. She must have caught the tension in my body. She looks tense herself.

“You don't look like you're having much fun either.”

“Just peachy,” she says as her eyes flicker toward where I’m looking. Understanding dawns on her face. “Wait, is that Paul with Jenna?”

I try to feign indifference, but my jaw clenches. “I guess so.”

“They seem like they're having a good time.”

I shove my hands into my pockets, looking away from them. “Good for them.”

“You’re jealous.”

“I’m not,” I retort. “I just can’t believe they have the nerve to do this in the open.” My jaw clenches.

“Dylan, are you still in love with Jenna?”

I shift my weight to my other foot. “Love’s a strong word.” I mumble.

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