Page 62 of Falling For Us Again

As the song ends, the crowd begins to disperse, chatting and moving to different parts of the room. Maggie looks up at me, her eyes searching mine for some sign of how I’m really feeling.

“Do you want to take a break, get some fresh air?”

I catch a glimpse of Jenna and Lola walking towards the exit.

“Maggie, I need to talk to Jenna,” I say hurriedly before rushing after her.

Chapter 21

A PAINFUL NIGHT

Jenna

I can’t shake the image of Dylan and Maggie together, the kiss they shared burning behind my eyes like a raw scar. It’s not like I have any right to feel jealous and angry—not after everything, but the feeling of betrayal gnaws at my insides.

If he’s been with Maggie all this time, why did he come after me? I think of all the times we made love and want to cry. Maybe this is his way of getting back at me, of making me feel like a fool. It all makes sense now, Maggie’s frosty attitude towards me and the way she always looked at me whenever Dylan was near like I was trying to take him away from her. My hands curl to a fist by my sides.

Paul is talking, trying to lighten the mood with some joke I don’t register. His voice bounces off me, my attention tethered elsewhere. He raises a brow when I don’t laugh, nudging me gently on the shoulder.

“You okay, Jenna?”

“I—” I don’t even know what to say. The room feels too tight, too loud, and too suffocating. I grab my bag. “Sorry, Paul, but I’m leaving. This reunion has worn me out.”

Paul throws me a knowing look. “It’s okay. Want me to walk you out?”

“No.” The word comes out sharper than I intended. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m good.”

Paul’s eyes linger on me, but he nods, stepping back. “I’ll call you tomorrow, alright?”

Lola appears at my side then, her face flushed from the hours of dancing. She looks at me, then Dylan, putting two and two together with frightening speed.

“I’m coming with you,” she says firmly, linking her arm through mine. “Let’s get out of this place.”

We weave our way through the throng of classmates, Lola offering quick goodbyes as we make our way toward the exit. My feet move automatically, my breath shallow in my chest, every heartbeat a painful pulse.

By the time we step outside into the cool night air, the jealousy inside me is a barely contained storm.

The night stretches out quiet and vast, the stars peeking through the inky sky. I feel the cool wind against my skin, but it does little to cool the fire in my chest.

Lola lights a cigarette, offering it to me, but I shake my head, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag.

As we’re about to head down the driveway toward Lola’s car, I hear footsteps. At first, I think it’s someone else on also heading to their car, but when I glance back, it’s him.

Dylan.

I grab Lola’s arm and increase my pace.

He jogs to catch up with me, his breath coming in quick bursts. I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t even want to look at him.

“I’ll be in the car,” Lola squeezes my hand, and I nod.

“Jenna, wait—”

The sound of his voice makes me stop, a surge of anger rising in me like wildfire.

I turn on my heel, facing him, my heart thudding in my chest. His face is flushed, but all I see is him and Maggie—him whispering how much he misses me when he has another woman in his heart and bed.

“What do you want, Dylan?” My voice cuts through the night, sharp and cold. I can’t keep the venom from it. “Shouldn’t you be with your girlfriend?”

---