The Inevitable Evidence

7.

PDV Melora

Quickly, I become aware of what is going on; we literally devour each other's eyes, in the middle of everyone. I feel Laurie put a hand on my shoulder to bring me back to reality, I tear myself out of those blue eyes to look at Laurie's hazelnuts and take her hand. When I look in front of me again, I see that he is not alone because his group stands by his side and that Tobias is in great discussion with Kwan, a guy from the team. He hasn't changed his style to what I see; He wears a discreet patterned shirt, there for example they are peas, and jeans accompanied by his blackboots, he is having a drink, he laughs and smiles. And I can't help but find it beautiful...

I feel a presence behind me that embraces me, when I look up, it is Jaison. Finally, no need to look for them, they found us. He slips in my ear, instinctively, that I am beautiful and then slips a glass in my hand and tells me that it's Get27 adding that he took me his jacket and that if I was cold, I would only have to go and get it in his car. I thank him and look at him, he simply put on a white t-shirt and grey jeans with sneakers the same color as his top. Driss and Eidan go for a drink for the girls after asking them what they wanted.

As I speak with Harmony, two friends of hers arrive and take part in the conversation, Alyssa and Maitena are her best friends, they are super nice and they make me laugh regularly. They are a trio that I really like. While we're discussing the new series coming to Netflix, I see Emilio in a great conversation with Jaison and who glances at Mymy as they speak. I have no trouble guessing that Lio doesn't know how to go about it with my friend and that he's looking for advice from Jai'.

When I turn my attention to the girls, Alyssa asks:

"Well, if not, did you talk to our dear Emilio, Harmony?

-      Quickly done, but I don't want to talk about it, especially not tonight. She said, sipping a sip of alcohol.

-      Mymy... You know he did this to defend me and defend himself. I don't know what Damian did but screw up your couple and take sides with him instead of talking to Lio I think you're exaggerating. After that's my point of view but I'm tired of Lawford still interfering in your relationship. I said to her, quite firm and cold, the situation gets me drunk just like her. 

-      She's right kitten, Emilio has done nothing except defend himself and you can’t blame him.

-      Yes. She simply replies, taking a sip, turning her gaze to her boyfriend.

-      You're dying to go and kiss her in addition to B. I would add by turning my heels."

It's been between the three, but it's their story. However, Harmony always does too much and Emilio gives too much attention to Damian and it's really drunk. They should not and rather reconcile themselves seriously, think only of themselves. I pass the boys, looking up at the sky and telling Lio to go talk to her, so that we can finish it. He exchanges a glance with Jaison and walks towards my friend. I go home looking for my own trio. No sooner have I entered than I see them swaying on the dancefloor laughing like two Mongolians with Driss dancing as he can, which makes me laugh. Eidan, he, observes them, and I remember that we will never see him dance, since he hates it. He's actually in a big conversation with a guy on the team, Joshua, I think.

I join him then by placing my bag behind Eidan, right next to that of Auxalia.

"You're not going to dance with them? He asks me. 

-      If you're worried! Said a voice behind me as I was about to answer."

I do not have the opportunity to answer Eidan since Jaison drags me on the track and makes me turn when we arrive at our friends having put our glasses beforehand on the table behind Eidan. They laugh when they see us and we start dancing in rhythm all 5 under the watchful eye of the non-dancer, his eternal beer in hand in conversation with Joshua and also his twin, Jackson.

The finished song is a slow that is heard. Laurie immediately slipsaway, shy as she is, which makes us smile with Auxalia. I don't wait another minute to stick to him by putting his hands on my kidneys, I put my head against his shoulder and place my arms around his waist. This closeness has the gift of calming me immediately, I have always felt protected and safe in his arms. Driss does the same with Lia but Lia puts her hands behind her neck and sticks her forehead to it. I leave them alone, but when Jaison turns us towards them, I take a look. Their position is simply cute. When Jaison repeats the action, we see them kissing and I feel my dancer smiling against my skull. He brings me closer to him by squeezing me a little harder and I close my eyes to take full advantage of my slow.

Suddenly, the slow stops abruptly and launches "Chiki Chiki Ta". Jaison pushes me while taking my hands which makes me laugh and trip slightly. He turns me and turns me against him and I let the rhythm take hold of my body and ripple down which makes him smile and we sing at the top of my head, the laughter of Auxalia and Driss come to my ears and I walk away from Jai' to fetch my best friend by moving my shoulders and singing. She joins me quickly and we spend the rest of the song making fun of Driss when he sees how he moves while my partner dances pretty well. Laurie joins us, our passion brings us very close since we take the same dance classes. The minutes pass and the glasses that we tighten scroll, I do not know how long I dance and drink but I seriously begin to get hot. I grab Jaison's head and tell him I'm going outside; he nods and tells me he'll join me once the song's over. 

Once outside, I breathe in the fresh air and let the breeze cool me down. I pass the groups of students sitting and circled in the garden and walked towards the ponton. I sit at the end and put my legs in the void. I don't know what time it is, and I don't have my phone to look at. I then lay my eyes on the starry sky and try not to remember the last days that are still too cool. I'm slightly cold but I feel good, I hear in the distance the music and the screams of the people who are partying.

I take my packet of cigarettes out of my back pocket and insult me when I see that I don't have a lighter. Suddenly I hear someone walking towards me, their footsteps echoing on the wooden pontoon. I turn around to see who it is, making the assumption that it is Jaison but not. The fresh wind lifts my hair and it's as if the scene is slowing down. I see him walking towards me, hands in his pockets, his stupid smile in the corner on his lips, which I'm dying to kiss. As he walks forward, I only realize now that it is with this guy — this Greek god - that I am in a relationship that is beyond me and that makes me live a daydream. But what's so special about him choosing me? I was always the one who was not invited to go out, or to dance in the evening, nor that we considered kissing, so why did he choose me? When I see him, looking at me, as if he were diving into my soul, I have this feeling of being unique, of being the only one that matters to him, of being his world, of him overwhelmed by full emotions that he has never felt; But maybe I'm wrong?

"Stop asking too many questions.

-      Who says I do it? I say with an eyebrow.

-      Your little baby head who looks at me wondering why I chose her among all the other girls I could look at proves me the opposite… He responds in the same tone by sitting beside me.

-      Missed. My pretty porridge was just wondering why you were so ugly tonight.

-      Ahaha very funny, you're lying.

-      Unfortunately for you... No.

-      Pfff...

-      Would I have offended you, Damian? I say, looking at him mischievously.

-      Absolutely not. He replies, looking at the cigarette I'm holding in my hands. What are you going to do with this?

-      Eat it. I say instinctively. Well, I'm going to smoke it, you i***t. I was laughing at his jaded head. Do you have a fire?

-      Stop looking for me...

-      Or what?

-      I swear you're going to drive me crazy. He said by passing his hands over his face.

-      Because that's not already the case?

-      Oh, shut up. Does he oblige me to do, since his lips, which I have coveted since he arrived, are already landing on mine.

-      I won. I say once separated from his grip.

-      Won what?

-      Your lips. Now give me yourlighter, I know you have one. I say, kissing his cheek.

-      No. I don't like to see you smoke, especially since I know you're doing it because it's not okay.

-      Damian…

-      No. Give me your package. Don't screw up your lungs for nothing.

-      Are you taking care of me now?

-      I always do more or less, pretty heart. He replies when he leaves. »

I smile, like a little girl. My head is confused, but seeing it and having this little moment of our own, has done me good and answers almost all my questions.

He cares about me.

He's worried about me.

I feel my heart drumming against my chest and I think for a moment that it come out squarely. I feel very small, ready to face anything. Is that feeling loved? If that's what it is, even by whatever form, because you never know anything, or put words on what you were, I want to take the risk of feeling loved that way because that's why I dated him a month earlier.

I hear Jaison calling me, his jacket on his arm. He walks quickly, I get up and smile at him. He gives it back to me and surrounds me with his jacket, pestering me afterwards for staying in the cold for so long. His little worried look when he looks at me brings me back to earth, far from my dreams and the cute bubble in which I had put myself. I stroke his cheek to tell him that everything is fine and to tell him that we can go back with others because I am hungry and thirsty.

We take the path back to the villa.

Once inside, I quickly find Eidan, who has not moved place but who teases Laurie by ruffling her hair, which she hates. I laugh at the black look that she throws at him and ask him for my bag. He turns around and  gives it to me because it's sitting on your table behind  him. I thank him for keeping it to me and take out my phone while putting it in the back pocket of my jeans and I take off Jaison's jacket because it's hot inside.  

I watch the student’s dance. A lot of people make me laugh when I watch how they dance but without making fun of me. Eidan next to me does the same, he is my accomplice and we criticize the outfits of the people around us. Besides, a girl has just arrived and without wanting to be mean, or almost, we laugh in front of her dress; She wears a long dress that arrives at her feet, blue and green with rather bizarre patterns and they really need us shortly before leaving in a laugh. Our gaze then falls on a guy who already dances too strangely; he makes movements like a robot after good it's not his fault bichette* and he is also hyper badly slicked; He wears a khaki t-shirt with pink shorts with orange sneakers, and high yellow socks taste worse you die, he would miss more than his jacket is blue! 

I end up asking Eidan for a sip of his beer, which is disgusting by the way and engulfs me in the grouping of people with the goal of cooking to serve me a drink. When I succeed, I want to go back: the whole g**g in Goldsmith is in the kitchen, that is, there is Maddison, Jeanne, Clarisse and their clique of pompom stuff, there are also guys from the football team including Damian. But I can't turn around...

I then walk into the kitchen, grabbing a cup on the table towards Elijah and I go to the table where the alcohols are placed, let them not come to talk to me please...

"So, Melora, do you like the evening? Adam asks me. And shit... Well, be Melora yourself. He is nice in addition and at least his avoids you to think of the fake blonde and all the clique behind you.

-      Yes, thank you, what about you? I replied with a smile, but by pouring more vodka into my glass.

-      Nickel, Niall really has a nice house! 

-      That's right, plus it's really classy that it's on a pier.

-      That's what I was thinking, too, and it's going to be a good time? Was I interested in him? Would you like a drink?

-      Oh, bah yes listen to me, thank you! Does he introduce me to his drink?

-      And you’re, all right? Do you know a lot of people? I was asking by pouring the coke into the vodka?

-      Quite yes, being the director's son, I know almost everyone but I prefer to stay with the football guys and then the pompoms are pretty hot tonight. He explains to me, making me laugh.

-      I'll let you meet your friends, good night pretty brunette!

-      Aha to you too, good talker! I said when I got into his game.

I'm turning my heels. Unfortunately for me, Maddison is blocking my way.

-      Yes? I say, raising my head, but moving my glass away, just in case.

-      Your top is really beautiful.

Did she really just give me a compliment right now? Like Maddison, just gave me a compliment? Pinch me I'm dreaming!

-      But you still look like a tuna. She laughs, her remark makes everyone laugh even Tobias while Damian just drinks from his drink and keeps you on the lookout. Maybe you think that since you've lost weight, you're beautiful? Look at you, you're still the girl too fat to date anyone.

I should have known there would be something behind it... Don't cry, don't cry. Everybody's looking at you. Especially not to falter ... Think of the promise. But his words touch me in the heart. How could she become so mean and vicious? I didn't ask him anything, I even talk with Tobias more besides talking about this one, he dares to laugh? While he knows that I always had a problem of confidence in me, that I did not love myself and there he laughs ... That's what hurts me the most. And to be there, with no one to help me get out of there is even worse.

I suddenly see Damian advancing towards Maddison but he is cut off in his tracks by someone else.

-      Aren't you tired of it? Make a voice behind her.

-      Did you see you with your ugly fish nose? Laurie replica after Auxalia is spoken. Not because frankly, you should have surgery because I wonder how Tobias manages to kiss you without touching your nose before.

-      You have proof that using the physical against someone when you are not better is small and even coming from you. Do I end by saying that I have regained my courage. I may still be the fat girl who doesn't go out with anyone but I'd rather be that girl than a girl like you.

I'm around it, I feel everyone's gaze on me.

-      What kind of thing?

-      Trust me, you know what kind you're in now Maddie. I say, turning around to look at her from head to toe. »

Her outfit perfectly describes the genre she has become. Her tight black dress too short to show that she is beautiful with her patented purple stilettos to be noticed wherever she goes just show the fact that she wants to be loved and admired. I turn my head in front of my best friends and smile at them. I walk towards them by thanking them with the look, without them I would have been eaten raw or maybe not ... We come back to our group of friends and exchange a look that means they don't need to know the altercation that just happened, it would spoil their evening and they will be upset. I'm putting my drink on the table when I hear my favorite song coming out of the speakers.

I shout that this is my favorite song and catch Harmony who just arrived with Emilio hand in hand, finally they reconciled, I'm too happy but we really need to talk. She follows me and beckons the girls to follow us. We find a good place on the track and we start to sway. The four of us laugh, Alyssa and Maïtena join us. It is in his moments that I love the complicity I can have with my friends and realize how lucky I am to have them in my life. At the time of the chorus Harmony and I sing the chorus together, face to face: 

« Just dance, it’s gonna be okay, da-da doo-doom Just dance, spin that record babe, da-da doo-doom Just dance, it’s gonna be okay, da-da da Dance, Dance, Dance Just, just, just, just dance »

After the chorus, I feel my hands on my hips. I recognize Jaison's perfume and let myself go. Emilio does the same with Harmony and Driss manages to take Eidan on the track to be able to dance all together, hallelujah. I move my head and let Jaison move my hips. I laugh with the girls and we are super happy to have all the boys with us and Eidan makes the effort to move his feet. I feel a look at us, that of Tobias leaning against a beam with Maddison next to him who asks him to come and dance. I look elsewhere, I don't have to feel guilty about him, it's all his fault.

My smile is instantaneous when it’s Rihanna’s «Umberella" to speller speakers. I turn around to be face to face with Jaison and sing the lyrics to him:

« You had my heart, and we'll never be world apart; Maybe in magazines, but you'll still be my star; Baby cause in the Dark, You can see shiny Cars; And that's when you need me there; With you I'll always share. »

He laughs while looking at me smiling, I know he always liked to see me dance, he was always present at the dance gala with Tobias... I chase this thought out of my mind and focus on my friends with whom I sway on the track all the rest of the song while laughing with the guys from the team who came to join us.

I take a sip of my glass when I hear a rap song that I don't like too much and hoist myself up on the table watching Driss take disastrous steps that make us laugh, he is quickly joined by Emilio and they are now both dumb. I look next to me to ask Jaison why he doesn't go but I can't find him, he must have gone for a drink. I decide to find him again, leaving my drink.

I go to the kitchen but there is no, I ask Adam if he has seen it but he answers me negatively. I then go outside, but I do not see it, I sink towards the pontoon but there is no. I start to worry and take out my phone so he can tell me where he is, he tells me he's upstairs and not worried, Ahaha of course.

Upon returning to the villa, I cross the eyes of Maddison but no Tobias next to her, nor next to Damian. I'm not taking another minute to get upstairs. When I find myself in the hallway, I see a room lit and approach me. I recognize the voice of Jaison but also that of Tobias. I lay against the wall next to the door and listen to their discussion.

"What are you serious about me? Throws Tobias’ voice.

-      Why are you doing this? There is no one to hear us. That's enough now.

-      What do you want to do? Listen, Jaison let me go now.

-      Stop playing a part, it's not you. Makes my friend's firm voice. Stop pretending nothing is reaching you and stop making me believe that I don't mean anything to you in your life anymore!

-      Oh, yes? But do you really know me, Jaison? No. I've always played a part with you and even with your band there. I'm finally me, I'm not playing and it's time you understood it just as you have to understand that Melora is fooling you.

Why is he talking about me? Oh, every time he uses me against Jaison, it starts to get me drunk. Maybe I should show up but it's a discussion between the two of them and I don't have to get involved... But the envy is there.

-      Leave her out of this conversation. Why are you putting her in our conversation? Gets mad Jaison.

-      Because it is obvious that it is your weak point.

-      She's yours too, don't look for me on that. You and I know exactly how you feel about him.

-      Watch it. Tobias replies with a tone so cold that I get goosebumps... Get out of the way now, don't push me to be mean. I don't know what you're looking for, but stop, you’re hurting yourself for nothing, Prescott. We'll never be friends again. Get it in your head.

-      Are you sure of yourself?

-      What do I have to say for you to leave? That you're just a piece of and that having been friends with you made me feel better because I knew I was better than you? 

-      If I'm just a piece of, look in the mirror because you're the worst human on this earth."

I run to hide in the room opposite, fortunately for me there is no one. It would be more likely that I would come across a room or a couple would do things not very Catholic. I'm stunned by what Tobias just said... But when I hear Jaison go out ruminating, I jump at the chance to confront Goldsmith. At the same time, I get a message from Jaison, which cuts me off in my tracks.

Guapo: I'm on my way to the pontoon, I need you.

Me: I'll be here in 5 minutes mi amor, wait for me. ❤

I slip my phone into the back pocket of my jeans and throw myself into the mouth of the wolf after having inspired a big blow.

"I have a question. Tell me out of hiding after Jaison leaves.

-      You really decide to bump into me both tonight, but always go ahead and ask.

Obviously, he's not surprised to see me and he doesn't even deign to look at me too busy looking for something in his bag.

-      Why did you tell him all this?

-      Because that's the truth.

-      The truth? But you just screwed up 19 years of friendship do you realize?! I was yelling at him, out of me.

-      And what's your business?

-      What's the point of telling her all this? I replied without listening to him.

-      Let me go seriously. I have no accountability to give you back. He replies when he leaves the room.

-      Because you think you're going to get away with it like that could be? I was pestering me as I walked out of the room, as if he could really run away from that jerk. – I have nothing to tell you Wheeler. - f**k you. Why are you hurting us like that? Are you having fun? Does it flatter your ego, perhaps? I was spitting in his face. 

-      What do you think? I don't care about your feelings and what you think of me, I make my life and you make yours.

-      If you don't care so much about us, why do you spend your time belittling us and talking about us, huh? Why did you throw that phrase at Jaison at the stadium, why did you talk about me two minutes ago?

-      But what didn't you understand in me?

-      You're contradicting yourself. You're not allowed to say that, you're cruel.

-      That's life.

-      Damn, but are you serious about that? Tell me I'm dreaming it's not you f*****g! I don't recognize you; you can't be so cold and so distant! Put yourself in our place damn!! I say as I approach him, not knowing what else to say to make him react. I can't imagine it's Tobias in front of me, he can't be like that, I couldn't love someone so repugnant and insensitive.

-      And I'm not? Have you ever put your place in my shoes? Have you ever really tried to get to know me because of what I let you see? No, because the selfish is not me.

-      Do you dare call me selfish? After all I've done and endured, has decided to turn the situation over to your advantage Bibi! I say, pointing at him, not even a meter from him, frowning, furious."

Several minutes pass after the announcement of his nickname. Several minutes or he stares at me without saying anything, as if we were discovering ourselves otherwise... Never before had we had a face-to-face conversation, never had we raised our voices in the presence of the other, and he had never been as much a stranger as he was at that moment. So, when he turns around, I have to take out a sentence to provoke him, something I had never done before.

"That's right, go find your w***e.

-      Shut down Wheeler, SHUT-UP. Is he yelling at me as he flips face-to-face.

-      Stop calling me by my last name, I have a first name and don't make the one who doesn't know me either!

-      I don't know you anymore. You're nothing to me, nothing, Wheeler. He replies with all his height, close to me, plunging his gaze into mine.

-      If you knew how you disgusted me... I then say that I widen his eyes when I utter these words, when I say them with my broken voice and tears in my eyes. I have nothing but hatred for him and he should know better than anyone. I dare not even say what might happen to him if he ever got lost in his lies and told us all his horrors just for him. »

I go down four to four stairs, failing to break my mouth with my heels, tears pouring down my cheeks without me being able to control them. When I get down there, I take a person in my face and when I look up full of sadness it's Damian that I see and he takes my chin so I look at him. However, I don't have time to tell him that I'm already hearing Tobias's footsteps behind me, I get out of his grip by holding back from kissing him on the cheek and hasten to go outside to find Jaison. I am convinced that he follows me with my eyes because I feel his gaze behind my back, I avoid my friends who try to hold me without getting there and I hear vaguely Eidan tell them that I join Jaison and Emilio say that Tobias was right behind me when I came back, the rest is blurry and I'm already out.

I almost run towards the pontoon or I see the silhouette of my best friend. I don't know how I feel, or how he feels, but when he opens his arms, I know it's the best way out. My race ends inside his arms, which I receive in the middle of the pear and to which I cling by pouring out all my tears, away from all eyes and worries.

My tears double when he tightens his embrace around my body and tells me to calm down in the ear. Everything that's been going on since the start of the school year comes to me in flashback, all the moments I've had with Tobias and his family, the cute moments with Laurie, Jaison and Damian. Everything gets confused in my head and I do not know what to think, everything gets tangled. All my life, I've loved Tobias and it's hard to hear what he says now... However, I know that I am stronger than that and that the one who must regret something is him. I’d just like to reassure Jaison but how could I then be crying? I reluctantly walk away from his embrace. By reflex, he passes his fingers under my eyes to remove the black marks on my face, I open my mouth to try to speak but tremors take me back and I am unable to utter the slightest word, at the same time I let go of everything, I have to empty all my emotions to be able to let Tobias go, or something like that.

"Don't talk Mel, I know you were there and you heard it all. You don't need to reassure me, or anything, I’m fine. You're the one who needs me. I don't know what he threw at you, but stop. I can't stand to pick you up with a spoon for him, dry your tears for him. You are far too precious for it to c***k you again..."

These words make me cry even more but I know he is right and I silently thank him for being in my life and doing me so much good and making me feel so strong. He takes my face back in his hands and whispers to me:

"I love you and I won't leave you. He does it, too bad for him. You're a great girl and you have to be aware of that. Don't live in the past anymore and advances. I'd always be there behind you, following you in your decisions and in every you do. So, go for it cracks, pour your sadness on me, if it's for you I can take it all... He finishes by kissing my forehead while surrounding me again with his arms and rocking me to the rhythm of the wind."

We stay for a few moments like this, my head in his chest, calming me little by little and him making papouilles* in my back, as he saw me do countless times my mother.

I'm out there watching them both hug each other.

I am the only one at fault in this story, I have no right to feel jealous when seeing them like this, so close, it’s all my fault.

The words I uttered, only God knows I didn't mean them... Really not, how could I think that?

I look at them, a glass in hand, against one of the pillars of the villa, looking at the two people who mattered most to me.

And that I lost. Definitely.

I can only go after myself.

Throughout my friendship with Melora, I have always perceived her attachment to me, which I thought was so taken for granted that I did not see how much I broke her.

I really am the worst human on this earth as Jaison said.

Of course, I don't want her to die, I still don't realize I said that...

I'm just a heartless f*****g i***t.

When I look up at them, I see Jaison talking to her, and gently resting her in her arms, as if in this moment she was the most precious thing he had and he did not want to break her.

It wasn't him who broke it, it was me and yet it was the most precious thing I had.

But I have to do all this, I have no other issues. And I know for a fact that I lost them forever.

If only you knew...

- Tobias.