I fixed my wind-tousled hair and scanned the entire area with my eyes.
Finally, I'm back in my own country. How many years has it been?
So much has changed already. The airport looks so much better compared to when I left.
I waved my hands in the air when I spotted my friends. I was planning to surprise them, but of course, they figured out I was flying in today—thanks to that one nosy friend who, no matter how hard I try to keep things secret, always figures everything out. She once wanted to be a detective, but apparently, cases here in the U.S. were too "boring" for her taste, so she ended up going to med school instead.
I hugged them tightly. God, I really missed these idiots. We've been together since high school—through everything. Flings, heartbreaks, struggles, happiness—they've always been there.
"And because you're the one fresh from abroad, it's your treat!" Selene yelled.
Of course. When it comes to food, this girl never fails. She always claims her wallet's empty, so she's never treated us. She eats like a vacuum and somehow never gains weight.
"Yeah, I'm treating now. But the day you leave the country and come back? You'll suffer. I'll make sure to get my revenge."
She let out a nervous laugh, even raised her hands as if surrendering. We all burst out laughing. Same old Selene.
"Let's hit In-N-Out!" Alcy yelled while literally shoving us toward the rental van.
Of course, they rented a van.
I was exhausted from the long flight, but the sound of their voices made me forget all the fatigue. It's been years, but three of them still haven't graduated yet—still stuck in med school hell.
"I'm gonna miss you all…" Selene suddenly said, her brows furrowing.
"What the heck, drama queen," Alcy snorted.
"Oh my God, Selene, cut it out," Eve rolled her eyes jokingly.
"Ash, your ex has another new girlfriend!!" Eve added, laughing right in my face.
Classic Eve. You'd think she never cried over her guy the way she teases me.
"Stupid! Don't make her cry!" Selene teased, nudging me.
I just got back, and this is how they greet me?
"Guys, stop. She's tearing up! What if she gets drunk later and drags us down with her?" Marie cackled, making the rest of them laugh harder. I couldn't help but laugh too.
What, do they think I can't move on from that jerk? Excuse me, I've dated plenty of handsome guys abroad. Sadly, boys will be boys. Most of them are only after one thing—sex. It's always the same: after a week or two, sometimes even days, they start getting handsy. Like, hello? What do I look like, some desperate slut? For the record, I've never had sex in my entire life, and I'm not about to give it up to some foreigner just looking for a quick hookup. My first time has to be special.
We stopped at In-N-Out near Times Square. God, I missed this place. This used to be my go-to spot whenever I needed to destress after classes. Everything's changed, but the line's still ridiculously long and finding seats is still a nightmare.
My friends rushed to grab a table near the entrance as soon as the previous group left.
"So, who's ordering?" Marie asked.
As usual, everyone suddenly became "busy" on their phones. I laughed at the sight. Some things never change. Selene even faked a phone call to avoid ordering.
"Oh, I thought you all were starving?" I arched an eyebrow at them. They looked like little kids.
"Fine, I'll do it," Alcy rolled her eyes. "Good thing the guy at the counter is cute, or I'd kill you all." She stomped off with her bag dramatically.
After we ate, they decided to do the stupid "Hey" text-your-ex challenge. Loser buys the arcade tokens. Who even comes up with this crap?
"Okay fine, since none of you are actually doing it, forget it," Eve shrugged. She clearly didn't want to do it either.
So yeah, I ended up paying for all the tokens. Figures. Why are these grown adults still obsessed with Dave & Buster's like we're twelve?
They had the time of their lives there, though. Singing along to every song blasting through the speakers like they were on The Voice. Not that they're bad singers—our group's actually pretty talented. Back in high school, Alcy and Selene were always our batch's official contestants for singing competitions.
After that, we dropped by Sephora because apparently, everyone needed skincare. Flashbacks to our teenage acne breakouts hit hard. Marie, Alcy, and Selene really need it, though—med school is draining the life out of them. If Selene had just become a detective or a flight attendant like she wanted, she'd be working by now. But nope, she chose the hellhole of med school.
They grabbed a few serums and face masks. We took mirror selfies along the way, acting like total kids again. Our ages went up, but our mindsets? Still childish.
"Guys, let's buy bikinis and hit The Hamptons! G?" Eve suddenly suggested.
This girl. Acting like we're all rich when she knows the three med students are practically broke.
"Girl! Why buy? Didn't we already agree to bring our own?" Selene shot her a look. "Don't tell me you forgot."
"I didn't…" Eve averted her eyes. Totally forgot. It was all over her face.
"Stupid," we all said in unison, shaking our heads.
"Alright, let's just head out already," Marie sighed.
"Uh, excuse me, I still haven't seen my family yet," I reminded them. I've been with only them since I landed earlier, so I haven't reunited with my parents yet.
"Duh, girl, they're already at the resort waiting for you," Alcy rolled her eyes.
Oh. So they're already there.
After wasting time at Sephora, we finally drove to the Hamptons resort.
The ride felt endless. They didn't stop bickering the entire way. I just laughed along while Eve blasted breakup songs, annoying the "not heartbroken" ones.
"We're here!" Selene yelled as we arrived. Marie looked pale as a sheet—poor girl, she's never been good with car rides, especially in enclosed spaces.
Once we parked, we headed straight for the front desk.
And of course, I was still hauling my massive luggage by myself. These idiots didn't even help.
I spotted my mom and dad in the lobby and rushed to hug them tightly.
"I missed you guys so much," I whispered. They just smiled. Selene and the others walked up behind me—probably from the restroom or wherever.
"Let's head to our rooms," Alcy said. Turns out they'd already checked us in, so we didn't have to wait around.
Once we got to the suite, I immediately showered to wash off the exhaustion and crashed onto the bed.
I woke up needing to pee, so after the bathroom, I showered again to join my friends. They were probably already night swimming—they prefer the evening because, in their words, "the sun ruins our skin." So dramatic.
I slipped into a black-and-white two-piece and threw on a sheer cover-up so I wouldn't freeze when I got out of the pool.
Just as I stepped out of the bathroom, Sely walked in wearing a sheer dress over her bikini.
"Oiii, girl, hurry up! We're just at the pool. K, bye!" she said, then left as quickly as she came.
After getting ready, I stepped out of the suite.
"Baby, I'm sorry…" I heard a man's voice behind me.
Some couple drama, probably. Not my business. I quickened my pace to avoid eavesdropping—don't need anyone calling me a nosy bitch.
"Aesteria? Aesteria?"
I froze and turned. A man was looking straight at me.
"Aesteria, it is you! How are you? Long time no see!"
I turned into a statue for a moment.
Every painful memory I'd buried came flooding back, rushing through me like a river after a storm. The memory of our kisses, our late nights—all of it haunted me again. I'd worked so hard to forget him. What the hell is he doing here?
"Well, you look better now," he added.
I just stared at him in disbelief. Of all the places in the entire country, he had to show up here?
"Catch up with you later," he said casually, waving at my face before walking past me and sliding his phone into his pocket like nothing happened.
I looked down at my outfit.
Oh my God. I look like a complete mess.
Suddenly, I didn't feel like swimming anymore.
I started walking—fast, like something was chasing me. Why now?
"Ash? Ash?"
I turned again. Seriously, what else does this guy want?
"By the way, I want to invite you," he said, holding out a black invitation card embroidered with gold sequins.
Wow. Fancy. I awkwardly took it—I'd been staring at it the whole time anyway.
"I expect you to be there," he said before disappearing from sight.
I looked down and read the card:
"You Are Invited to Mr. and Soon-to-Be Mrs. Villarreal's Wedding."
So… his wedding.
No wonder he was saying "baby" earlier. Ugh. Cringe.
It doesn't even hurt. Does he really think I haven't moved on? Dream on, dude. I'm so over you. Go be happy with your "baby." Idiots.
Why am I suddenly this bitter? Ugh. Maybe I just need more sleep.
Ting!
I glanced at my phone.
This is my number. Save it.
What the actual hell?