Chapter 3

Amanda Pov.

Well... I don't know what I expected when I heard the word "party" but that's clearly not what I had in mind.

For God's sake, it's only nine o'clock in the evening and the crowd of students gathered at the party is already dead drunk...I definitely won't want to come to any party with Josh again. In fact, I don't think Josh and I will exist after tonight. We are far too different to be a resilient and lasting couple, and we have different ideals in life.

I didn't set out to date a rugby player for the rest of my life. Actually, I didn't even set out to have a boyfriend, I just wanted to be cool like the rest of the girls. That's not me. I prefer silence.

-Let's play something. Says a girl, who if I'm not mistaken is a cheerleader.

Let's play? But what? Are we five years old?

-Good idea. Let's play "spin the bottle". To whom the bottle stops, we have to kiss him. The brilliant Josh says and I frown.

-I think I will say pass this game. I don't like how that sounds and I certainly don't want to kiss random people just for the sake of the game. I say and all eyes are on me.

Josh takes a sip from the can of beer in his hand and I can see him trying to keep his composure.

-And what will you do while we play? Josh asks me and I get up from the armchair I'm sitting on.

-I go home. I've had enough of this whole party.

-I'm staying. He says and I can't help but roll my eyes at his words.

Is he really going to kiss random people? Does he really have that little respect for me?

• I think you're joking, right? I ask a little skeptically.

I mean, there's no way I mean so little to him that he wouldn't think it would bother me if he kissed another person.

• No, baby. See you tomorrow? He says this and plants a short kiss on my lips.

I'm speechless and don't know what to say in this situation, so I just nod and leave the party without looking back.

He could at least offer to take me home since he's my boyfriend, but I guess I need to get used to not having such high expectations of him. Maybe I'm asking too much. Maybe I'm too complicated...

In any case, this relationship is not beneficial for either of us so I will end it tomorrow.

I don't want to go home right away so my legs take me to Ron's auto shop. I feel the need to talk to someone about everything I feel and he is the most suitable person. I know he would never judge me and on top of that he knows me best.

When I get to my destination I don't see anyone around. Not even Tim who is always around.

Is it possible that everyone has already gone home? But I don't think Ron would do that. When he says he's working overtime, then he is.

I walk into the workshop and hear laughter coming from the office so I head over there. I knock on the door once to announce my presence and then open the door. Five pairs of eyes are on me and I am immediately embarrassed.

-Amanda? Weren't you supposed to be at the party? Everything is okay? Ron asks me, standing up from the chair he was sitting on and coming towards me scanning me with his eyes to make sure I'm okay.

-I went to the party and it turned out to be a nightmare and Josh is an idiot. I say and the woman who is among the other three men giggles.

-We will discuss all this later. Now...I want you to meet my friends, if you're still here. Ron said placing his palm on my shoulder and giving me a reassuring smile.

Ron always wanted to introduce me to his gang of friends, but something always came up and I never got to meet them, until now.

-He's Max, Joe, Karla and Paul. Joe and Paul are Karla's brothers and Max is her boyfriend. Ron said pointing at each of them.

They all give me a friendly smile when they are introduced and make me feel good around them.

-So you are the mysterious Amanda that our Ron can't get enough of talking about. Karla says and I feel my cheeks heat up.

• I'm not mysterious at all.

• Well, you are for us. We were starting to think Ron was talking about an imaginary friend since we never saw you. Max says taking a drag from his cigarette.

-Amanda is more withdrawn. Now is not the time to all jump on it. Ron says patting my back and the others chuckle.

-Come here. I can't wait to learn more about you. I'm finally not the only woman in this group of friends. Karla says standing up from her boyfriend and pulling me into a corner away from them.

-Beer? She asks me as she opens a can of beer and I scrunch up my nose. Oh come on…Since you said your boyfriend is an idiot, I think you need a drink, then you can tell me about him.

Ok, either… I've never been a drinker, but I don't think I can say no at this point. Plus, Karla seems like a nice girl.

I take the can of beer from her hands and take a sip, refraining from grimacing at the bitter taste. Karla follows my example and also drinks from her can and then we sit on some old chairs and start telling stories.

It's great to be able to talk to another woman about your life. She seems to understand perfectly everything I say to her.

I should have had no doubts about Ron's friends. I needed to know that his friends were just like him. Ron couldn't have cocky friends.

• I don't know what to say, girl, about this. From what you've told me so far, Josh is lucky you haven't kicked his ass yet. You know best what to do. Karla says as soon as I finish talking about tonight's events.

My gaze moves from Karla to the four men because for a while I feel like someone is watching me, but when I turn around I see no one.

• It's Ron. Karla says drinking her beer.

-Excuse me?

-Ron is the one looking at you. Ever since we moved away from them he can't stop looking at you.

-Ron is a good friend. He always makes sure I'm okay.

-Do you think that's all?

-I do not understand…

-Ron is a man.

-Do you want me to take you home? It's quite late and I thought I might as well not stay. Ron says from behind me catching me by surprise and I turn to him.

-Sure. do you want to go now? I ask, and he nods.

-Don't forget what I told you, Amanda. Karla says as soon as Ron is gone then gets up and leaves with the rest of the group.

I know Ron is a man too, but I still don't understand what she meant by that. Karla is a go-getter, but I swear I don't always understand what she means by her statements.