What are you doing here?

I squint as I see Jace standing in the darkest corner of the room, he paces lightly a few steps further. Letting the moonlight illuminate his porcelain skin. He reminded me of the moon. "What are you doing here?" Jace asked, in that icy tone.

I swallowed hard, not even I knew the answer to that question. I stood up heavily. I turned to him, "I don't know what was I honestly thinking, worrying about you." I bite. He was never my concern, I can't keep clinging to this theoretical relationship that I fabricated to cope with my troubles. 

"Yes now you're someone else, moved on you forgotten about this- whatever this-" He gestured the space between us. "Is." He concluded. He looked sleep-deprived, with dark circles under his cold eyes, features appearing sharp, face looking older. 

"What did Mirae tell you?" He asked clearly bothered about something. "People have a habit, of lying with my name. Spreading false rumours." I watched him for a few moments. 

"I should go," I tell him, being in this room seems to suffocate me. I feel ill when I'm with him. Reget is always the dominant feeling.

"You should." He nodded. 

  ***

Months passed after that interaction, it was Jace's birthday. My father told me. He threw a celebration and Mirae was with him, according to the tabloids they're still a couple. Andrew hums in a low tone whilst he plays the guitar, "I met someone." He says as he sits lazily in my egg chair. He strings a few notes musically. 

I look up from my phone, "Really?" I ask. I'm surprised at how platonic we became. I suppose our relationship wasn't that serious if we could be like this now. 

Andrew stared at me, studying my expression. "Ruby." He smiles. 

"I don't know her... does she go to our school?" I ask. 

"Nope." He smiles that smile he had when he was with me.

I squint, "A mystery woman." I say cooly.

"I'm bringing her to the gig this Saturday. You'll stay with her?" He shrugged, "While the band plays." Andrew asks. 

"Of course." I sit up, "I'm so glad I'm not the only groupie now." I expressed. 

"I have no idea why you're a groupie with a voice like that." Andrew declares with an eye roll.

I sigh, "Those musical days are behind me, I got severely bullied about it back in Chicago, I told you this." I shake my head at the unpleasant memories,

"So you are telling me you're going to let those bullies win." Andrew stums the acoustic guitar becomes more fast-paced now. "You practice with us and everything why not Lu?"

"I- it's not me." I shrug. 

There's a silence for a while until there is a knock on the door. He pushes the already opened door open and asks me if I'm ready. I tilt my head and sigh, "I just need to get dressed." I give him an awkward smile as my dad looks at Andrew and me probably not understanding our dynamic as most people. He goes back downstairs. 

"Jace will be there," Andrew says to no one in particular while looking down at the cords, placing his hands strategically and starting playing again.

"Andrew." I give him a look but he is too busy in his own world. 

He stops playing his guitar and lets out a breath, "I think... me letting you go for you not to even be with Jace is- dumb." He returns the look, "I know we weren't good together but you and Jace. The way you two look at each other is insane. Even when we were together, it never stopped even when I thought it would." He bit his bottom lip and put the guitar aside. I just stare at him in bewilderment, how long was he holding on to that? He stands up from the chair and sighs, "He needs someone like you." He locks his pale brown eyes with mine. He shakes his head, "I should go." Andrew says distantly. 

"What's wrong?" I ask him. 

"Ruby doesn't want me to spend time with you like this anymore, I agree with her," Andrew confesses. 

I stand up. "Andrew..." 

"You can't have everything Lu." He says quietly. 

"Can't you tell, what do I have? Max hates me and now you are leaving too." I stand there watching him packing his guitar in his case. 

"You left me first." Andrew gives me a hurt look, he wasn't fully healed? 

I don't stop him from leaving, I just let them leave. I don't have them, but I have me. I don't ask anyone to stay anymore, it wastes my energy that already has already been exhausted. I know we will still be friends and somehow there was a thought that this interactions with him was temporary.

I wear a black dress, dress code. I style my hair that is now shoulder length. I put on some makeup, red lipstick, concealer and mascara.

I walk downstairs, "Ready?"