two months ago

“Come on Camille! You can't get the man of your dreams if you will be bashful! You chose to go crazy for a band's vocalist so you should have confidence! We are lucky Pia invited me to her party and I can bring a friend which happens to be you! Look girl, I'm doing my best to help you get Parker's attention so the least you can do is loosen up!" my friend Anne said sounding exasperated as she styled my shoulder length jet-black hair.

I kept quiet because I knew she was right. Parker would never throw me a glance if I didn't make an effort. There were too many pretty females around him and his following had been continuously increasing. He wasn't only good-looking, he was a talented singer.

“Don't forget to do all the things I taught you so he will finally look at you okay? You are too pretty to be unnoticed to be honest!"

“I will do my best,” I murmured and it was almost like a whisper.

I saw the frown which crossed Anne's face so I smiled at her.

“I appreciate your help and the encouragement you always give me. You are a true friend,” I said with sincerity.

We ended up beaming and hugging.

At the party

I was feeling annoyed and disappointed. When we arrived, Parker was already surrounded by women. It was a private party but still, he had fans among the guests. I felt Anne’s effort and mine went down the drain. He didn’t even look at me once. He was too busy being chatting to those female.

“No offense but you look pitiful staring at him with longing like that,” a female voice behind me said.

With a frown, I turned. The woman was lovely. She had light brown hair which was tied in a high ponytail. I couldn’t help feeling a little inferior. She was taller than me by two inches or more and she had the confidence in her lovely features which I didn’t think I would ever had.

“Parker eats pretty women like you for breakfast. I don’t know why you and those female couldn’t see past his handsome face and raspy sexy voice,” she said with a sigh,” well anyway if you’re sure you want to meet him up-close, I can help you with that. By the way, I’m Ava. Parker’s cousin,” she extended her hand with beautifully manicured nails.

I hesitated a bit but when I saw her sincere smile, I raised my hand too. That moment I felt that she was really nice.

“Are you ready to meet my cousin?” she asked with a light laugh.

I found myself beaming as I nodded excitedly. It was what I have been longing for.

“I’s not easy to be a vocalist’s girlfriend especially one who is becoming popular. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you, ” Ava joked but then she shook her head and added,” I was exaggerating sorry. I just wanted to make sure that you really like him. If you didn’t genuinely like him, you would have ran away with what I said. My cousin is a good person actually. Believe it or not, he can be a one-woman-man. And to be honest, I think he’ll be better off with you than with any of those women.”

I felt my cheeks colored. That was the most flattering comment I had ever received in years. And coming from Parker’s cousin, I appreciate it a lot. I was on cloud nine. Me and Ava could be good friends and maybe soon, we would be family too.

End of Flashback

Parker and I were going meet his high school best friend who had been away for years.

“Are you okay honey?” he asked. He had a small frown.

I nodded and looked outside the window. These past few days I didn’t know how I really feel. The happiness I felt when we became a couple seemed to be a thing of the past. A lot of things changed in a short span of time. I stopped myself from reacting when he reached out for my hand. I transferred my eyes at him again. Even his right profile looked good. A cold hand touched my heart.

“You have become quieter lately. Is something wrong?” he asked, his eyes were on the road.

“No. Nothing’s wrong,” I lied. It wasn't the right time to talk.

“Maybe you’re nervous meeting my high school best friend. To be honest, I should be the one worried you know,” he admitted with a chuckle.

I frowned. “What do you mean? Why should you feel that way?”

He shook his head and threw me a glance. He even raised my hand to kiss it.

“I was just joking. But to avoid any problems honey, don’t ever leave my side okay?” he said and winked at me.

I looked away and chose not to comment. I wanted to tell him a lot of things but not now. Besides, however bad I felt, I didn’t want to ruin his happiness and excitement in seeing his best friend. I actually had no idea how Caleb looked like. Parker didn’t show me any photos of him even old ones. He just talked about him once or twice saying that they had been partners in crime since they became friends . And when Caleb moved overseas, they kept in touch. I wondered if he told Caleb about me.

“You look lovely as always honey so relax okay? Everything will be fine.”

His voice sounded so gentle as if he really cared about me and how I was feeling. For one moment, I actually wanted to believe him. I shook my head and sighed. I know it would be a long night.

***

I didn’t like this kind of place. We were in dimly lit bar with a flash of bright light from time to time. Good thing was, the music wasn’t ear-splitting. I was also glad that it wasn’t as packed as I expected. Since Caleb hadn't arrived yet Parker introduced me to some people who were obviously regulars of the bar. Everyone was looking curiously at me and I had to keep a smile though inside I was broken. I needed a breather. I had to get away before I made a fool of myself.

“I’ll just go to the restroom," I told Parker.

He turned to me with his brows furrowed. “Don’t be long. Caleb is arriving anytime now."

I smiled at him and nodded. Without throwing him another glance, I walked away.

***

“I won’t cry!” I scolded myself.

I carefully dabbed my eyes with a tissue as I looked at my face in the mirror. I tucked some of my jet-black hair behind my ears. I left it loose on my shoulders. I have light-brown eyes with long and curly lashes which in my opinion were my best features. But Parker told me a lot of times that my lips were actually what he found most attractive. They had a natural pout and they were naturally pinkish. I did two steps back to see half of my body in the mirror. My height was five feet four inches tall. My breasts were a bit bigger for my liking. I had a curvaceous body which I didn’t appreciate but I had been told that I was sexy and lovely though I never considered myself as such. The sad thing was, I didn’t know why I only gained a little confidence even after becoming Parker’s girlfriend. But unfortunately, I was slowly loosing it again.

The door swung open so I turned. I felt I've gone pale and my heart started to thump. After a second or two, I clenched my fists as the woman who just came in locked eyes with me.