The Best Mistake

“This dress is actually really cute…” I commented, looking at myself in the mirror. “I’m keeping it.” Apparently ‘snazzy’ meant a white sundress with both dark and light blue flowers all over it that came to about mid-thigh.

Kat shrugged. “Whatever, it’s Taylor's,” she said.

Taylor came into her room, swinging the door open. “Come on guys!” she said in a sing-song voice. “Everything’s in full swing and you guys are missing it!”

Slipping my white flips flops back onto my feet, I followed Kay and Taylor downstairs and then out the back door, where Taylor’s huge backyard was filled with people and a fire going in the center. Four tables were lined up to my left- filled with drinks and food. “There’s alcohol here, right?” I asked Taylor over the music.

"Yeah, but you're not allowed to drink tonight," she ordered. "Or you're sleeping outside."

I frowned. "I threw up on the couch one time!" I defended.

"Yes, on the white couch my mom got from her trip to Rome!" she said. "She loved that couch more than she loves me and Leo put together!"

"Speak of the devil, where's he?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Upstairs watching South Park," she said.

My eyes widened. "But he's only..." I shook my head, realizing it was pointless.

"Ashlyn!" I turned when I heard my name being called and searched the crowd, trying to find where it came from. When Jas came into sight, dragging Levi by the hand, I realized it was her.

"Jas, Levi, hey," I said, forcing a smile. I really didn't want to talk to either of them right now. I don't know if it's been on purpose or not, but I hadn't talked to them in awhile either.

"Hey," Jas said, smiling. "How are you doing?" Her tone held sympathy, which made me mentally grimace. They think I'm miserable without Nash.

"Good," I said, smiling big. "Great, even. What about you guys?"

"Pretty good," she said. I saw Levi looking at me with slightly narrowed eyes, almost as if he was thinking real hard. "Hey, I was looking for a bathroom. Do you know where one is?"

"Yeah, but Taylor locked the doors, so you'll have to go through her first," I said, chuckling as I pointed toward her. "But she's over there."

"Alright, thanks," she said. "Levi, can I do this alone or is it too unsafe?"

Levi rolled his eyes, smiling slightly. "Go ahead," he said. She grinned, kissing his cheek before bouncing over to Taylor, leaving an awkward silence between Levi and I. "Don't hate Nash."

"What?" I asked. "I don't."

"Well, you're not happy with him right now," he pointed out.

"I don't care," I lied. "It doesn't bother me."

Levi chuckled. "It's strange how alike you guys can be," he said.

"I am not like him," I said sternly.

"You are though. A lot more than you think," he said. "But really- Nash is a lot to deal with. He's a stubborn as fuck asshole, but he wants you to hold on, even if it doesn't seem like it."

I forced out a small laugh. "I appreciate you trying to... console me or whatever, but I'm fine. Really. It doesn't bother me," I said.

"I know it does," he said, laughing. "I've been friends with Nash since kindergarten, and he does this exact same thing."

"Levi-"

"Look, I'm not just saying this because he's my best friend," he said. "Nash is going through a lot, as you've probably guessed. He's closed-off from everybody, including me sometimes. It may not seem like a lot, but the things he's told you is stuff he wouldn't have if he didn't care about you. Nash just has this... way with dealing with things."

I was silent; I had no clue what to say.

"All I'm trying to get at here, is that before you give up on him... think it through, okay?" he said. "Nash could use somebody."

"I'm gonna go get a drink," I mumbled, quickly walking away to the drink table. I reached for a Pepsi, but the cooler full of alcohol was calling to me. I wouldn't throw up over one beer, right? So I grabbed one and pulled the cap off, drinking over half the bottle in one gulp.

"I always thought it was hot when you did that." I almost dropped the bottle when I heard someones voice. I held the bottle tighter when I saw who it was.

"Colin, hey," I said, thankful my voice didn't shake. His light brown eyes twinkled as he smiled, showing his perfectly white teeth that contrasted perfectly against his skin. Colin was perfect. But he's no Nash. "What's up?"

"Nothing much," he said.

"How're you and..." I took another big drink. "What's her name?"

He laughed. "Leah?" he asked. "We broke up two weeks ago."

"Aw, that's sad," I said, not meaning it at all. How could I be sad that the guy I used to be head over heels for, broke up with the girl who stole him from me?

"It happens," he shrugged, still grinning. "I haven't talked to you in awhile." Yeah, since you dropped me completely for Leah. "How've you been?"

"I've been great," I said, forcing a smile for what seemed like the billionth time that night. I finished the last few drops of my drink, before reaching for another one. Two wouldn't hurt, right?