20. A Love Story Rewritten- Part VII

Note: This story is purely a work of fiction and will be released in parts daily. Stay tuned for more romantic adventures and heartfelt moments!

In shadows cast by memories dear,
Jealous hearts hold longing near.
A kiss that stings, a glance that cuts,
Love entwined in tangled ruts.

Yet beneath the hurt, a flicker glows,
Whispers of what tomorrow knows.
Through tears and doubt, the heart must mend,
For every ending, a new chance to blend.

As Shawn opened his mouth to speak, a voice chimed in from behind him. “Hey, babe! What’s taking so long?” Hazel appeared, her bright smile cutting through the tension and instantly altering the dynamic. She had a polished look, with perfectly styled hair and a tight-fitting dress that emphasized her figure, but there was something almost artificial about her charm that felt grating, as if she was trying too hard to project confidence.

Shawn’s expression shifted, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face. “Uh, this is Sarah,” he stammered, caught off guard. “We… we used to be close.”

Shawn cleared his throat, turning to Sarah, “This is Hazel, my fiancée. We met about seven months ago, and she’s been a whirlwind in my life ever since.”

Hazel’s eyes lit up with curiosity as she extended a hand, her tone playful. “Nice to meet you, Sarah! Shawn’s told me a bit about you.” Her smile had an edge, as if she sensed the history hanging thick between them.

Sarah felt a knot tighten in her stomach, returning the handshake with a forced smile. “Nice to meet you too, Hazel.”

Mia stepped in, sensing the awkwardness. “Sarah just got back in town. We’re catching up on old times.”

Hazel tilted her head, studying Sarah. “That’s great! Always nice to reconnect, right?” Her cheerful tone felt scrutinizing.

“Yeah, definitely,” Sarah replied, trying to keep it light as she glanced at Shawn, whose expression was a mix of surprise and discomfort.

Noticing the tension, Hazel playfully tugged at Shawn’s arm. “Come on, introduce me properly! I want to hear all about your history.”

Shawn hesitated, caught between the past and his present. “Uh, well, Sarah and I dated for a bit about thirteen years ago.” he added, the timeline slipping out with surprising ease.

Hazel’s smile faltered for a moment, and Sarah caught it. “Sounds like quite the story,” she said, her tone tinged with condescending sneer.

“Yeah, it was…” Sarah began, but the weight of their history felt heavy on her tongue.

Mia quickly interjected, “Maybe we should get a drink? We could all use one.”

“Great idea!” Hazel exclaimed, her smile returning. “What do you like to drink, Sarah?”

As they moved toward the bar, Shawn lingered behind, his gaze darting between the two women. The excitement of seeing Sarah was quickly overshadowed by the complications of his present.

Throughout the rest of the evening, Hazel made a point to stand too close to Shawn, her laughter bright and frequent as she initiated touches and public displays of affection that felt almost excessive. Each time she leaned into him or playfully nudged his shoulder, Sarah’s discomfort deepened. Shawn noticed, but he was caught off guard by the stark contrast between Hazel’s overt affection and the chemistry he once shared with Sarah, a connection that seemed to flicker dimly in the back of his mind.

As the drinks flowed, Sarah found herself sipping more than usual, each glass amplifying the swirl of emotions in her chest. She watched Hazel’s playful interactions with Shawn, an ache settling in as memories of their past washed over her. The feeling was unnerving; she felt like a shadow in a moment that should have been shared.

Hazel, clearly relishing the attention, turned to Sarah with a saccharine smile. “So, what do you do these days, Sarah? Besides reconnecting with old flames?” The words dripped with a challenge, and Sarah felt the sting of their implications.

“Just trying to figure things out,” Sarah replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. She could feel Hazel’s eyes on her, measuring her reaction, while Shawn shifted uncomfortably, the tension palpable.

He was aware of the divide growing between them—the carefree camaraderie he once had with Sarah overshadowed by Hazel’s possessiveness. It frustrated him that, under the influence of alcohol, he hesitated to address the awkwardness directly, unwilling to create a scene. Yet, deep down, he felt an undeniable pull toward the past, a longing for the chemistry that had ignited between him and Sarah so long ago.

As the night wore on, Sarah felt the weight of her emotions pressing down on her like a heavy fog. Every laugh Hazel shared with Shawn was a dagger, each touch a reminder of the distance that had grown between Sarah and the life she once envisioned. The mixture of pain, annoyance, and smugness radiating from Hazel felt unbearable, as if she was savoring every moment at Sarah’s expense.

Mia leaned closer to Sarah, her expression hardening as she shot a pointed look at Hazel when Shawn wasn’t watching. “Now do you see why I can’t stand her?” she muttered, her voice laced with disdain.

Just as Sarah opened her mouth to respond to Mia, her heart racing with unresolved feelings, she caught sight of Hazel tugging Shawn in for a kiss. The kiss was forced and awkward, a caricature of intimacy that made Sarah’s stomach churn. It was enough to shatter the fragile composure she had been clinging to. Memories of shared laughter and stolen moments with Shawn flooded her mind, mingling with a raw sense of emotion that felt as fresh as if it had happened yesterday.

She could feel the anger boiling beneath the surface, but it was overshadowed by an ache that left her breathless. The sight of Hazel smirking, clearly relishing the moment, ignited a fierce sense of injustice within Sarah. How could she see this woman take what was once hers and flaunt it so carelessly?

Clenching her fists in an attempt to regain control, Sarah felt tears prick at her eyes. The world around her faded, the laughter and music dulling into a distant hum. Unable to endure it any longer, she excused herself, the urgency to escape clawing at her throat. As she walked toward the washroom, her heart crashed with every step, a tumultuous storm of sadness and rage threatening to spill over. She felt lost, trapped in a moment that should have been filled with joy, now twisted into a painful reminder of what could have been.

She no longer felt confident; each passing second deepened her conviction that this was a mistake, that she should have let the past stay buried. It was clear to her now: they weren’t meant to be together. But just then, the bathroom door slammed open, and Mia rushed in, her frustration palpable.

“Sarah!” she called out, her voice echoing in the small space. When she found her in one of the stalls, leaning against the wall, Mia enveloped her in a tight hug. No words were needed; the silence spoke volumes, wrapping them both in an understanding that transcended the chaos outside.

After the hug, Mia stepped back and looked at Sarah with a reassuring smile. “Let’s try to ignore the couple for now and focus on everyone else. There are plenty of distractions around,” she suggested, her tone light but purposeful.

Sarah nodded, though the knot in her stomach remained. Mia knew how difficult it was for her friend, especially since Sarah had already confided that she wasn’t seeing anyone. “Besides,” Mia added, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes, “I think jealousy might tug at Shawn’s heart if he sees you with someone else.”

Mia felt a pang of disappointment that Sarah and Shawn hadn’t truly caught up, but she couldn’t help noticing her brother stealing glances at Sarah whenever he thought no one was watching. Aiden, a mutual friend present, seemed particularly interested in Sarah, and Mia picked up on that too. She nudged Sarah gently. “What do you say? Want to give Aiden a chance to shine? It might be fun.”

Sarah forced a smile, grateful for Mia’s support. They stepped out of the bathroom, and Sarah scanned the room, her heart racing as she took in the lively crowd. Laughter echoed around her, and the dim lights created a warm, inviting atmosphere that felt both comforting and suffocating at the same time.

Mia nudged her playfully. “See? There’s Aiden. He’s been trying to get your attention.”

Sure enough, Aiden stood by the bar, his easy smile making him seem effortlessly charming. Sarah felt a flutter of nerves, but also a spark of defiance. Maybe this was exactly what she needed to do—to make Shawn jealous, to remind him that she was still someone worth noticing.

“Want to go say hi?” Mia encouraged, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Taking a deep breath, Sarah nodded, adrenaline coursing through her. As they made their way through the crowd, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Shawn’s gaze was still lingering on her. Each step felt like a silent challenge—she was no longer the girl he had lost, and she wanted him to see that.

As they approached Aiden, Sarah straightened her posture, letting a confident smile slip onto her face. This was her moment to reclaim her narrative, to show Shawn that she could be happy and sought after, even in the midst of heartache.

Would this distraction be enough to rattle him? Only time would tell.