Page 13 of Fall
5
Our Uber drops us off a few blocks down from Prescott Park. There are already so many people downtown for the Fourth of July festivities that there’s no feasible way for us to get through the crowds that are spilling onto the street. It’s not quite the crowds of NYC, but it’s still smarter to walk than have the Uber accidentally run someone over. I mean, not unless I get to choose who.
“Wow, this place looks better than last year!” Celeste’s eagerness to be here is both great and annoying.
To be fair, other than my morning runs, neither of us has gotten off campus. Not even to enjoy a luscious Sugar & Spice latte. Hell, we barely leave our room. So, I’m happy that she’s getting a little closer to who she was when we first met, but I just wish I could skip the crowds.
We pass street vendors selling handmade crafts and carnival food as we make our way through the entrance of the park, and I can literally feel her excitement grow. It’s warm out, without a cloud in the sky. It’s the kind of day on which I would have begged my sister to go surfing.
There are stages spread out, adorned with musicians and circling crowds, and despite the picturesque scene in front of me, a sense of foreboding tingles my skin.
I really wish she would have let me pregame before coming out, but apparently, drinking at eleven a.m. is frowned upon.
“Look, there’s Taylor,” she says and picks up her pace, weaving through the crowd to get to Taylor, who’s standing near a food truck.
As soon as we get closer, we can see that he’s with Justin. Thankfully, Taylor had texted us last night, so it’s not a shock to see Justin like it had been at the cafe.
“Hey, ladies, I’ve got draft beers and apple cider donuts on the way. You guys want some?” Justin asks cautiously, only glancing at me but staring at Celeste.
Evidently, the question was for her. My cheeks raise in a grin as she effectively ignores him and greets Taylor as if Justin didn’t just speak.
I don’t have a problem with Justin, but any guy who would breakup with his girlfriend for hiding the fact that she was sexually assaulted just doesn’t deserve her. By the way that he’s staring at her, though, it’s clear that he regrets his decision and still feels something for her.
I put that train of thought on pause for a moment.
“Hey, did you know that Micah was moved from Union Point General?” I direct the question to Taylor, though I say it loud enough for both to hear. I mean, if Celeste isn’t speaking to Justin, I feel like I’m supposed to not talk to him, too, right?
There’s a flash of confusion on Taylor’s face before he’s back to being the carefree goofball he is, scooping Celeste into an obnoxious bear hug. Too bad for him, I notice.
Justin straightens his shoulders in my peripheral view. “How do you know that?”
I tilt my head in his direction. “Doesn’t matter how I know. I’m asking Taylor ifheknew.”
I cock my eyebrow at Taylor. “Well?”
He just shakes his head, but before I can press the issue, the drafts and donuts are delivered.
“For Christ’s sake! Does she have to be here?”
I snap my head over my shoulder, only to find Juliette staring at Justin while handing him his food and beer.
“It’s bad enough that you’re even talking to the bitch who put Micah in the hospital, but do you really expect me to be hanging around the aspiring whore?” She sneers in Celeste’s direction.
For a brief moment, Celeste’s shoulders sag. But then, much to my surprise, she swings her head in Juliette’s direction, making her blond hair flutter as she stares Juliette down.
“By all means, sweetheart, you can go. Your services are no longer needed. He just needed someone to cater to him. And truth be told, I was asked to be here. I’m pretty sure you begged.”
“All right, that’s enough.” Justin tries to exert his authority, but neither girl is paying him any attention.
“At least I don’t charge by the hour.” Juliette crosses her arms in an attempt to stand in some weird power stance. It just makes her look like a child posing for a bad photo.
Celeste rolls her eyes but doesn’t back down. In fact, she continues, articulating each word. “Right. Because no one would pay you. Honey, when are you going to learn you’re just the intern?”
Taylor and I snort simultaneously, which does nothing but infuriate Juliette even more.
“That’s enough,” Justin says more forcefully, and this time, everyone stops. He looks at Juliette. “Look, everyone is on their way. Why don’t you find us a spot to hang out and listen to the music while Taylor and I talk?”
I’m not fast enough to get my phone out to take a picture, but the look on Juliette’s face is priceless. There’s smug satisfaction in Cele’s eyes as she raises one eyebrow to Juliette.