2 Second Strike

Vana's POV

I was busy scrolling through my feed on Instagram and I suddenly stopped when I realized it's been an hour since Aly left. I took off my sunglass and put down my juice.

"Chloe, Ali hasn't returned yet! Have you seen her when you went to the restroom?" I yelled at her. She stopped playing at the pool for a bit and turned her head to me. "No!"

I guess I just have to look for her. I stand up from my seat and started looking for her. There's only one place that she would go to and that is the bar. I know she does a cocktail tasting in that place for business reasons and ensures that the menu they're serving is good and safe. As soon as I step my foot at the entrance, one of the waiters called their manager and he immediately approached me.

"Ms. Garcia?"

"Where is she? I don't see the princess around here. It's weird." I asked as I eye everything and she's nowhere to be seen.

"She already left and--"

"Oh wait. She's calling!" I interrupted and answered Aly's call.

"Aly, where are you?"

---"I'm packing."

"Packing? We're leaving already? We just got here yesterday."

---"No. I'm packing it cause I just came from shopping. I bought a lot of clothes cause someone made me happy."

"Ohhhh. I believe that someone will be miserable all day because of you." then I gestured to the manager that I'm going to take my leave.

---"Yes. I can't wait for you guys to come back here cause I have a hilarious story---"

"OH MY GOD!!" I exclaimed when I bumped into someone and his drink splashed all over him.

---"Vana, what happened? Hell---" I ended the call and looked at the guy who did this to me.

He was shocked as well. "I'm really sorry. I should have known that you were going to turn around."

"What? I should be the one who needs to apologize. Your t-shirt got a taste of your drink because of me!" I told him and he still smiled at me. So weird.

"Well, it's still my fault cause I knew you were standing there and I still went on this path."

I can't believe this. We stared for like a few seconds when he gave me another smile. I find this guy so interesting.

"If you want, I'll buy---"

He stopped me from taking out my wallet. "No. Please don't do that."

"Then, I'll feel sorry for the rest of my life if I don't do something to fix this."

"Just be my date."

"What?" I said in disbelief. What a straightforward invitation.

"We're going to have a party tonight and I'm the only one who doesn't have a date. Is it okay to know your room number?"

"For what?" I said again.

"I'll send an outfit of yours. We need to be in a match. So, room number?" He asked again. This time, I can see he was determined to know my room number and asked me for a date.

"It's not a room. We're staying at the Amelia cabin."

"Then, it's yes. See you tonight!" and he happily left the bar. I admit, he is such a cute guy. Wait! I forgot to know his name. How silly of me! Then I remember, we were going to be in match outfits so I guess, I might find him that easily tonight at the party.

-

"Oh my god, they really don't know?" Chloe asked and she burst into a laugh.

"Yes!! You should have been there and seen their faces." Aly told Chloe. Aly shared with us what happened at the bar and they really can't stop laughing about it.

Their laughs were interrupted when we heard a knock from the door. Aly went out to get it and a few minutes later, she returned carrying a box. "It's for Vana..." she paused and read the card attached to the box. "...and it's from AA? Who's AA?"

They all looked at me and suddenly, I remember that I can't go tonight. "I met a guy while I was looking for Aly and he asked me to be his date."

"Really? You should go!" Liv said excitedly.

"Well, that's the case. I can't attend because tonight, I'm going back home because my dad said we will have a discussion to do. Why don't you go instead of me? He'll recognize you right away since we're in a matching outfit." I told Liv. She's the best option for me. Aly and Chloe are not.

"Me? Have you seen me going out with a guy before? If no, then no!"

"You should go, Liv. Come on! This is your chance." Aly then supported my invite to Liv. She handed the box to Liv. "Life is short."

She rolled her eyes and then took the box from Aly. "Fine!"

-

Liv's POV

I'm on my way to the party venue and as you can see, it's still against my will. I really don't like having a date with a guy when you're not fully aware of their intentions if real or not. People keep on saying that women are mysterious than man but no, it is a man for me.

I haven't taken my entrance to the venue cause it's already loud here outside. What kind of party is Vana getting herself into?

"The outfit looks good in you."

Wait! That fucking voice is familiar. I turned around and shock was all over my face as well as him.

"Li--"

"Don't you dare! I don't like you calling out my name." I stopped him from calling my name. How dare he! I knew he was one of those boys and I can't believe that Vana's unawareness of their identity has reached this point. "I should have known." I started and he is still in shock that we encounter after 7 years. "AA means Aiden Ark... Thomas."

I crossed my arms. "Tell me. Why are you inviting my friend here to this party?"

"Didn't she explained it to you? It was an apology invi--"

"You've done the worst things to me before and do you think I will believe that?" I told him. "Whatever. I'm leaving."

"Wait." He stopped me from leaving. "Can you at least just say hi to my friends? They're waiting for my date."

Friends? You mean, the rest of them? Well, I think I'm now thankful for Vana for going instead of her.

"Fine but if I don't like them, I'm leaving this time!" I said and I walked inside first.

He passed by me and directed me to their VIP room. As we got there, only one woman was inside and she's sitting while drinking a cocktail.

"Aiden, where's Evan? And why am I the first one here when it's your birthday?"

Okay, I'm getting a lot of shock news here right now. Aiden is the date of Vana, it's Aiden's birthday, and the bitch who's sitting right now over there is...

"That's my friend's fiance. Please... stay here for a minute. I'll just go look for them." he pleaded and was about to tap my shoulder.

"Hey, back off! Alright, alright. I'll wait for you." I said and expresses my disgusts to him. I walked towards the other side of the couch and sits there. Aiden and I stared for a second and he left.

"Did you really think I wouldn't recognize you?" she started and I rolled my eyes. Of course, she will. She excessively bullied me back in elementary days. "I can't believe you get to date the most ideal guy among them." she followed.

"What? You don't like your fiance cause he's the most stupid one among them?" I fought back. She switched her provoking eyes to glare. This bitch really thinks I'm still the old weakling Olivia, huh?

"How dare you talk back t---"

"How much do you know about your fiance?" I asked her confidently.

"Is that even a question? I know him since childhood and everybody know that. Come on, Olivia. You're just jealous."

"Oh really? Let me tell you something about him?" I told her and she frowned. I stood up from my seat and approached her. I handed her my phone with a photo shown on the screen. She hesitated but then, she took it. At the first glance, she couldn't believe it.

"He cheated on you and you deserve it!"

She was shaking and tears started forming in her eyes. "H-How do you know all this? You don't even know him and I don't see a single reason you'll get interested in him."

"Oh, I'm not interested. Ever heard of the best girls in the city?" I said to her. I went to her ear and whispered. "I'm one of them." I straighten up myself and cross my arms. I look at her with pity. "You have no right to tell me that I don't know anything about them because we have been investigating their background and checking their everyday lives discreetly." and there it is. One tear slides down through her cheeks.

We heard the door opened and it must be them. She looks at them with her teary eyes while I still remain my back facing them.

"Quinn, Aiden told me---Wait, are you crying?" Evan asked.

Quinn wipe out her tears and stood from her seat. She returned my phone to my hand and started to walk towards his fiance. I turned around to face them and Aiden somehow looks at me puzzled. He thinks I must have done something. Their so-called leader, Dylan were sitting on the couch as well as Nico. I can't believe this. Their friend is getting a heartbreak moment here and they are just sitting there calmly.

Quinn gave Evan a big slap on his face as soon as she stands in front of him. So loud enough that everyone heard it from the outside even though there was music everywhere. "We're over." she told him and quickly left the VIP room.

"Qui--" he called as he tried to catch up to her but he stopped when he realized I did something. He fastly walked towards me hoping that he would punch me or something but Aiden got in his way.

"What have you done? And who the fuck are you?" He asked in a mad tone. "Why are you stopping me, Aiden? Do you know her?"

This kind of confrontation, it reminds me of what happened 7 years ago. It made me change to who I am right now and thanks to Aiden for that. I raised my eyebrow and crossed my arms. I gave Aiden a cold look and let's see what he will do this time.

He sighed. "Don't touch her. She's my date."

"And she ruined my engagement with Quinn. Why would you do that, you bitch?!!" he yelled.

"He's asking you. Answer it or else--" Dylan threatened. Huh, he thinks I'm scared.

"Or else what? She deserves it and he also deserves it." I boldly answered. "And I'm taking my leave now. My business here is done."

I took my purse and was about to take a step outside.

"How dare you answer me like--"

"I said, don't touch her!!!"

Everything happened so fast. Dylan was about to grab my hair but Aiden stopped him in a rage. I look at them glaring at each other and the ambiance of the room became so awkward. Why does it feel like Aiden has a lot of authority than Dylan who's their leader? Whatever, I don't want to waste anymore time here. I've done enough and that is stopping Quinn from engaging with that stupid jerk.

"Happy birthday, Ark." I said in a sincere tone and gave him a smile. "I really hope I won't ever see you again."

I switched my smiling face to a serious one and took my leave. They should be thankful. I have no plans of telling Aly who I met tonight since Aiden saved me from his leader who thinks himself as above us all. As for Aiden, I might have greeted him but I will never ever forgive him for what he did to me. Forgiving him will never get myself back to my normal life. I'll take this resentment even to my early grave.