Chapter 69 - 69: Birthday Party VIII

(Third POV)

Lara was pouting like a sore loser. When Andy was announced as judge, she felt ecstatic. Like, she was expecting him to pick them as winners to help them put those girls in their place. What? Although Elizabeth's group did those acrobatic moves, she and Kate were his friends since forever, plus he even said he likes Michelle a lot! However, the traitor announced that it was a fucking tie. What tie? She was sure that the wanker was thinking with his other head. 

Anyhow, on their way back to the table, the girls saw Steven and company. 

Lara pulled on Steven's hand to drag him back to their seat. 

Jeff followed as he tried to tell Kate how she rocked. 

Anthony smiled at Michelle apologetically. Not because their group lost but because of what Andy did. Like she must be broken hearted now.

Michelle, well, if she can read Anthony's mind, she would tell him that she doesn't really care what Andy do. However, she could not. So, she interpreted his apologetic smile as for them not winning. Remembering how she moved back then, she shyly smiled back at him. Trying to flirt and acting embarrassed at the same time. 

--

"Stop pouting." Steven said as he gave Lara a glass of water. It's not good if she keeps drinking alcoholic beverage. Though she only had 2 glasses so far. Yes, he does keep count.

Lara pushed the glass of water away and opted for the spritz. "How could Andy do that!? That imbecile! Steven, you do think we were better, right?"

Steven nodded his head slightly.

Vincent laughed, "Shiz Larazilla! You're such a sore loser. I mean, you did see how those girls moved. Besides, if I were in Andy's shoes…"

Lara acted like she would throw the glass at Vince, Vince continued to laugh and acted like he was going to dodge, while Steven held Lara's arm to stop her.

Kate gave an eyeroll with how they were acting. "Lara, stop moping. We had our fun, besides, the night's still young. Don't let what happened get into you." The she looked at Vince, "and you, if you have nothing nice to say, just shut up. What are you still doing here anyway?" 

Vince only grinned. Why else? Aside from teasing Lara, he wanted to dance with Michelle. But he has to get Lara and Kate out of the picture. If not, well, his attempt would not end well. "I wanted to console you two, we are friends after all. Hehe…" then he looked at Michelle.

Michelle was shyly sneaking glances at Anthony as she took sips from the glass of aperol spritz. Now she gets why Lara likes it so much. Amongst the 3 she had so far, this one was the best. Now, how does she get to dance with Anthony?

Anthony on the other hand drank his vodka martini totally unaware that Michelle was eyeing him. He felt bad for Michelle. Such a nice girl and Andy… he said he likes her, but tsk tsk. Poor Michelle. She was even looking forward to this party, he recalled her asking about it when they had breakfast, plus she even prepared her gift for Andy lovingly.

Vince felt that the sight playing before him was annoying enough. He just totally lost interest. Besides, how can he flirt with the girl who was obviously pining over his friend? Such a downer. He looked at Jeff, and Jeff also looked at him. Ah, their friendship was close enough that they can have a mental telepathy. 

Anyway, Lara feeling stuffy pulled on Steven's hand. "Let's dance." She demanded.

Steven who felt bad for her nodded his head and stood up so that they can walk to the dance floor. 

Michelle briefly followed the two with her eyes. Strangely, she did not feel any form of jealousy anymore. She just hoped that Lara and Steven would be happy. It doesn't matter what the future holds for them. What was important was that right now, they were with the person they choose to be with. 

Kate saw her date looking at her but she ignored him. He can wait. Anyway, seeing Michelle who kept looking at Anthony, she decided to give her a reminder and some piece of advice. "Michelle, can you accompany me to the restroom?" she asked.

Michelle who was still pondering on how to ask Anthony to dance with her without saying the words smiled and nodded her head. 

--

Now, there were only Vincent, Jeff, and Anthony left on their table. Jeff and Vince were about leave too, when suddenly, a group of girls came over their table to join them. It was Elizabeth's gang, this time with Elizabeth absent, Riza was the one leading them.

"Hi boys… we see that you lack some company. Would you mind if we join you?" Riza said as she smiled at the boys. 

Vince and Jeff looked at each other and their lips tilted up in a predatory smile. "Of course not, come make yourselves comfortable, ladies." They replied.

Anthony on the other hand, was still looking at his glass, not really knowing nor minding what was happening, he still felt bad for Michelle.

Anyhow, the girls were no strangers to the boys as they also flirted at the pool party earlier, so each already had a target in mind. The two girls each took a seat beside Jeff and Vince, the other one not seeing Steven decided to leave and find herself another guy.

Riza, well, she's the one who flirted with Anthony earlier. In truth, Riza has been crushing on Anthony since last year. She first met him at Andy's 18th birthday, and she even got to dance with him. Though it was a pity that he does not remember. When they talked earlier, he did not even recognize her.

Riza took the seat Michelle emptied. Then she touched the rim of the glass Anthony's been looking at. "Hey there." She began.

Anthony looked beside him somewhat confused. Seeing a girl, he recognized her as the one who flirted with him earlier. 

"Remember me?" she asked.

--

TBC