39

"As I Watch the Stars Align."

Joshua

I hit him. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, but I didn't regret it. I watched as he stumbled back and clutched his nose. The hushed murmurs of our audience swirled in the background, but I was too enraged to pay them any mind. The air crackled with anticipation as our gazes locked, each daring the other to make the next move.

In an explosion of fury, the tension boiled over, and he charged for me. Our fists struck like lightning, each struck a potent mix of frustration and anger. We grappled and wrestled as if we were in a WWE ring. Our bodies collided with a force that echoed across the room.

The partygoers had mixed reactions. Some whispered and gasped, while others egged us on with raucous cheers. Sawyer's pleas fell on deaf ears as we were beyond reason. Rage and adrenaline consumed us. Each of us was intent on inflicting harm on the other. Like a sudden gust of wind, our friends intervened, pulling us apart with determination. As Asher's friends dragged him back, the anger was clear in his eyes.

"You're a coward, Asher." I said, my voice laced with fury.

He yanked his arm out of Benjamin's grip and wiped his split lip with the back of his hand, but more blood replaced it.

"Oh, save it, Joshua." He said. "You just can't handle I love her too."

His confession was like a thunderclap amid a storm. I'd always suspected, but he confirmed his feelings. In front of me. The crowd. In front of Sawyer. The realization crashed over me like a tidal wave.

"Admit it, brother." He continued. "You're not upset that I'm in love with her. You're upset because, deep down, you know she's in love with me, too."

Sawyer stood between us. Tears welled up in her eyes, tracing silent paths down her cheeks as her gaze flickered back and forth. With a choked sob, she turned and ran, fleeing from the chaos and turmoil.

As the gravity of the situation sunk in, my anger buckled under the weight of betrayal and heartache. Asher ran his fingers through his hair before gripping it, almost pulling it from the roots. He kicked a nearby chair, causing a group of girls to squeal as it landed in front of them. He stormed off with his friends shadowing him.

"You only dated my sister because of a bet?" Noah asked, his voice tight with emotion.

I turned to face him. He squared his shoulders as anger simmered on his face.

"Noah, it's not like-"

Before I could utter another word, Noah's fist lashed out with inhuman speed, connecting with my jaw. The force sent me reeling backward. The world was spinning around me. I clutched my head as a dull throb of pain echoed through my skull. Noah turned and walked away, leaving me to regain my bearings. I nursed my throbbing jaw as Noah left me alone amidst the chaos of the party. Ava and Elsie stood frozen a few feet away.

"I know you had something to do with it." I said, delivering a hateful glare to the pair.

"Josh, I didn't." Elsie insisted.

I scoffed.

"It was all me," Ava said with a smug grin, as if she was pleased with what she'd done. "Sawyer deserved to know the truth."

"Don't act like you did this for her." I said. "Asher hurt you, so you hurt him back. It's a vicious cycle between you both."

She stepped forward with her arms folded across her chest.

"You know nothing about us."

"Are you sure?" I asked. "He wants nothing to do with you, and neither do I."

Anger burned like wildfire in my veins as I stomped out of the house and into the bitter night.

??

A heavy weight settled on my chest as I navigated the school hallways. My stomach sank, as it was a constant reminder of the rift that formed between myself and Sawyer. A bitter taste of regret soured my every thought as our argument lingered in my mind.

It was obvious she was avoiding me. Her presence was a glaring absence from all her usual hangouts. I'd been trying to reach out to her for days, but it was as if she'd disappeared from the face of the Earth.

Which is why I found myself in this predicament. I'd been desperate to bridge the gap between us, and I found my back against the wall as I faced my only option. I needed to speak to Stella. With a sense of trepidation, I approached her.

"Hey." I said, my voice tentative as I addressed her. "I need your help."

She scoffed.

"You want me to help you after what you did to Sawyer?" She asked. "I thought the dumb jock thing was just a stereotype."

I ignored her anger and pressed on.

"Please," I pleaded. "I just need a chance to explain the situation to her. Ava blew it out of proportion."

Stella sighed, her resolve softening as she inspected my face for any dishonesty.

"Fine." She relented, her tone gentle. "I'll talk to her, but I'm not making any promises."

A sense of cautious hope stirred within me. I knew my issues with Sawyer wouldn't be a quick repair, but I was willing to wait it out. No matter how long it took.

??