Looking around my room I cringed at the mess I had created. I had thrown shoes and clothes all over the floor trying on and taking off different outfits.

I bought plenty of outfits yesterday when I was out with Queen, but everything seemed shit the closer the time got to the auction. I glanced down at my watch and groaned, nothing seemed to fit right, and time was running out.

4:26pm

Meaning I had been looking for over four hours and had only a sliver of time left since everything was starting at six. I quickly walked to my bed and decided to call the only person who might be able to help me. My fingers danced over the keys as I vigorously went to the contact and pressed call.

With each ring of the phone, my anxiety skyrocketed. I began pacing the room and almost tripped over a pair of shoes that were aimlessly lying on the floor.

"Fuck me," I spat as I caught my balance.

"Umm no," My eyes widened momentarily as I heard the voice, but my worries were alleviated.

"I need you right now," I groaned.

"Xavier, you just said to fuck you and now you're saying that? This is weird." I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a deep breath to relax as I realized how this all sounded.

"That's not what I meant. I need your help. Come to my room please." I begged.

"I'm getting read-"

"You can get ready in here!" I yelled. The line went dead silent and I checked the phone to see if I was hung up on. But I saw it was still in fact on call.

"Fine, I'll come. Bitch." The line went dead immediately after and I tossed my phone on the bed.

A moment later I heard a knock on my door and I practically ran to it, not caring what I could've possibly tripped over. Opening the door, I saw Queen holding a small bag and a dress in her hand. "Gen was in the middle of getting me ready Xavier. Do you know how hard it is to get away from a woman with eyeliner?!"

I grabbed her arm and pulled her into the room, slamming the door behind her. She gawked at me as if I was a lunatic and it took all of my energy not to laugh.

"Happy Birthday!" I yelled as I pulled her into a tight hug.

"I-...I can't- ...breathe," she croaked.

"Sorry." I let her go.

"What's up with you?" She asked as she set down her things on my bed. "And what's up with this room?" She glanced around the havoc I had created and her eyes landed on mine in question.

"I'm a bit nervous for tonight," I revealed.

She furrowed her brows in confusion momentarily but a few seconds later a warm smile appeared on her face. "Because of Cleo and Caspian?" She teased as she stretched their names.

"Yes."

"Xav chill. If they didn't like you they wouldn't have texted you."

Maybe she had a point. But regardless I wasn't used to this. In general, Syn would be the one to talk me out of my nervousness, but he wasn't answering my calls.

"Where is Syn?" I asked.

"He went with James to Ethan's to give him a gift. It's his birthday too, remember?"

"Oh I see," I said in remembrance.

Queen's smile dropped as she looked at me longer and her fingers interlocked with unsaid anxiety.

"What?"

"I need to tell you something, Xavier," she said softly. I tensed as I looked at her now uncomfortable demeanor. Whatever she had to tell me couldn't be good.

"Go on then." I urged.

"Well, remember when Jess pulled me out of the room?"

"Yes," I said with a slow nod.

"She didn't just tell me she was upset," Queen said as she grimaced.

"Spit it out."

"Her ex Nate is coming to the party."

My emotions went completely haywire at her news. My shock manifested itself into pure rage and it felt as though every muscle in my body was vibrating with a need to kill the man. My anger soon, to my surprise caused a laugh to spill out of my mouth.

"Are you kidding me?" I asked.

"No. Why are you laughing?"

"Because that's pretty fucking funny," I hissed, my fists clenched at my sides as my head began to throb profusely.

"Let's relax, okay?" Queen said as she reached out to grab my arm. "We are still going to have an amazing time, right?" I let out a long exhale and shrugged. "Cleo." She whispered into my ear, she pulled away from me a moment later to wiggle her fingers in front of my face as if she was casting a spell. Coming to my other ear she whispered again. "Caspian."

"You're strange. Stop that." I smiled.

She dropped her hands and grinned at me. "But it worked. You're smiling again." I shook my head as I realized that I had. The mention of their names alone put a smile on my face. "Now, let's get dressed."

Within the next hour, Queen had managed to help me choose something to wear. It was a simple navy blue suit: it wasn't over the top yet it wasn't underwhelming. I patted down the white button-down shirt for the tenth time in the last minute and took deep breaths.

They may hate you, X.

Well shit, they may. I hated how after all this time my insecurities chose to surface now of all times. Thirty minutes before I'm supposed to see them. For a moment I thought I was going to throw up, but I held it in only for the fact that Queen still remained in my restroom getting ready.

My phone buzzed on my nightstand and I jumped, I slowly brought it to me face-down and peeked at the contact. I let out a large sigh of relief when I realized it was just Syn and opened it.

Syn: Both of you be in the foyer in 10 minutes.

I didn't know why he always felt the need to be early, but right now it was working against my favor. Of course, I wanted to see Cleo and Caspian, but I also wanted to buy more time. Everything was moving so quickly.

Me: 20 minutes.

Syn: I said 10.

Me: Queen asked for 20.

Lying wasn't something I wanted to do at the moment but seeing no other alternative, I did it. But to be fair Queen was taking a long time anyway.

Syn: Fine.

I snickered as I read his text and I shook my head. He was also so adamant about never letting anyone hold any sort of power over him yet here he was. Whipped.

A knock sounded at my door and my head snapped towards it in confusion. "Come in."

The door opened and Jess walked in, closing the door behind her. I rolled my eyes as I saw that she still looked as beautiful as always. In my pissed state, I was hoping she became a troll so she wouldn't have such an effect on me.

"Hey," she said as she tucked a loose strand of her straight hair behind her ear.

"Why are you here?" I asked. She looked hurt by my question, but quickly replaced her expression with one of determination.

"I wanted to apologize. For everything."

I remained silent as I looked at her with a blank look. I already knew where this conversation was headed. She was going to tell me how sorry she was about kissing me and how much she regretted it.

She ran her hands down the sides of her black mini dress and took a deep breath. "I know you're pissed and you have every right to be. But I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have led you to believe we were anything more than friends."

X, I call bullshit.

I inwardly scoffed at my inner friend in disagreement. She sounded sincere, besides regardless of what happened between us, she wasn't a liar. There was nothing wrong with her at all, she just doesn't like me.

"You're forgiven," I said softly.

She smiled as she scurried toward me and wrapped her arms around my neck in a gleeful hug. Generally, I was big hugger but right now I didn't feel like it. I wasn't angry with her but that didn't mean I was ready to become her best friend.

I still needed time and much-needed distance, especially since her ex was back in the picture.

She pulled away and stood up and she looked down at me from where I sat on the bed. "I don't know if you know, but Nate is coming tonight."

"Is he actually coming though?" I said dryly.

"I think so. He's changing." She said with a grin as she looked off somewhere behind me.

I recognized that far-off look from Genesis and Lucifer. They both got it when they talked about one another and my blood boiled as I realized that she was doing it for him. For a man who left her after finding out she was having his baby.

Is that what she was into? Assholes? I wonder if I had been an absolute prick to her, would things have been different?

Never too late to start.

That was definitely true. But that wasn't who I was. It would literally pain me to be a dick to someone who didn't deserve it. The phrase nice guys finish last replayed in my mind like a broken record, making my situation more ironic.

She looked ecstatic as she mentioned him and the pit of my stomach began to convulse. Realization finally set in that she truly was never going to leave that man. Wishing that I could have someone who would do that for me, I sighed.

"I'm happy for you," I said with a smile. Though inside I was crumbling. All thoughts of her when I was ignorant of her true feelings burst in my mind like a million grenades and my chest ached.

Jess beamed down at me and rubbed her stomach. "Thank you. We're going to be a happy family."

"Definitely," I added sweetly, even though the words tasted bitter on my tongue.

"You're the sweetest guy ever." She said. "I hope we stay friends for a long time."

I don't.

"Same."