You’d felt Sofia’s eyes on you ever since you’d stepped foot in Rafe’s frat house. For some reason, she hadn’t gotten the memo that she’d won. Rafe had chosen her over you, breaking up with you a few months ago to get back together with her. She seemed slightly obsessed with you, if you were honest. You’d heard from Sarah that she constantly brought you up in conversation. Making little digs, like calling you a boring Barbie, and telling Rafe how smart he had been to break up with you.

Rafe stood beside Sofia, trying to keep his cool. She was really getting on his nerves tonight, and it was getting harder to not snap at her. Her fingers were digging into his waist, like she was actually clinging on to him, worried he’d leave her if she let go. She was barely paying attention to him now, and he knew it was because you’d showed up. Her eyes had been following you around the house. She’d commented that you looked tacky and he’d bit his tongue. He knew she was insecure about you, but he was getting pissed off at the way she always insulted you, when it was all unprovoked. Since he’d dumped you for her, you’d kept a wide berth from him and Sofia. It kind of bothered him that you didn’t seem more hung up about the breakup.

You glanced over at Rafe, when you heard Sofia saying your name. You could see he was annoyed by the way his jaw was clenched. He rubbed the back of his head and you could feel the frustration radiating off of him. He must have felt your eyes on him, because he turned his gaze away from Sofia and locked eyes with you. There was a hint of regret in them, and you couldn’t help but wonder if he was missing you, or if he was just annoyed by Sofia discussing you.

“How much longer are we going to spend talking about her?” You hear him ask Sofia through gritted teeth. “It’s a party. It’s supposed to be fun, why do you keep bringing her up?” He huffs in annoyance and Sofia bristles beside him, clearly annoyed that he was calling out her behaviour.

“I’m just saying she should know that trash isn’t welcome here” she whines back at him. He throws his hands up in frustration, before taking a big gulp of his whiskey.

You can’t resist stirring the pot. You’re still pissed off at Rafe for breaking up with you to get back with her. He’d blindsided you with that decision. You were good at acting nonchalant on the outside, despite the hurt you still felt. You close the distance between you, sidling up next to Rafe. You bite back a grin when you see the annoyance flash in Sofia’s eyes.

“I just had to say, it’s actually sweet all the time you’ve spent on talking about me, Sofia. I’ve really got to hand it to you, no guy has ever put in that much effort. It’s precious. Adorable” you smile condescendingly at her.

Beside you, Rafe chokes back a laugh. He’d always enjoyed the way you never shied away from confrontation. You were feisty and stubborn, and you had a smart mouth that you used expertly to put people in their place. He’d always admired it. And it was one of the things he found himself missing most about you now that he was back with a girl who spent the majority of her time shit talking others. If he was less prideful, he’d admit now that he’d made a mistake in breaking up with you. He’d pull you aside to a dark corner and make you forget he’d been so stupid, remind you just how good the two of you were together.

“She’s got a point, Sofia. It’s getting tired” he says gruffly to his girlfriend, ignoring the way she squeezes his arm in annoyance. It’s clear that she’s pissed he’s agreeing with you, but he can’t find it in him to care.