24. Alana
ALANA
Eden had his arm draped over the back of my seat as he was arguing with Professor Thompson about the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work and business models.
While for once, I thought business class was almost interesting, I couldn’t concentrate on Eden’s arguments because the girls sitting behind us were chatting. Not just about anything. About me and Eden.
I tried my best to ignore their whispers, but it was hard to focus on anything else. Their hushed voices carried words that sliced through me like shards of glass.
I knew people were talking about us. More so ever since Eden posted a picture of us online last night. And probably even more after Eden reposted a story of us in front of the arena, kissing.
His friends meant well, I thought. But did they really need to take a picture of us kissing and post it online with the caption “Eden’s so fucked”?
A lot of Eden’s little fan club hated me because I was, apparently, stealing their man. If only they knew our relationship was entirely based on conditions and personal gains.
I stole a glance at Eden, who was still engrossed in his debate with Professor Thompson. His eyebrows furrowed in concentration, his eyes sparkling with passion.
God, he really loved business, didn’t he?
But I couldn’t help but wonder… Did he hear what they were saying behind us? Did he care?
Never mind, this was Eden. He didn’t care about anything. In fact, if he heard it, it was probably feeding his massive ego.
“He could have someone so much better,” one of the girls said, but I couldn’t make out which one it was.
“Bet he can’t even lift her,” another one added, laughing. “If he tries, she’s going to break the poor guy.”
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and my heart sank into the pit of my stomach as my eyes began to sting with tears.
Why did people always have to make comments about other people’s bodies? I already dreaded looking into the mirror; there was no need to remind me what I looked like compared to other women.
Then again, these girls didn’t know me. They couldn’t insult me any other way.
My dad always used to say that if someone can’t insult your intelligence, they’ll go for your looks, no matter the size of your body.
It might’ve been the only time he had an actual point.
But the comments still hurt, and they were going to continue to hurt for a while.
As soon as Professor Thompson decided to include the rest of the class in this debate, giving Eden a little break, he turned to face me for a brief moment before his gaze fell on the girls behind us.
Guess he did hear them talk after all.
One of the girls shrieked and the other gasped when Eden looked at them over his shoulder.
I didn’t bother to turn around and look at them as I didn’t want faces to the voices in my head. If they stayed anonymous, I could always pretend it was me saying all those things to myself. That I was fighting against myself, not other people.
“It’s my birthday today, Eden,” one of the girls said. “You have to come.”
“I’ll pass,” Eden replied, his tone cold. I’d never heard him speak in such a harsh tone before. He turned back around, now wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
“You could at least wish me a happy birthday.”
A humorless chuckle slipped past his lips. “Nothing about your birthday is a reason to celebrate, Clara.”
Clara.
Why did he know her name?
It shouldn’t have bothered me as much as it did, I admit, but it somehow managed to sting more than her stupid comments.
He had a past, I knew that, and I couldn’t feel anything about it. Even if our relationship had been real, it wasn’t fair to get mad because he didn’t even know me, had no relationship with me in any way, when he met any of them.
And still, I didn’t like that he knew her name.
“You thought otherwise last year,” Clara said, almost sounding like she was getting upset. “In fact, if I remember correctly, you suggested doing it again this year. We had fun, didn’t we?”
Eden’s grip on my shoulder tightened as he took a deep breath. Then he turned back around. I didn’t.
“Didn’t I puke on you?” he asked. “Like, ten seconds after you were undressed?”
Clara let out an embarrassed, forced laugh, attempting to play it off. “That was only one time, Eden. And you know I can handle a little vomit.”
Now, that was pathetic. Guess Eden drew the same conclusion.
“I’m good, really. Actually, you know, I’d rather not throw up again upon seeing someone naked. And I don’t know about you, Clara, but cheating on the love of my life really isn’t my thing, so, I’ll stick to my girlfriend.”
That said, he turned back around, giving me a quick wink and a smirk before flicking his gaze back to the front of the class.
The love of my life… Yeah, in a whole different universe maybe.