J U P I T E R

"I'm still dumbfounded, trying to process what just happened! I can't believe you're standing right in front of me, Jupiter. Look at you, girl." Maya slowly nodded her head with eyes the size of saucers as I giggled shyly at the compliment.

I can hardly believe the girl that looked much younger than her age with the body of a goddess had the audacity to compliment my matured looks.

Our friendship was the soft colours of nature, one that will last a lifetime. It cradled my soul and kept me warm in the depths over the past years. I don't regret ever getting my paths crossed with theirs. In the rapture of their cordial presence and comradeship, I was always free. Free from my personal issues and trauma.

I can vividly remember the times we spent together. Whether it was after school or during the break time, it was always filled with joy and gratitude, and was a divine pleasure. They made me happy and filled my life with adventures and beautiful memories. I appreciated Daisy and Eric because it was through them I joined the group. For this reason, Eric will forever hold a special place in my heart.

My former friends laughed and I took my time to inspect their new looks. There appearances made me feel out of place with the girls looking like balls of spitfires and the guys transformed into polite gentlemen unlike seven years ago when they were rough around the edges. "Not bad yourself. Can't compare myself with you."

"I can't believe it's being like, seven years. I'm still trying to come to terms with the events happening all of a sudden. Jupiter returned, Hazel turned seven, I got promoted. Man, time's speeding real quick." Daisy said from beside me. The buzzing of the crowd filled my ears as I smiled, enjoying the beautiful moment.

"Seven years since I met you and you became a part of me, the love of my life." I peeked from the corner of my eyes and saw Zack staring affectionately at Daisy.

His hand was casually draping around her shoulder as she brushed back a lock of hair behind her ear to hide her flushed cheeks. I felt a tumble of emotions inside me and mentally scolded myself for being a little envious of my best friend.

Apparently, Zack has being chasing after her for seven years to no avail. I figured out Daisy was still traumatised by what happened between them and didn't want hurt Zack by forcing him into an uncomfortable position yet again.

Daisy can be as stubborn as a mule but she was worth the chase. I didn't want to interfere in their relationship but I wished I had someone as good as Zack. Someone who would treat me like a treasure and look at me with adoring, sparkling eyes.

"Yep, seven years since we became good friends." Daisy said instead, glancing at Zack with a perfectly arched eyebrow. Zack smiled mischievously but said nothing.

"But seriously Jupiter, we're grateful to see you again. It's being a very long time and we're glad you reached out to us." Shawn slightly bobbed his head and grinned at me. My heart melted and I returned the smile.

"Hey guys!"

Time stopped and I froze when I heard the feminine voice from behind me. My heart picked up a pace and I sent a silent prayer to the creator above to not be the person I thought it was. Let it just be another person with a resembling voice because I can't deal with this at the moment.

Slowly craning my neck, I gulped as I turned around. I felt my heart stopped when my eyes met not just one but two set of eyes.

Nothing magical happened.

Amy was standing with her arm linked with Eric's as they stared at me confusedly. I internally gulped as a shiver rushed down my body and engulfed me in a shocked stance. My hands turned into fists as I tightly squeezed the edge of my dress. This was the least place I expected to find them.

After what happened in the morning, I was skeptical about living under the same roof with them for another day. My heart felt like it was wretched out of my chest when I saw Eric pressed Amy against his body and whispered the words I was dying for a man to tell me. I didn't realise I was that desperate until after they left and engaged myself in a deep thought.

I knew it was intentional and Eric did it to hurt me. He was successful but I wasn't going to let him get to me. Seven years of practice with Joey wouldn't go in vain. I've loved and lost, and it wasn't the first time I lost someone so precious to me.

My mother's beautiful smile still lingered in my head and the picture of my joyful father stroking her hair benignly was as clear as crystal. Eric meant the world to me once but reality clashed and I had to focus on my future and what I can benefit from. Giving up on Eric meant he'll find someone better on the same league as him. Unlike me.

"What a coincidence, Jupiter. What are you doing here?" Amy half yelled, her expression that of a surprised person. They remained quiet, obviously thinking how my ex's fiancée was knows me. My glance drifted towards Eric's hooded gaze before returning back to Amy's.

"Actually, Eric and I have mutual friends and one of them is Daisy Coleman. She is my best friend and she invited me to the party." I explained as Amy slowly nods her head in understanding.

She glanced at Eric briefly before letting go of his arm and clapping her hands. "I didn't know you're that close to Eric and I'm actually friends with them too!" She said in a high pitched voice before turning her attention back to them. It was a very awkward and tensed situation but no one complained.

I calmly watch as she hugged each of them as a way of delivering her greetings. The way she talked to them gave me the impression they were very close and spent their times together. Amy was open as she chatted with them and I felt a pang of jealousy in my chest. My lips formed a thin line as I tried my hardest to stop the trembling.

"Jupiter is actually the Cuban photographer I was talking to you about! She lives with us in our apartment" Amy enlightened them and I saw their eyed widened. Daisy nudged me but I rolled my eyes and indicated we'll talk later.

"And you guys live together?" Leslie casually asked as she took a sip from her drink.

"Yeah, Jupiter doesn't mind" This time, Eric responded. I kept my mouth shut to avoid saying the wrong thing.

Leslie shook her head slowly before raising her cup at me. "More power to you, queen" She hilariously said and everyone except Amy understood.

"So, you guys stopped by somewhere? I mean you left me back home yet you met me here" I decided to change the topic.

Eric pulled Amy back to his arms and she leaned her head against his shoulder. My eyes darted for a second before I took a deep breath and shifted my attention back to them. "Yeah, we stopped at my parents' place and the shopping mall to get Hazel a gift."

A thought surged inside my brain. "Oh, that reminds me I haven't met the birthday girl yet. Daisy, can you please take me to meet her and deliver my birthday wishes?"

Daisy smiled in reply and we excused ourselves from the group. Immediately, Daisy grabbed my arm to pull me closer as we walk. "Why didn't you tell me you're living with Eric and his fiancée and working for them? Don't you think that's a little uncomfortable for you?"

The question wasn't so surprising for I expected to come sooner or later. "Daisy, I've already moved on and I don't care about Eric any longer. We're grown ups now and we can sort things out easily. Living with them doesn't affect me at all. I'm staying there for a couple of weeks and then I'll leave."

"You're such a horrible liar, Jupiter. I think you forgot I was your best friend and I can read you like an open book. I saw the look you had on your face when you saw them together." She exclaimed.

"What about that?" I annoyingly questioned.

"You were jealous, and don't even think about arguing. It's a normal instinct for you to feel that way when you see your ex with a new girlfriend."

I cackled and glared at her. "Says the girl that refused to talk about her private life with her best friend. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to take some photographs for the birthday" I wasn't looking at my way as my eyes were focused on retrieving the camera from my bag.

Suddenly, I bumped into a hard chest and my bag slipped out of my grasp. I lost my footing and the thought of what lay behind chilled me to the bone. My heart was raging in my chest as I shut my eyelids and await the impact.

But it never came.

You guys curious to know who the guy is?! The next chapter will be uploaded on Friday(:

Don't forget to vote, comment your thoughts and share to support me. See you in the next chapter❤