The chilling grasp of October's autumn had slowly crept in, noticeable in the cooling breeze that nipped at my skin.

Skylar had been somewhat distant since the bathroom incident a few weeks ago. Her usual acknowledgment of my presence waned. It was as if I had grown dull in her eyes. But Joey remained a constant source of sweetness, always kind to me. We'd connect through our calls like lifelines binding us together. Surprisingly, our conversations revealed shared interests.

It's finally the weekend, a day I can take a break from school studies and the couple taking up my thoughts. I found refuge in my job at the coffee shop. As usual, the scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloped me, filling the air with its comforting aroma. Yet, today, it was different.

That once-comforting fragrance of coffee had now transformed into a harbinger of discomfort. My stomach churned, and I grappled with a growing urge to vomit as I took orders and prepared drinks. It was as if the aroma of coffee had become my sworn enemy, engaged in a feud with my stomach.

Amidst the coffee machine's cacophony, an all-too-familiar voice pierced through the noise. "Hey, you're the cutie," a man's voice called out. Looking up, I recognized him as the bartender from Skylar's club. The charm that had initially caught my attention remained evident, adorned with a charming smile.

He had trimmed his curly blonde hair, but that charming smile still adorned his face. "Yeah, it's nice to see you," I said, trying to keep my composure.

As we conversed, I learned his name was Damian, a graduate student. Though the conversation was engaging, something about the coffee shop's aroma continued to unsettle me. I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"Well, I have to go. Would you like to go on a date next week? I think you're a cool person and would love to get to know you," he casually said as he wrote his number down. Once he handed it to me, he placed $20 in the tip jar. The rest of my shift went well except for the vomit that came up.

May and I found ourselves immersed in our cozy evening ritual, basking in the warm glow of our friendship and the gentle luminescence of the movie playing on the screen. As we settled into the comfort of the moment, I felt the weight of my concerns bearing down like a storm cloud threatening to disrupt our tranquility.

The movie paused, a testament to May's unwavering support and ability to give her full attention when a friend needed it most. Without a word, she patted the chair beside her. To allow me to know I could delve into my trouble.

I took a deep breath, ready to unburden myself. "Well, May, the bartender guy from a couple of weeks ago asked me on a date," I began, feeling a mix of anxiety and reluctance about the situation. The words tumbled out. May nodded, encouraging me to continue.

"I'm supposed to focus on excelling this semester and not relationship troubles," I admitted, my voice tinged with concern for the future.

"Don't let Alex deter you," May said, a trace of annoyance in her voice. Alex, a factor that had previously shaken my resolve, was only one piece of the puzzle.

"I should have gone to Minnesota and kicked his ass," she added with a hint of anger, offering a smile that managed to lighten my mood.

It wasn't Alex who kept me on defense, but a couple. My mind wandered back to the couple who had recently occupied my thoughts, Skylar and Joey. I contemplated my complex feelings, knowing that the intricacies of their relationship only added to my uncertainty about dating.

"I am slowly over him," I confessed, my voice revealing the swirl of emotions within me.

"If you'd like, Jake and I could accompany you on the date. It could become a double date," she offered a solution, helping me on my first date with someone other than Alex.

"You deserve to enjoy your life," she expresses. May's fiery suggestion made me smile. "You deserve happiness," she insisted. Damian was something new, something that could bring joy into my life.

I agreed with May, and we decided to spend our evening watching a Hobbit movie marathon. We indulged in fun, playing games and catching up on each other's lives. I learned that May would be meeting Jake's grandparents when they visited next month, providing her with a source of stress.

I confirmed the date with Damian through text, relieved he didn't take offense or anger over my invitation to May and Jake.

Late that evening, Joey's call caught me off guard. We typically spoke during the day, so this late call was a surprise. I answered sleepily, struggling to keep my eyes open. His husky voice greeted my drowsy response.

"You were sleeping," Joey spoke, his voice laced with warmth.

"Yeah, but it's okay," I replied, stifling a yawn.

"Oh, sorry for calling so late. The time difference, I forgot, but I'll let you go back to sleep. Thanks for answering," Joey apologized before ending the call. I received a text soon after, reinforcing that he was a great guy.

Joey was more than the heartbreaker his appearance suggested. Joey was a sweet and caring person. He shared stories of accompanying his dad to London to ensure his brother didn't miss a party with friends. It was a gesture of kindness that touched my heart. Joey also recounted nursing a baby bird this week, revealing a tenderness behind his tattoos, each with a meaningful story.

Skylar and Joey's relationship remained a compelling mystery to me. The complexity of their dynamic became more evident when Joey playfully remarked about me kissing his girlfriend. It surprised me that Skylar had shared the encounter with Joey but had omitted her involvement.

The weekend arrived swiftly, and my date with Damian drew near. As May, Jake, and I entered the theater, my heart danced with excitement and anxiety.

"I thought you were going to ditch me," Damian chuckled as he greeted me.

"No, I wouldn't have," I said, blushing a little as I introduced him to May and Jake.

The atmosphere in the theater changed when Joey's deep voice resonated through the air, followed by Skylar's enchanting laughter. I tried to avoid looking in their direction, but curiosity won the battle.

When I finally mustered the courage to glance at them, I found Joey's face contorted in anger as he fixed a piercing gaze on a guy who was goading at Skylar. Skylar, on the other hand, seemed genuinely happy and carefree, her laughter illuminating the room.

Skylar had on a baggy brown sweater over white mini shorts. Joey wore a white sweater matched with brown cargo pants. They always wear matching outfits even though Joey declared they don't plan it.

Nicole's eyes shifted toward me, and it didn't escape her notice. Realization dawned on her, and she subtly directed Skylar's attention toward me. At that moment, Damian's presence brought me back to reality as he arrived with our movie tickets, his hand reaching for mine.

Joey and Skylar, accompanied by friends Nicole and Ethan, approached us. To my surprise, Skylar acted like a friend, hugging me even as Damian and I held hands.

Joey's glare only intensified as he witnessed Damian and me holding hands. As the tension between them grew, I kept my eyes away from Skylar, who had an award-winning smile while her eyes burned fury at me. I struggled to comprehend the conflicting signals she was sending.

"Jake hardly hung out with you all semester," Ethan said as he gave Jake a bro hug.

"I have been busy all semester, " Jake casually said with a smile.

Joey inquired about the movie we were watching, which confused May.

"Didn't you kick us out of your clubs a few weeks ago," May glared at them, not into playing pleasantries.

" Sky, you kicked them out of your club," Nicole chuckled.

"Sorry about that! Skylar can sometimes be sensitive when ignored. Like a spoiled kid," Ethan mockingly teased as Joey menacingly glared at him.

"Yes, Sky can be bratty, but don't call her a kid," Joey joked as Skylar grew a pout. I never have ever seen her cute pout.

"Anyway, which movie are you all watching? It would be fun to hang out with friends and show our apologies for our baby friend," Nicole asked, and Damian answered.

Joey asked if I minded. It didn't feel like a question, more like a statement that we were hanging out together. "It's okay," I whispered, and May stated, "Yes," I knew they were joining us regardless.

Together, we entered the movie theater. Damian sat on my left, Skylar on my right. As the movie unfolded, I started to feel the theater's chill. Damian offered me his jacket, an act that didn't go unnoticed by Skylar, who couldn't help but snort in amusement.

The tension in the theater was tangible, and I could feel Skylar's frustration even as she put on a friendly facade. At one point, she suggested we go to the bathroom for "girl talk."

May stood up to join us, but Nicole skillfully dissuaded her, persuading her that Skylar and I needed to talk. I agree since I didn't want May to know what happened between us. Once in the bathroom, Skylar steered us toward the handicapped bathroom and closed the door.

She turned to me with her piercing blue eyes locked onto mine.

"What are you doing?" she questioned, her eyebrows furrowing with frustration. I remained quiet, unable to articulate my feelings. The tension between us grew palpable, and the sense of an impending storm loomed. The memories I felt a couple of weeks ago, being in a bathroom with her, made me feel warm.

"You're hurting Joey, and I hate that," she glared as she approached me.

In a moment of confusion, I leaned in, and our lips brushed together, but it didn't have the effect I hoped for. Skylar's reaction was one of annoyance as she pushed me away.

"End this," she warned as she left.

Without needing to say more, I understood. Skylar was referring to the date with Damian, and her words left me feeling sick and conflicted. I stayed in the bathroom for a while. They were a happy couple, but I was left struggling to find my place in the intricate web of emotions.

As I returned to my seat, I saw that Joey and Skylar were no longer sitting with us. Confusion and frustration colored my expression because Nicole and Ethan stayed. Damian offered me some of his drinks.

"They had some business to take care of," Nicole said, shedding little light on the mystery, but I knew they only came to be torn in my heart.

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