"Some memories never leave your bones, like salt in the sea; they become part of you and you carry them."

-Anonymous

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A person would first notice the framed pictures that decorated the walls. The vibrant smiles captured in them gave the 'house' a feeling of 'home'.

A soft-blue sofa shone with neon-green pillows atop it. The slate-gray walls served as the perfect backdrop to the living area's bright shades.

The floor was made of milky-white granite, which gleamed under the huge, crystal chandelier.

Ivan sighed as he looked at the light-turquoise clock. He ran his hands through his dark hair, adjusting them one more time.

If Mrs. Moore found out that a party was to be held at her home, then earthquakes and thunderstorms would erupt. Yep, literally, no kidding.

Ivan rubbed his palms together, knowing that his classmates would be arriving soon.

To say that he wasn't nervous would be a big lie.

Ever since he had informed Max that the party would be held at his house, he didn't seem too happy about it.

Max didn't appear as cheerful as he usually did. His smile appeared dim. Ivan could sense that something was bothering him.

Before he could ask about the matter, Max questioned, "Will Gold be here soon?"

Ivan shrugged and bit his bottom lip to stop smiling. "I last saw Bold from my window. She was twirling around in her black dress like a little girl."

He couldn't help but let out a short laugh. While sobering himself, he noticed Max shaking his head at him, an amused grin on his face. "Didn't know dogs could stalk as well."

He rolled his eyes and punched Max's shoulder. He was about to say more but was cut short by several knocks on the door.

Max opened the door, letting in Ashley, Sarah, Riva, and Ruby. All four of them had donned similar black dresses.

The dress code was kept black because Ivan loved the color. He was clad in a black sweatshirt and black denim jeans.

Max, on the other hand, wore a black T-shirt with the quote 'I'm on that new diet where you eat everything and hope for a miracle' printed on it. Blue baggy jeans and a leather jacket completed his look.

"Hi," Ashley greeted the boys with a small smile. Her makeup was minimal, which made her look like an actual person instead of a doll.

The boys greeted her back and nodded at the other three girls who were openly checking them out. They giggled amongst themselves, their lipstick-clad lips whispering stuff to each other.

Then fell the most dreaded thing in a party, or any event in fact-- an awkward silence.

The boys stared dumbly at the girls who stared back at them blankly like toys.

"So..." Ivan began, rubbing the back of his neck, but stopped when he noticed the twins at the door. He sighed in relief at their arrival.

"I told you we would be late," Elena chided Kate who raised her palms in the air.

The twins had donned black, knee-length dresses. The tops fitted their upper bodies and flared into fluffy skirts.

While laced sleeves covered Elena's elbows, Kate chose to wear a white jacket to accessorize her dress.

The twins walked towards Max, noticing him chatting with Ashley about a vase held in her hands.

"Hey, sunflower!" Kate greeted Max with a grin. Ivan noticed Max smiling weakly at her before resuming chatting with Ashley.

Ivan noticed the fall of Kate's face as she sat on the sofa. More people came inside Max's house and now the chattering grew louder.

Some of them started helping themselves to the vast amount of food placed on a large table at one corner.

Ivan had to say that Max had great knowledge about food. He had ordered pizzas, burgers, salads, muffins, pies, soft drinks and different fruit juices upon the latter's advice.

Elena clapped her hands to announce that the music was about to play. Ivan looked at her and found his own lips tugged upwards into a small smile.

He sauntered towards her and took her by surprise when he placed both of his hands around her small waist. She attempted to go towards Kate but he didn't let her.

People started pairing up as the music played softly in the background. Ivan beamed softly noticing everyone's happy faces.

He noticed Kate frowning, almost glaring at Sarah's back. Max laughed at something Sarah had said and the two stood very close to each other.

His eyes flickered back to Elena's dark ones, which glittered under the gold eyeshadow dusted on her eyelids.

He took both her palms gently and wrapped them around his neck. They swayed right and left along with the music.

"You didn't say hi to me," Ivan stated with a pout.

"I'm sorry if I hurt your icy heart, Van." She scoffed and then smiled at him.

Dang! He couldn't believe how a person who resided devils in her eyes, could have an angelic smile on her lips.

He gazed deeply into her coffee-brown eyes and found her doing the same. He could sense a challenge of some sort in those orbs of her.

But what was her challenge?

As they continued swaying, Ivan felt something at the back of his mind.

Something that had to do with her brown eyes--the eyes that felt familiar to him.

"Who are you?" he whispered, his voice came out an octave higher than he had intended to.

This caught Elena by surprise as she raised her thin eyebrow at him. He could see a hint of sadness in her face.

"It's me, El."

As he stared into her dark eyes once again, a fuzzy image formed in front of his own blue ones.

"It's me, El."

His own laughter echoed in the park. "I know, I know. How can I forget my Coffee?"

"My Coffee."

She giggled... short laughs that seemed like stones causing ripples in the water.

"Van," Elena called out softly. Ivan, shaken away from thoughts, found their noses almost touching.

"You seriously need to take lessons on personal space," she stated. Ivan could notice a faint, rosy color tinting her fair cheeks.

"Go away, Van. You're in my personal space."

"Don't you want me to kiss you?"

Embarrassed giggles filled the air around him as the girl buried her face in her hands.

"Van?" Elena whispered. Ivan found her patting his cheek hesitantly. "Are you okay?"

Ivan glanced at her confusedly as he was now thrown back to reality. He found her hold loosened around his neck as she stepped back.

Ivan held her wrist and pulled her closer to him, messing her hair that was curled softly at the ends.

"The dance isn't over, Russo."

He slowly brought his face closer to hers, noticing her staring wide-eyed at him.

"My personal space--"

He shushed her, his lips almost touching hers as he heard her intake a breath sharply.

"You are mine, there's nothing personal here," he whispered and placed a soft kiss on her right cheek.

He felt her stiffen and then relax slowly, the usual smirk back on her face. "Being cheesy doesn't suit you, you know?"

He chuckled at her. "There's something on your face--"

"Beauty, I know." She fanned herself as she ran a hand through her long hair dramatically.

"No." He grinned while touching both her cheeks. "Blush, or 'blushes' in your case."

Though embarrassed, she tried to appear unfazed.

He found her pinching his cheeks hard. "See? Now you're pink in the face too."

With that, she moved away from him with a giggle, her feline walk never failing to impress him.

Leaving him alone, Elena moved to her sister and Ashley who had already been chatting.

Ivan gazed at the twins with a broad smile. He felt that they had managed to make a place in his heart, despite his rude behavior.

The void in his heart and in his life seemed to be filled with their warm and quirky personalities.

His gaze flickered to Max who waltzed with Sarah. He frowned at this because Max had danced with most of the girls except Kate.

Ivan didn't know why Max was ignoring Kate, but he knew that the latter was upset about it. He found her pouring herself juice in the corner.

He ambled towards her and took the plastic cup from her hand. He handed her his palm and looked at her expectantly.

She raised an eyebrow at that.

He sighed as he grabbed her small palms, wrapping them around his neck.

"Pitying me?" Kate asked. Ivan could sense bitterness lacing her serious voice.

"Don't be ridiculous," he answered. He was sure that if he agreed with her, she would push him away. She had a proud self since the beginning.

Kate clenched her jaw but didn't say anything. Ivan swayed with her, the way he did with Elena, but this felt entirely different.

In between their dance, Max arrived near them to have a drink. He looked at him, seriousness set in his mouth. Ivan noticed the way he had closed his fist tightly. He raised an eyebrow at that, but Max didn't wait to answer.

Ivan found Max situated a little away from them, almost glaring at his and Kate's closeness.

Ivan stopped dancing and stepped away from Kate.

The music turned upbeat and some of them started dancing solo. Some danced crazily in pairs while others did chicken dance behind Elena.

Behind her formed a line of people who danced the same way she did. Ivan grinned at this and held Kate's palm, taking her with him.

Left behind was Max who stood near the table with a crestfallen face. He gulped the juice in his cup and poured himself more.

His forehead was covered in sweat and his cheeks looked flushed. His left fist was closed so tightly that his nerves almost bulged out.

Several boys and girls danced to make their way back to the table. Ivan came over by Max's side to notice him trembling slightly.

"Are you okay, buddy?" Ivan asked slowly, but Max couldn't understand what he asked.

The music grew louder and people danced faster with each beat. Suddenly, Ivan felt a group of people push into him from behind.

He crashed into the table and the jugs filled with juice fell, spreading like a red river. Shards of glass and the juice littered the once white floor.

People gasped simultaneously as silence filled the air. Most of them stood with their mouths covered by their palms. Ivan frowned at their shocked faces as he composed himself.

But what made him have his heart in his mouth was the fallen body of Max in the pool of the red juice.

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Hey, everyone! 🙆 How are you all doing? I'm back with a new chapter. :D

So, what do you think about Ivan and the way he danced with Elena?

What do you think about the flashback? What can you gather from it?

Why do you think Max is ignoring Kate? Any idea what's up with him?

What do you think of the ending lines? What do you think happened to Max?

Did you like this update? Please say yes. *pouts*

What was your favorite part (if any) in this chapter?

Please let me know if I can improve in any way. If any part is confusing, please ask me in the comments.

Like this chapter and the previous ones? Kindly leave a vote to show that you like what I write. :) Thank you so much for reading. 💟

Sneak-Peek of Episode 28:

Any idea what made him angry? Stayed tuned to find out in the next one.

Spoiler: "MIKE (Max, Ivan, Kate and Elena) having a sleepover?"

Author: "Shh!"

Keep smiling! 💕
Lots of love❤💙
Sakina

VOTE, COMMENT, SHARE AND FOLLOW❣

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