Through the crowd, Arwen had lost sight of Xander. They had been talking earlier in the night, but had gotten separated. Now, she weaved her way through the throng of people, looking for him. She spotted several familiar faces, but not the one she was looking for.Â
She couldn’t remember the lounge ever being more packed. Where was he? A few friends called out her name and she smiled and waved at them, but continued one her way. Finally, after about a quarter of an hour’s searching, she found him. She let out a sight of relief and started toward him, but froze when she realized he was not alone. He was talking to someone and it took Arwen a few seconds to recognize her. Riley.
Arwen hadn’t seen her since the night Riley and Xander’s relationship had ended. Now, here she was. Arwen’s heart constricted at the sight of the two of them together. For a moment, all she could do was stare as she was torn with indecision, part of her want to turn and run away before either noticed her or to interrupt them and draw attention to her presence. She bit her lip, trying to decide what to do.
@rileyxthompson, @rileduprylie, @xanderscrimgeour
Riley had been having a better time than even she’d expected - she still didn’t know what to feel about Xander, and having everyone all together made it even easier to slip back into their old habits. It also helped that she was fairly drunk, but for one night, she wanted not to think about it. To just let loose and have a good time, like there was nothing complicated going on in her life. “Do you know -” She murmured, the alcohol making it way too easy to admit things she should probably keep quiet as she toyed with the ring she’d decided to wear around her neck for the night - Xander’s ring - her old engagement ring, which up until tonight had been sitting at the bottom of her jewelry box. “That you were my last New Year’s kiss? Merlin, that’s sad, isn’t it?” She laughed, shaking her head.Â
Glancing around, she tried to locate her friends. She felt slightly guilty. She’d dragged them all here, and felt like she was spending most of her time with her ex. Her eyes landed on a familiar face, but not that of Rylie’s or David’s. “Arwen!” She cried, lighting up in excitement as she waved her over. “Xan!” She chastised, turning back to the man for a moment. “You didn’t tell me she was here!”
Xander’s gaze was transfixed. The moment she had begun fiddling with what he clearly recognized as the engagement ring he had given her he had felt a surge of hope, of possibility and positivity flood through him. She hadn’t thrown it out, hell, she hadn’t even hidden it away. She was there, in his bar, wearing his ring. Alright, so it wasn’t on her finger, it wasn’t like they were engaged again, but it had to mean something, it’s not like she’d wear it by accident. He was going to respond, to tell her that he hadn’t had a New Year’s kiss since her either, that if it was sad then at least they were in good company, but her sudden excitement had him thrown and as much as he hated himself for thinking it, he couldn’t help but be somewhat disappointed at the fact she had found his best friend, that their conversation was clearly no longer a private one.
Looking towards where she had spotted Arwen he threw his friend a slightly strained smile as he noticed another familiar face behind her. His lips pursed at the sight and he turned back to her with a forced smile. “You didn’t tell me Ryan was here either,” he responded, watching as the man came over. “Merlin, I hope he’s not going to hex me,” he muttered as much to himself as his ex. “Ryan!” he spoke in a rather fake friendly tone, “good to see you, how have you been?”