they hadn't actually spoken to each other for a while, but because they hung out in the same circles, it had been impossible not to run into her occasionally. they had done a good job of ignoring each other so far, but on this night it seemed like the room was filled with unspoken tension. aiden had found himself sitting on a counter in the kitchen, inhaling from an expertly rolled joint, when she'd come at him like an artillery squad, wielding words as weapons. the man was aware that cheating on her with her best friend had been fucked up, but they had both moved on. hadn't they? aiden assumed so, since he'd seen her wrapped around some guy at another party the previous week. despite the jealousy that had unfurled in his chest at the sight, he'd managed to leave her be. but there she was, standing in front of him like a woman on a mission. "you don't need to remind me i'm your worst fucking mistake!" he shouted in return, muscles in his neck straining at how loudly his words sounded. he'd finally had enough. people around them backed away, too drunk or high to actually care about their mutual outbursts. aiden pushed himself off the counter, moving so he pushed her against the wall with his chest against hers. "it's not like i wanted you anyway," he jabbed, "you were nothing more than a convenient way to pass the time." his words were laced with venom as he lied through his teeth, attempting to push her away enough that she'd leave him be. "so get over yourself!"