15 Wait... I forgot I'm not the only guy in the world

Her hair was now way shorter than the last time he saw her, bouncing and waving as she twirled. She was smiling brightly, enjoying the moment like there was nothing to worry about. She was shining, shadowing everyone and everything around her.

Allen was so completely stunned by her, he didn't realize it at first, but when it hit him, his eyes averted to the tall man leading her body around. His stomach rolled as he detailed the guy, painfully realizing he was incredibly attractive. He could watch her around other guys, but watching her so lightheaded and happy around one made him feel sick. And yes, he was feeling literally sick.

Nausea kicked in, making him clench his jaw hard. His heart started rising mercilessly inside his chest, pounding in his ears so loud he could barely hear the music anymore. He noticed this felt different from the last time, when her ex went to school and tried to get her back.

He did not feel threatened that time, as he knew the guy had already lost her, but he sure felt something now. Not only was his sex appeal on another level, it was obvious they had something special going on. They were smiling to each other, complicity palpable in the air.

They looked like a couple.

And, even though he didn't want to admit it, he was jealous.

His mind was running inside his skull, so absorbed in his own thoughts, he did not realize Kyle was talking with someone next to him. His eyes moved from the scene reluctantly, only to meet Cassidy's mocking smile wrapped around a blue straw.

"Finally," she said. "So you're here running some errands?"

"Yeah." Kyle replied. "We just finished so we were going to hang out for a while." Kyle pursed his lips and looked at Cassidy intensely, trying not to laugh. "You guys?"

"Well, we just got together to walk around, check out stores and maybe watch a movie. But we ran up to this competition and they wanted to get in and get those free tablets. Can't compete with that, so I'm just waiting here."

"I see. They get along pretty well, huh?" Kyle asked, no sign of embarrassment or anything. Allen felt the urge to kick him in the balls.

Cassidy turned and looked at them dancing like there was no tomorrow, Isabelle twirling around, MJ moving elegantly with a bright smile on his face.

"Oh yeah. They complement each other." Her eyes landed on Allen's, raising her free hand. "Give her a chance to introduce him, will you? And relax, your face is scary as fuck."

Kyle laughed, patting his back with way more strength than needed.

"Yeah dude, chill."

"Am I too obvious?" The question left his lips almost in a whisper, not specifically meant to be answered. After a few seconds, both Cassidy and Kyle nodded their heads. Allen clicked his tongue, looking again at her direction.

She was definitely radiant.

I'm seriously getting this jealous… What the fuck? His thoughts started to move towards the guy next to her. Is he into her? It's impossible he's not. She's just so beautiful.

Her round eyes made him come back from her thoughts. She looked surprised for a second when their eyes met, her eyes growing big, but in a flash a broad, happy smile appeared on her face. She didn't break eye contact as she waved at him, drawing her companion's attention towards him. He looked at him too. It lasted a moment, but he didn't feel the hostility he was expecting.

The song finished, and the participants grouped to one side to wait for the judges. In the end, both Isabelle and MJ won the big prize. As it was expected, they pretty much shoved their prize at everyone around them, all the way to their friends.

Isabelle walked directly towards Allen, stopping right in front of him. She was nervous, but smiled as relax as she could.

"Hey," she started.

"Hey," he replied, tilting his head to one side. "That hair cut… Looks good on you."

Like a reflex, she reached one hand to grab a strand of hair, which she twirled in her fingers a couple of times. She smiled shyly at him. "Thanks." Her voice raised an octave, so she cleared her throat and signed MJ to come closer. "This is James. My best friend, and he's also my neighbor."

Allen looked at MJ and, as expressionless as always, he shook his hand. MJ had a strong, confident grip not many people have; not even important CEOs he has met all his life as his father's son.

It was unsettling. The guy knew what he had to offer.

"Just call me MJ… It's nice to finally meet you, man." MJ's deep voice hit him, irritating him even further. "She just can't stop talking about y—" his voice was cut off by Isabelle, hitting him on his side.

MJ left all the air in his lungs out with a laugh, she was throwing daggers at him. Allen's gaze landed on her. He was surprised by his words. She talks about me? With him? The thought made a curve playfully make its way into his lips. He couldn't control it, and even less hide it. That can only mean she doesn't like this guy at all. Again, his mood improved as it was earlier that morning.

"It's my pleasure."

He was acting formal again. Isabelle's eyes studied him as she realized he only acted like that in front of strangers, as he was always foul-mouthed around Kyle. That made her smile in her mind.

"So, do you guys mind if we join you?" As expected, Kyle didn't miss the chance to get them together. He liked watching his friend lose his mind. Allen's cold gaze made him chuckle.

"Yeah, why not?" MJ replied hurriedly. His eyes landed on Cassidy, then on Isabelle; a wicked smile approaching his features. "By the way, I need something to drink before I pass out. You guys want anything?"

"Blueberry iced tea with honey," Isabelle said.

"I'll go with iced coffee." Kyle followed. MJ checked on Cassidy, but she had already got herself something, so his eyes landed on Allen.

"Cool, come with me and help me out." He patted Allen playfully on his shoulder, an easygoing smile on his face. But even though his body language was friendly, his voice came out like a command.

Allen nodded, noticing Isabelle's body shift uncomfortably beside him. He looked at her and half smiled.

"Relax," he whispered.

Both of them moved away from them, catching people around them's attention as they looked like they were walking on a runway: good-looking, young, tall, and very well-dressed. Isabelle swallowed hard before raising her voice a little.

"I'll go to the bathroom," She wanted to clear her head a little and, why not, check herself out before Allen came back. Cassidy nodded.

"Want me to go with you?"

"No, it's fine! I'll be back in a second."

With that, she left her alone with Kyle. She never had the chance or even the idea of speaking with him. The only time they exchanged words was in the past week at school. And she had to admit he made her nervous, or at least made her guard up when he was near. To her, Kyle was one of those relaxed, happy guys, but deep down he was very scary when upset.

His voice broke the silence.

"I can see why he's so fixated on her. Why he hasn't been able to move on." His green eyes following the redhead as she was walking away. Cassidy looked at him with a serious expression.

"My girl is strong, not as naive as she looks. She's working hard on not getting her hopes high. I will not let him play around with her." Cassidy said those words proudly, but immediately felt bad about assuming someone else's feelings.

The blond, tall man shook his head.

"He's harsh sometimes and doesn't know how to express his feelings, but he's not a bad guy. I can tell there's more than what he's telling me, but it's obvious he felt something with her." He sighed a little, still looking at where Isabelle disappeared. "He's been through enough, and I'm a hundred percent sure she's helping him."

"Iry is not a saint for her to mend people around. She needs someone that can make her happy, not a problem."

He couldn't deny that, but frustration started building inside of him.

"I know… What I can see is that he's opening up. Fuck, it's the first time I've seen him flirt since I've met him."

Cassidy's eyebrows lifted, letting him know she didn't believe him.

"How's that even possible when he's a playboy?" Kyle turned a little to look at her.

"Oh, but he's not. Those girls just throw themselves at him. He just had to play along." Cassidy snorted. This made him purse his lips before adding, "I know you won't believe me, but it's the truth. I know his reputation, but he's really not like that."

His voice grew desperate, making him avert his eyes from her to the other side, biting his lower lip. She looked at her and remained silent for a few seconds, thinking a little about what he said. She noticed he was not lying to gain her favor. She could feel he was telling the truth.

"So you're saying…"

"If it was any girl, he would have DEFINITELY just taken his ass out of here. He hates spending time with people he doesn't know. He did it just because it was her. I bet."

"I was surprised he agreed, to be honest."

"Exactly my point. I asked to join you because I know he wouldn't have done it himself. I mean, if it took him a week to finally accept having sex with her…"

Cassidy was shocked.

"What do you mean?"

"He didn't want to just be a jerk and sleep with her. She seemed genuine… So felt he had to think about it. Seriously think about it." Cassidy's mouth was half open, still processing the information. Kyle raised his index finger to his lips. "If he knew I told anyone, he'd kill me."

She just nodded, seeing Isabelle appear again in the crowd. "I want her to figure this out."

"Fair enough. I wish I could say the same." He left the sentence hanging, both their eyes meeting. "Allen's just a little… slow. He needs a push." Kyle winked at her nonchalantly, given the conversation over before Isabelle arrived.