Alayna’s POV:
“Cause that just means I still have a chance with you. You wouldn’t be so bothered if you have totally moved on but obviously not!” I was left speechless by the sudden raise of tone in Harry’s voice. I couldn’t utter a word and even taking a step back felt difficult.

“Alayna?” I was caught off guard by the addition of another voice in the conversation. “Jared!” I turned around and I met his questioning eyes. “Name’s Harry.” Before I can even speak, Harry stepped forward and offered his hand.

“Jared. Alayna’s boyfriend.” Jared pulled me to his side and wrapped his arm around my waist. “How long have you been here? Did you just arrive?” The moment I regained my composure, I quickly tried to pull Jared away from him.

“I just arrived. Aren’t you even gonna introduce me properly to your friend?” I tilted my head in confusion at the sudden change of aura around him. The jealousy that enveloped him just a while ago seemed to have been replaced by friendliness.

“C’mon. Is he a friend from school? Or is he just a fan of your sister’s famous cupcakes?” I know Jared’s memory was bad but I wasn’t fully aware that it was this bad. I was really sure that I’ve spoken of Harry’s name once or twice and I was surprised that he didn’t picked that up when Harry introduced himself.

“You really don’t know him?” He shook his head and I’ve never felt more disappointed yet relieved my whole life. I was disappointed that he didn’t even took the time to learn the name of the guy that have kept his girl up for most nights yet relieved that I just totally dodged a bullet right there.

“Hey! Harry!” He turned around and waved for Harry to come in with us. “Hey, wanna come in? Lauren makes the best pastries ever. You gotta meet her.”

Harry’s POV:
“Uhmm..” I was shocked and confused at the friendliness of Alayna’s boyfriend. “Hasn’t she spoken about me even once?” The moment I thought of that question, sadness covered my body.

“Was she that eager to forget about me that she just dismissed my whole existence?” Questions filled my mind yet I know that right now weren’t the right time to ask them.

“Sure, I guess.” I can see in Alayna’s face that she wasn’t too ecstatic about me staying long but right now I only care about getting some answers.

“Oh, hey Jared. I thought you weren’t going to see Alayna today.” A brunette, slightly older woman appeared from the kitchen. “Well, I missed her.” I’m guessing this woman was Alayna’s older sister. She seemed really approving of Alayna and Jared’s relationship.

“Aww, you two should get out or else this place will be filled with ants.” She was right; Alayna and Jared looked happy together. Alayna never looked more bright and glowing in the whole time I’ve known her. Her laugh was different, her posture was impeccable and everything about her seems to be better.

“Is this really something I want to meddle with?” I looked down, hard in thought when Jared tapped my shoulder and pointed at a table. “That was Lauren. Sorry, forgot to introduce you to her before she got busy.”

“Where’s Alayna?” I thought that Alayna’s absence would have changed Jared’s demeanour towards me but I was surprised when he continued being his friendly self. “She just went to the back.” I nodded my head, cleared my throat and sat back.

“So how did you meet?” Jared broke the ice first and I didn’t know what to say. I don’t know if I should tell him everything truthfully or if he is even aware of what happened back in Oxford.

“Uh—” As I sat up straight and was about to speak, my hand was met by someone else’s. “Here, my sister and I made this especially for you.” The warmth of her palm was something I missed and if I could, I would have just paused everything right now and just lingered on that warmth she exuded.

“We met at a class at the university here. He’s an exchange student, right?” She nodded her head, looking for an approval. I wasn’t sure if lying would have been the best option but that was her decision and I wasn’t in the right place to argue. “Yeah, I am.”

Notes

Hey you guys! I know I've left this story hanging for so long but a lot has happened in the past year and I wasn't able to prioritize this and I'm really really really sorry. I hope my loyal readers are still out there and will stick with the coming new chapters. I promise that I'll update more often now since I do have more time. Thanks you guys! I hope you like this new chapter! :)