Scars of the Present by Kay Gordon

walk away when I had my second glass in my hand.
    I sat through some boring conversation for some time when I felt Kerry’s hand rest on my knee under the table. I didn’t flinch, but I tipped the rest of my champagne back and pushed away from the table.
    “Please excuse me. I’m going to go freshen up.”
    I didn’t wait for a response and I walked away from the table quickly. I didn’t head towards the restrooms though, and instead I walked over to where the silent auctions were laid out on the tables.  I walked down the rows, reading each one as I passed, and stopping to write my bid on a few items. I had just put my name down on an Alaskan cruise when I heard a low voice speak at my ear.
    “A cruise, huh? I can see that being your scene.”
    I snapped my head back and looked up to see David’s deep blue eyes looking into my own. I didn’t respond right away, but instead admired him in his black tuxedo. It fit him like a glove and his silver vest and bow tie completed the outfit perfectly. I smiled when I saw his hair was still just as unmanaged as usual.
    “Hi David.”
    “Tink. I didn’t think I’d run into you here.” He inspected my dress before smiling down at me. The feeling of his slow perusal had the complete opposite effect as Kerry’s. Instead of feeling disgusted I felt beautiful. “You look fantastic.”
    “Thanks, so do you.” I glanced back to my table where my father was sitting with my mother, and the escort that had been forced on me was missing. “Hazard of being my parent’s child means I get to attend a lot of these things.”
    “Ah, I feel sorry for you then. I only have to go to this one every year and I dread it.” We walked away from the auction tables slowly and I suddenly moved in front of his path, holding my hand up to stop him.
    “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made assumptions before, and because I did, I’ve been a huge bitch to you for the past nine months. You didn’t deserve that.” I spoke quietly, holding his stare and hoping he realized how genuine I was.
    David seemed to consider it for a moment before one side of his mouth tipped up slightly.
    “Thanks, I appreciate the apology. I understand why you assumed what you did, though. A lot of pricks out there will say what they want to get into a girl’s bed.”
    I nodded, letting my hand fall and I fought to keep both of them at my side. I wanted so bad to reach out and touch him, to smell him, to just feel his jacket, but I didn’t.
    “So do you think…” I didn’t get a chance to finish my sentence as a platinum blonde wearing a stunning red dress walked up and placed her hand on his arm.
    “David? I think they’re getting ready to serve dinner.” She glanced back to me, and brought a smile to her lips. “Sydney Lewis?”
    I just stared at her for a moment before I realized who she was, and suddenly I wanted to just scream. “Ashley Austin. It’s been a long time.”
    David looked confused for a moment as he glanced between us. “You two know each other?”
    Ashley hooked her arm through his and her grin widened. “Oh yeah. How long has it been, Sydney? Freshman year of high school?”
    I grit my teeth because she knew exactly how long it had been. The last time we had seen each other was when she was laughing at me in the hallway of ninth grade. She had gone through and written ‘For a good ride, call Sydney Lewis’ along with my phone number everywhere. It had been found on lockers, bathroom walls, bleachers, cafeteria tables, and even classroom desks. I had to change my phone number after that and it had taken a year for guys to stop confronting me in the hallway to ask if I’d give them a ‘ride’.
    “Something like that.” I took a step back to escape. “It was good seeing you, David, Ashley, but I need to get back to my table.”
    I felt a hand rest at my lower back and I closed my eyes in frustration briefly before opening them and seeing David’s confused look.
    “Sydney,