Chapter 9 Chapter 9 : I'm the one who didn't want him The air was thick with tension . None of the classmates dared to speak , their eyes darting between me and Hayden , looking totally awkward . Even Mr. Jenkins just kept sighing . I abruptly raised my glass , my voice booming with forced cheer . " Hey , this is great news ! Talk about a double celebration ! Hayden , and to my future sister - in - law , this one's for you . " Isabelle's face fell . " Aubrey ... " " Oh , come on ! This is a happy occasion , what's with the long face ? Cheer up . " Isabelle grabbed my hand . " I feel so awful . I feel like I stole the happiness that was supposed to be yours ... " " Don't be silly , " I said , comforting her with a smile . " I'm the one who didn't want him . I'm seeing someone new now . " " Really , Aubrey? " I gestured with my chin . " Would I lie in front of all these people ? Now come on , let me see that ring of yours ! " I forced myself to look thrilled and curious . It worked - Isabelle actually fell for it . She finally brought her hand out from behind her back . " Whoa , is that what they call a rock ? It's gorgeous . " Isabelle looked a little shy . " I don't really know much about them . Hayden picked it out . " " Hayden's always had amazing taste . He sure knows how to pick a ring , and he knows how to pick a partner even better . " Isabelle's tears finally gave way to a smile . " Aubrey , seriously , hearing you say that really puts my mind at ease . " " Can you drink ? " " Yes . " " Let's have a drink , just the two of us . I'm gonna be your sister - in - law now , after all . If Hayden ever gives you a hard time , you tell me , and I'll kick his ass for you! " Isabelle sniffled , then broke into a happy grin and clinked her glass against mine . " Deal . " " And don't worry about Mr. and Madam Hughes , either . I've got your back . I'll figure out a way to get them to accept you within two months , guaranteed . " 1/4 Chapter 9 Isabelle asked me , " Why two months ? Aubrey , are you guys leaving sooner than you planned ? " I realized I'd slipped up and quickly tried to cover for it . " Maybe . It mostly depends on his schedule . " Hayden suddenly cut in , " I thought you were leaving in three months . " I pulled myself together , looked up , and smiled again . " It's not set in stone yet , but it probably won't be more than three months . " Hayden didn't say anything . I plastered an even bigger smile on my face . " Hayden , even though I'm leaving soon , you have to treat Isabelle right , you hear me ? If you dare hurt her , I'll fly back from Europe and hunt you down ! " Isabelle turned to Hayden . " See ? I've got backup now . If you bully me , I'm making an international call to tattle on you to Aubrey ! " Hayden wrapped a loving arm around her , pulling her into his embrace . " How could I ever bear to bully you ... " Caroline , ever the loyal bestie , immediately changed the subject . " Come on , everyone ! It's so rare for all of us to be together . Let's get a group picture with Mr. Jenkins ! " The Class President heard her and chimed in , " Yes , yes , great idea ! Who knows when we'll all be together again ? " Mr. Jenkins's eyebrows shot up , and for a.moment he was our stern high school teacher again . " What was that , you brat ? You think I'm not going to be around for much longer ? " The Class President immediately started backtracking . " That's not what I meant at all , Mr. Jenkins ! With your spirit , you'll easily live to be a hundred ! " " That's more like it . " The Class President chuckled . " I just meant that everyone's so busy these days . And from what Aubrey was saying , she might be moving to Europe with her boyfriend for good . She'll barely be back , so it'll be even harder to get everyone together . " Caroline immediately linked he arm through mine . " Who says ? Moving abroad doesn't mean she can never come back . Aubrey will definitely be at the next reunion ! Right , Aubrey ? " Everyone was so happy . I didn't want to be a buzzkill . " Yeah , I'll definitely be there next time . " The Class President held up his phone and scanned the private room , his eyes finally landing on Isabelle . " Ms. Pearson , would you mind taking a group photo for us ? " Almost everyone there was one of Mr. Jenkins's former students . She was the only outsider . Since we were all getting in the picture , she was the obvious choice to take it . 2/4 Chapter 9 Isabelle hesitated . " I'm not very good at taking pictures . It won't look good . " " No worries ! We're all old classmates , we know what we all look like . Just get everyone in the shot . " Isabelle still didn't take the phone , just stood there biting her lip . Hayden said , " I'm out . You guys go ahead . " The Class President was taken aback . " But you came all this way . Why not be in the picture ? " " I'll stay with Isabelle . She gets shy around new people ." The Class President was at a loss again . " Oh , well ... " " Here , give me the phone , " I said , holding my hand out to the Class President . " A job requiring this much artistic flair needs the master's touch - mine . " The Class President waved his hands frantically . " No way , you're part of the class too ! I'll just go find a server ... " " Oh , just give it to me already ! " I snatched the phone from him . " Don't forget , my boyfriend's a professional photographer . Some of that talent was bound to rub off on me . You think a server is gonna take a better picture than I can ? " " But then you won't be in the group photo . 11 I chuckled . " What's the big deal ? It's not like this is the last time we'll ever see each other . " Only then did the Class President nod with a grin . " Alright , fine . We'll put you front and center next time ! " " Okay , okay , get in position! " Mr. Jenkins stood in the middle , with the classmates gathered on either side . 是 Hayden's hand rested on Isabelle's shoulder , loosely pulling her into his side and creating a space between her and the guy standing next to them . Everyone was smiling brightly . * Click⭑- The moment was captured . I handed the phone back to the Class President . He glanced at it and gave me a thumbs - up . " This looks great ! Your boyfriend must be really good . " I tilted my chin up . " Of course . My boyfriend is the kind of guy who's going to have his own solo exhibition in Europa Continent . " " Why don't you have him come over and say hi ? " 3/4 Chapter 9 " ... No , " I said , avoiding the Class President's gaze . " He's shy around new people , too . " 4/4