After the night of the party, I figured i'd avoid David at any costs. My day to day routine was based on catching any glimpse I could of him, which was a lot. We'd have this non spoken agreement to see eachother at a certain time of the day such as passing through the halls for lunch or seeing eachother after school. I decided to do tutoring during lunch and stay back in the library to catch up on work I usually do during the day. I haven't had an easy time concentrating though.
Whatever this feeling I had made my stomach turn. I spent most of my nights wide awake because of it. Whenever I opened any social media, his face and Jenny's were plastered on my timeline. The site of them together hurt me in so many ways. My heart that once fluttered at the sight of his crystal blue eyes now dropped and felt like it had been stomped on. I wish it didn't take me all these years to realize that I'd felt the same for David.
Since then, I decided it was only right to be out of his way so he could be happy. I made my choice and i'd have to live with that decision but here I was sulking in despair. I sometimes would hope he'd call again or surprise me like he used to but that all just seems like lost hope now. Ava makes it harder by being around and giving me updates about him. Since our little hangout at Double D's, she took this as a sign to befriend me and we'd become best friends. Wrong. I can't get rid of her now though since she's been nothing but kind and understanding. Well not really understanding of not wanting any David updates.
"Can you believe she posted a picture of them kissing and her hands on his butt on IG?" Ava snorted.
"Oh really? I didn't see". I lied.
"Look at it then! Look!" She said flashing me the photo of them.
"Oh, they look so happy." I mustered out.
"Evie, E-VIEEE no they don't!" She scoffed. "You know that he doesn't belong with her. We all know that. Why do you put yourself through this and try to remain happy for him when you know you aren't?"
"I already told you Ava, he made his choice and I made mine. We wouldn't even be in this situation if i'd just ignore him." I retorted.
"No, we're in this situation BECAUSE you ignored him. You played hard to get all those years and if you'd just been honest from the start, you'd be the one i'd be scoffing over for touching his butt and posting it for the world to see!" She argued.
"Well i'm not so can we just drop it? I don't want to hear about him anymore." I pleaded.
Ava's phone began to ring and it showed Sander's picture. She growled before accepting his call. The two always fought like a married couple and it brought a smile to my face, seeing that Ava was the one scolding me about denying my love for someone for so long but here she was doing it as well. A smile creeped up on her lips before it fell sullen.
"Slow down Sander, repeat that again!" She demanded. "Okay, okay i'll come now! What do you mean nevermind, you just said- alright fine. I'll be over tomorrow morning. Are you sure he's okay? Yeah, yeah and don't you tell me to calm down or I swear- yes okay. Just message me what hospital and what room. I'll make Evie tag along.... Yes she's here. We're studying for our exams at her house. NO YOU CAN'T COME, IT'S NOT THAT KIND OF HANGOUT. I swear even in the worst case scenarios, your thoughts still remain in the gutter. Goodbye Sander!" She said before she hung up.
"Is Sander okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, he's alright... he was calling regarding David." She said.
"Well is David okay?"
"He's going to be fine now. He just sort of had an accident and blacked out but he's okay. You can follow me if you'd like tomorrow morning to see him." She added.
I hesitated before my thoughts raced a million miles an hour. Was he actually okay? What kind of accident was it? Shouldn't we go now? What if this is the last time I'll get to see him alive? Seeing that all the outcomes of my questions will only be answered to see him in person, I agreed.
I woke up early before Ava came by to pick me up. I insisted i'd meet her there but she wanted to ensure I didn't back out at the last minute. As I was fixing my hair, I stared at my reflection wondering what i'd say to him. I decided it was best to prepare myself by giving myself a pep talk.
"Okay Evie. There is nothing to be nervous about. It's just David. You will go there making sure he's okay and then leave. Nothing else will happen. Put on a brave face and don't let him get the best of you. You're happy he's with Jenny and that's all that matters. You mean nothing to him anymore and he shouldn't mean anything either. You are strong, you are independent, you are beaut-" I said while getting cut off.
"Oh brother, please tell me you weren't just being one of those clichès who has to prepare herself before she sees a boy? It's better if you just admit that you still love him." Ava said as she made herself at home in my room.
"You aren't supposed to be here for another hour!" I argued.
"Well yeah but we live like 5 minutes apart so I was going to see if you'd want to grab breakfast before we head to the hospital." She said.
"No it's okay. I kinda was hoping to just get it over with. Not make a day of it so I can come home and sulk." I said.
"Pitiful." She muttered.
"What?"
"I said your plan is pitiful. You and David are both stubborn people. You're in love with him and we all know he's in love with you, I don't understand why you both just don't admit it and save this story some time."
"He's with her."
"So? She is simply his rebound and they aren't married."
"Are you implying that I should homewreck them? Even you shouldn't be that dull minded."
"Look, i'm just saying. I knew the guy for so many years and I dated him once upon a time. When his pride is hurt, he tends to lash out. I guess in this way, he's lashing out at you by flaunting another girl in front of you. He may not know his own motives because he's stupid like that but it's easily foreseen that this is a temporary fix." Ava said.
"Why are you telling me all of this anyways?"
"Because for as long as I could remember, i've envied you. Not because David had your attention even while we dated but because you had someone irrevocably devoted to you. I guess every girl wants that, someone who'd go to the ends of the earth for them. David was that person for you. Think about it, he chased you for many years never giving up even if you always dodged his request or gifts. He was always there for you when you struggled and made himself available to you whenever you needed him. He hasn't dated anyone else since me until now but that's because you said something that struck a nerve. He only dated me after you told him the first time that he didn't know what love was when we were 14. Over and over again he's tried to prove himself to you and seeing him throw away all that effort when you were ready to accept him, it doesn't sit well with me. He's also my best friend and a bit of a dimwit but I love the guy and only want what's best for him which isn't Jenny Miller."
I tried to process every word Ava said. It hit me like a road block but only made me feel worse for waiting this long to give David a chance. Everything that fell apart was my fault because I was naive and kept running away from it. I really paid karma's price for this one. I'll be stuck in a room with him and his girlfriend whilst maintaing my feelings. Just great Evie, just great.
After what felt like hours of Ava giving me an encouraging speech, it was time for us to leave. I got in Ava's BMW and the scent of her car hit me. It brought me back to a particular night. The night David and I met up for a group project back in Sophomore year.
(Flashback 2 years ago)
"Okay so it's decided. We'll all meet at my parents' cafè after school." David declared.
All our groupmates nodded in agreement because they knew that meant free coffee and pastries. We all decided to do our project on Sea turtles for Marine Biology. I didn't want to be apart of a group but Brianna Hastings insisted that I shouldn't work alone. Besides it was a six page essay plus a ten minute presentation so I guess it was easier this way.
"So I'll see you after school I guess?" David asked me as I collected my books.
"Yup. It sounds like it." I responded.
"Well, i'll see you then." He said as he smiled at me.
"I'll see you." I smiled back.
The goofy grin stayed on his face as he watched me pack up the rest of my things. I could feel my breath hitch in my lungs and for a moment it felt like time had stood still. I loved whenever his eyes were on me. It felt like for a moment we were the only two in the world. He continued his stare as he walked backwards out of the door when the bell rang signaling it was time for 5th period. I heard him snicker before he was finally out of sight. I composed myself before continuing on with the day.
After school, my dad agreed to drop me to Alexander Cafè before heading to work the night shift. I could feel the nerves tingling in my body as we got closer to the cafè. I adjusted my hair in the mirror and put on some lip gloss just to make sure I looked nice for tonight. I went over all the notes we'd need for the project as well as an extra USB for any media we might need stored for the presentation. When we arrived, I saw all my group mates gathered outside the door, probably waiting for the rest to arrive.
"Okay sweetheart, i'll be back to pick you up during my lunch hour which is around 9:30 pm. Call me if you need to be picked up earlier than that okay? Do you need money for anything?" My dad asked.
"Alright. I'll also call if I could catch a ride with Brianna since she just lives down the block from us. I have the money from my allowance you gave me for this week so it should be enough." I told him.
"No here just in case you get hungry and you and your friends go out for dinner. Just be safe okay." He said as he handed me a twenty dollar bill.
I took it and got out of the car. I waited with the group until Mateo arrived. David's parents made a space for us in a section of the cafè near most of the outlets on one side. We all took out our assignments and sprawled them across the tables. David came back with some decaf coffees and freshly made blueberry muffins.
"Seems like were all set, let's get to work!" Brianna said cheerfully.
"How about we split into pairs and from there we do one section of research each and then compile it together? Doesn't that seem like a better idea that way we don't get so mixed up. There's six of us here so if we pair up, they'll be three pairs and there's only three sections to write about." David interjected.
"OKAY! That sounds like a good idea actually. I call Evie!" Mateo yelled before pulling me into the booth. David scowled at him before turning away and looking at the other options he had.
"Why don't you and I partner up?" Brianna asked David.
"Uh, okay sure." He agreed.
We drew the sections that we'd work on with our partner and chose corners of the cafè to work in our groups. Mateo and I got the section of behavior of sea turtles and why they migrate. After doing most of the work while Mateo played a game on his phone, I was beginning to get hungry. There was a Taco Bell not too far from here so I excused myself from the group.
On my way out, David stopped me at the door. "Where are you going?" He asked.
"I got a bit hungry so i'm going to go grab something at Taco Bell." I informed him.
"We have some wraps and sandwiches if you want to eat. Why walk all the way there?" He demanded.
"I'm in the mood for nachos if that's okay with you?" I said irritated.
"Wait for me. I'll go with you, it's getting a bit late for you to wander off at this time." He retorted.
Trying to avoid being alone with him, I walked out the door continuing on my way. After about five minutes or so, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I stuck my hand in my purse to pull out pepper spray but when I turned around, it was him. "I told you to wait for me." He said. Instead of encouraging him to speak, I chose to stay silent as we walked in the direction to Taco Bell. I could feel his eyes on me whenever I walked in front of him and I tried to maintain an even pace. Personally, I think he was walking slower each time we were side to side but I was too hungry to think about how handsome he or weird he was being tonight. When we finally made it to Taco Bell, I ordered a Mexican pizza and nachos. David, on the other hand, ordered what seemed to be half the menu. A tray of food didn't seem to weigh the same as the Diet Coke he added in his order. We took our seat in one of the booths as we devoured our food in front of us.
"You eat like a slob!" I said in disgust. "You have drippings of sour cream and cheese everywhere!".
"Says the girl with taco sauce all over her chin." He laughed.
My cheeks heated in embarassment as I reached for a napkin to wipe my face with. Before I could though, David took a nacho and wiped off the sauce with it before eating it. My mouth fell in shock. This earned me another chuckle from him and again the nerves came rushing back. I tossed him my nachos which he graciously accepted and ate. After all the mess we made, a worker was glaring at us in our section. Taking this as a sign to cease fire in our little food fight, we started cleaning up and wiping the mess we made on the table.
We left Taco Bell to go back to our group mates. It was already 8:30 and most of the shops were closing down. The area was dark with only one light illuminating from the convenience store at the end of the corner. The thought if i'd went alone now seemed like a bad idea, succumbing to the fact that now I was happy David tagged along.
"You know if I knew you scarfed down food like that, I would've ran for the hills." He said.
"What does that even mean? You eat like a pig yourself!" I exclaimed.
He smirked before he said, " I meant I probably would've stopped myself from liking you so much if I saw the way you ate beforehand."
I pushed him lightly and he caught my hands. "Nuh uh uh missy, you don't get to hurt me." He said as he twirled me so I was facing forward. I was now entrapped with him hugging me from behind and I could feel him breathing on my neck.
"If you're going to hurt a person, don't let them anticipate your move. It only gives them the upperhand." He whispered before letting me go.
(Flashback Ends)