Page 75 of Don't Leave Me

I packed up my things at my desk, everyone obviously staring me down, probably having heard of the fight in reception on top of the reveal of me and Michael. I averted any kind of eye contact with anyone as I walked down the hall and headed for the elevators.

“Is everything okay, Hana?” Maude asked, startling me from behind her desk.

I sighed and smiled as I leaned against her desk. “Yeah. Thank you, Maude. And I’m so sorry for what happened here,” I shook my head apologetically.

“No, it’s okay,” she shook her head. “That was a little crazy though,” she giggled.

I gave her a crooked smile. “Yeah, a little bit,” I laughed, heading for the elevators. “See you later, Maude,” I smiled.

I was relieved as I stood in the empty elevators, heading for the lobby and excited to start packing and spending more time Michael.I’ve never lived with a boyfriend before; it’s gonna be strange at first, but I couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone besides Michael. Holy crap…what if we get married? What if we have kids? It all seems so real and possible now.

The elevator doors pinged open and I smiled at security, taking my phone out and about to call Emily as I walked out of the lobby and into the cold December afternoon. I wasn’t paying attention as I walked down the sidewalk, staring at my phone, when I heard a familiar voice call out my name. I looked up and there he was. He looked distraught, anxious, and his left eye was swollen and red. I stopped in my tracks and had no idea how to react;do I talk to him or ignore him? I promised Michael I would never speak to him again…

Jack continued to walk towards me, his eyes full of despair and hesitation. My heart dropped – I truly felt horrible about how everything played out, but I was still angry that he was so quick to bad mouth me. I sighed and dropped my head down, looking at the ground as I could see him getting closer.

“Jack, what are you doing?” I asked quietly, Jack now standing in front of me.

“I’m sorry,” he said lowly.

I looked up and there were tears in his eyes.No…no. Fuck.

I just shrugged and crossed my arms, staying silent, afraid that whatever I said would end up with me in tears as well. I was too empathetic.

“That’s it? A shrug? That’s how you want to end this?” he asked with annoyance, his eyebrows raised.

I narrowed my eyes. “Yeah. That’s how thisslagwants to end things,” I retorted.

Jack rolled his eyes. “Come on, Han. I was angry at your fucking twit of a boyfriend,” he retorted.

I scoffed and put my hands up. “Goodbye, Jack,” I snapped and started to walk away.

Really, this is how he attempts to apologize to me? He’s a lot different than I thought he was…

“Hana,” he called after me.

I ignored him, walking quickly to the subway, wanting this whole situation to end. I looked back down at my phone while I waited to cross the street, quickly dialing Emily.

“Hey!” she answered excitedly.

I smiled. “Hey, Em,” I responded, looking over my shoulder to see if Jack was following me, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“How are you doing?”

The last time I talked to her, which was the night before, I was crying over Michael and getting ready to have Jack over. Literally hundreds of things had changed.

“I’m…good. Can you come over and hang out with me while I pack?” I asked, waiting for her to freak out.

There was a pause. “Pack? For what?”

“Michael came over last night and we made up. He asked me to come stay with him today,” I explained cheerily, lingering by the subway entrance; cell service was nil underground.

I heard her gasp. “Oh my god, Han! This is huge!” she exclaimed.

I laughed and nodded. “I know. That’s why I need you to come over!”

“Okay! I’m on my way!” she laughed. “I’ll see you in a bit,” she hung up.

I tried to think of what to say to Billie on the train ride home. She was always looking out for me –will she be supportive of this? Will she try to talk me out of it? Will she be upset? I mean, I still plan to pay rent…I wouldn’t just bail on her like that.

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