Page 94 of Don't Leave
I narrow my eyes.
“Tell me that you don’t want her.”
I huff out a breath.
There doesn’t seem to be any point in denying it. “I can’t do that.”
For a long moment she remains silent. Just when I think she’s dropped the subject, she says, “Good. I like you two together.”
A small smile tugs at the corners of my mouth because that makes two of us.
CHAPTER 27
CASSIDY
I’ve spent most of today camped out at the library with the exception of two classes. Now that Christmas break is right around the corner, it seems like almost every course has a paper due. My books are spread out all over the table as I tap away on my laptop.
Every time I begin to feel overwhelmed, I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath. Once my heart no longer feels like it’s being squeezed in a vise grip, I look over the list I’ve compiled to prioritize all my assignments.
It’s taken a lot of hard work to get my grades up to where they were before Thanksgiving break. I refuse to blow it now that we’re in the homestretch. After my breakup with Cole, I’d let some of my classwork slide. Thankfully, Brooklyn was there to slap some sense into me, and I’ve been able to bounce back.
Getting through that experience was tough, but it made me realize that life will always have its ups and downs. What’s important is that you push through the bad times until they’re behind you.
Unfortunately, curling up in bed and crying into a pint of Ben and Jerry’s isn’t an option.
All right, it is an option.
And a tasty one at that.
But it isn’t a long-term solution to flunking out of school.
I’m proud of myself for getting through the situation without shutting down and falling apart. Even more than that, I’m excited to put this semester behind me and to show my parents that I’m not the screwup they assumed I was when I crashed and burned last year. They’ve both made a point to tell told me how proud they are, but it’ll still be nice to show them the tangible proof.
And it’ll be nice to see it for myself.
I’m three hours in, editing my psych paper, when I realize that someone has sidled up to my table. I glance up, startled to find Jackie. The muscles in my belly contract as I brace myself for this unwelcome conversation. We haven’t spoken since the Halloween party and quite frankly, I don’t really need a repeat of that.
Especially since Cole and I aren’t together.
What surprises me even more than finding her here is the tentative smile curving her lips. “Do you mind if I sit down for a minute? I’ve been hoping we would run into each other.”
“Ahhh…” My voice trails off as my brain spins. I have no idea what we could possibly have to talk about.
Her smile falters as she whispers, “Please?”
That’s all it takes for me to cave.
I gesture halfheartedly to the chair parked across from me and mutter, “I’m in the middle of writing a paper.”
She settles on the chair before tucking a few strands of blonde hair behind her ear. Her gaze skitters away from mine before returning. “I wanted to apologize for ambushing you at the Halloween party. It was wrong and I shouldn’t have done it.”
My brows rise in surprise. Whatever I was expecting her to say, that wasn’t it. Not by a long shot.
I clear my throat. “Um, okay. Thanks.”
“At that point, I guess I was still hoping Cole and I could work everything out between us.” She shrugs. “Maybe even pick back up where we left off before I…” her voice trails off awkwardly as color rushes to her cheeks.
Since I can’t blame her for wanting Cole back, I nod in understanding.
