IM5 Preferences

4. Closure (continued from #2)

I reached for the phone and dialed his number. I listened to it ring. It rang on and on. I imagined the phone crying out in his empty room.

COLE

I thought that after the breakup, the “fans” would leave me alone, because I’m not with Cole anymore. But I was wrong. It only got worse. And now, with him gone, I realize how important it is to have someone. Not necessarily a significant other, but someone.

All this was rushing through my mind at a mile a minute as I walked down the street, not really paying attention to anything. I turned a corner and walked right into someone, stumbling back a bit, but not falling. “I’m sorry,” I look up into the most uncomfortable expression I’ve ever seen. It’s Cole. “Oh, Cole, hi, um I—”

But he cuts me off, “Look, I’m sorry.” When his eyes meet mine, I believe him. “I never really listened to you like I should have and I’m sorry. I was selfish and conceited and I didn’t value you.”

I smile a bit, but it doesn’t reach my eyes, “It’s alright, Cole. I know that with your career and the band, you aren’t in a place right now where you can be in a relationship. It’s okay, I understand. Just, next time, have the guts to be honest with the girl and tell her instead of just putting her on the back shelf.”

He just nods.

DALTON

I wish I hadn’t just walked away that day. Maybe I should have given him a minute to say something, because I know he wanted to. But then again, if it was really that important, wouldn’t he have tried to call or something and tell me? I would think so, but maybe not.

Maybe I was never that important to him. Nonetheless, I couldn’t keep going without knowing what he was trying to say. I reached for my phone and dialed his number, my heart pounding, torn between whether or not I hoped he would pick up.

“Hey,” he picks up, sounding breathless.

“Hi,” I squeak. “Um, I was just, I’m sorry I never let you finish…what you were going to say.”

“Oh. Um, it was nothing anyway. Don—don’t  worry about it.”

“It’s been bothering me.”

“Oh?”

“I just wanted to know.”

He breathes a deep sigh, “Well, I just wanted you to know that I was really sorry for jumping to conclusions the way I did and that if you didn’t want to be with someone like me then I would understand.”

I just shake my head, “It’s not that simple.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that I’m really sorry.”

I reach out and squeeze his bicep, the way I always did to show that it’s alright.

DANA

It’s been really tough since Dana and I abruptly broke up. I just miss having a companion, someone to confide in. But being cheated on, it ruins your outlook on life, your positivity, and your equilibrium within yourself. I wish he hadn’t.

My phone buzzes and I pull it out of my pocket to see Will’s caller ID flashing on the screen. Slightly confused, I answer, “Hello?”

“Hi! It’s Will! I’ve gotta talk fast, so just listen. Dana is really sorry for what he did and I know he regrets it even if he doesn’t want to say so. Just give him a chance and I have a feeling you’ll be seeing him soon, so yeah, okay bye!” And he hangs up.

I walk into a sandwich shop and Will was right. Standing right there, leaning against the wall is Dana. His eyes are dark and his face is tired. I take a deep breath, “Hi, Dana.”

He looks up, eyes wide, “Hey, I, um, Will told me you’d…” his voice trails off and I understand. Will knew I’d be here, so he told Dana to wait for me. “I’m really sorry, it was stupid and I regret it. Will you—”

“If you want me to take you back, then the answer is no. I can’t, not yet.”

He looks up at me with hurt eyes.

“But maybe someday. Just not today.”

“I understand.”

I smile weakly and squeeze his hand, “We’ll talk again soon.”

GABE

Maybe I overreacted, maybe it was nothing. But it wasn’t the first time it happened and he completely stood me up. I don’t think that’s something I could just up and forgive. I lie back on my bed and sigh. Honestly, I’ve been sulking again. I wish I didn’t miss him, but I do. It’s not that I need him to complete me, but I’m just still not used to being alone, and now I’m kind of lonely. I pick up my phone and call him. Maybe he’ll actually pick up this time.

“Hello? Hey, it’s been a while.”

“Hi, Gabe, um, I’m sorry that we never really got to…talk…”

He sighs, “No, it’s…I was wrong. I was inconsiderate and I didn’t listen. I’m—I’m sorry.”

For a moment, I say nothing and just sit in silence, mulling over his words.

“Are you still there?” he asks anxiously.

“Oh! Yeah, sorry…Um, I’m sorry, too, I got mad and I yelled, I—yelling doesn’t solve anything,” I say quietly.

There’s silence again.

Until we both say, at the same time, “I miss you.”

I giggle a bit and he chuckles on the other end. “You miss me, Gabe?”

“Yeah,” I can hear it in his voice, he’s blushing.

“Well, um, maybe we should meet up for coffee some time?”

“I’d like that.”

WILL

I haven’t seen or spoke to Will since our fight, and honestly, I’d like to keep it that way. I just can’t face him after what happened. I feel so stupid. I mean, they are just fans, and I guess he can’t really say ‘no’ without looking like a jerk. I’m not good with confrontation.

But I’ guess I’ll have to face him eventually, whether I like it or not. Just hopefully not for a whi— Will’s walking down the sidewalk, towards me. I duck into a nearby book store, but I think he’s already seen me. Oh well, it’s not like he’s going to try and ta—

“Hey.”

I turn around and he’s standing right behind me. “Um, hi,” I reply awkwardly.

“I, um,” he looks down at his feet. “I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry. I know now that fans are fans and that’s that.”

His head snaps up, his eyes wide. “Wait, you mean, you forgive me?”

“I didn’t say that.”

His face falls, “Oh.”

I can’t stand seeing him sad, “It’s just that I’m tired of being upset with you, so maybe we can start over?”

He smiles, “Maybe you can let me take you out to dinner sometime,” and winks.

I giggle, “How about lunch?”

He pouts for a moment but then smiles again, “Fine.”