Awkward

Happy Beginning

"You look amazing." Natalie said as Ivy twirled in a maroon gown she was trying on. It fit her figure perfectly and had just the right amount of lace in the back to show her favorite tattoo.
"You think so? I hope Bren likes it."
"He's gonna fall in love with you all over again."
Ivy shot an amused smile at her over dramatic friend.

Prom was right around the corner and Ivy had yet to decide on a dress, no matter the countless times she'd been to try some on. Her and her boyfriend, Brennan, decided on Maroon. They also decided not to see each other's attire for prom until the time came. It was risky, but Ivy wanted everything about her prom to be special, and a little surprise like that is something she wouldn't forget.

"Well? Take that sucker off and go pay for it! Im starving, no rush, but you look beautiful and I really want pizza." Natalie said, interrupting Ivy mid thought. Ivy laughed.
"Everything in me is telling me to argue with you just to be an ass," she started, "But I don't know, I think this is the one."
"FINALLY"
Ivy tossed her flip flop at Natalie.
"Shut up or else I'll change my mind."
Natalie threw her hands up and stood up from her seat.
"Ill be out in the car, next stop; pizza."

The store was pretty empty, Ivy had no problem quickly checking out. She grabbed her dress and headed towards the door. Suddenly she felt her flip flop catch on the carpet and she fell forward, bringing whatever the man next to her was holding in his arms, down with her. She instantly felt flustered.
"Oh my god," she said sitting up, "im so sorry!" She reached to hand him his things, but he reached for her hand instead and helped her up.
"Ivy?" He said, deeply staring at her.

She could've shit herself right then. Leo, her extremely attractive and sweet ex, was standing right in front of her.

But the thought that haunted her even more?
They never officially broke up.
"L-Leo? What are you doing here?"
"I transferred, I'm going to school here in town now. Its really good to see you, Ivy.."

Ivy couldn't really say the same. It wasn't good to see him, not at all. It was terrible timing, and he wasn't necessarily on Ivy's favorite persons list.

Two years ago he disappeared when he went off to college. He stopped contacting Ivy, after they had been together for a year. She repeatedly tried to call, but his number had been disconnected. She never knew why, and it broke her more than she ever let anyone know. But she was with Brennan now, that stuff was in the past, and she planned to leave it there.

She struggled to form the next words she should say to him. What could she possibly say? He wasn't even man enough to dump her. Not even over the phone!

"Its uh, good to see you too.."
there was silence for a few moments before Leo chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"You must really really hate me."
Damn right she did.
"What? Oh, no.. it's all water under the bridge now.. I should um get going, my ride is waiting outside--"
"Ivy wait."
He grabbed her arm as she turned to walk out the door. She felt chills, but she brushed them off and shook her arm loose.
"Leo.."
"No, I need you to listen to me--"
He was interrupted by her phone ringing. She looked down, it was Brennan calling her. Great. Perfect timing.
"I have the same number. If it's that important just text me later, I'm gonna go." She quickly turned and left the store before he could try and catch her again.

Ivy didn't mention the incident to Natalie during the car ride to the pizza place, or the car ride home. She hated talking about Leo, she hated when anyone brought him up. She refuses to bring him up herself.
But yet she couldn't stop thinking about what happened. She had so many questions she wanted to ask, but when she saw him, her mind went blank.

And what could he possibly want to talk about? Why would he ever think she would give him the time of day again?

And it wouldn't just be to apologize, who waits years to tell someone they're sorry? It just isn't worth the hassle. Ivy continued to wonder and question the whole situation again, just like she used to do when they first broke up.

Natalie seemed to notice her friend was distracted.
"Ivy? You alright?"
Her concerned voice pulled Ivy right out of her thoughts.
"H-huh? Yeah! Im fine."
Why was she so distracted by him anyway? She had Brennan now.

They pulled into Ivy's driveway and Natalie put a hand on her shoulder.
"We've been friends for how many years? You don't think I know when you're lying to me?" Natalie joked.

Ivy rolled her eyes and stepped out of the car.
"Ill call you later Nat, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah!"

Ivy laughed and shut the door. She watched as her friend backed out and drove away. Brennan would be here any minute, and she felt terrible because she ignored his call. She pulled out her phone.

"Hi babe." She heard his, strangely attractive, voice say. She flopped onto her bed.
"Hey babe, I was with Nat earlier, that's why I didn't answer your call. Anyway, I finally got my dress--"
"We need to talk."

Those words felt like a sharp knife to her gut.

"About?"
"We will talk when I get there, I just wanted you to be aware that we needed to talk."

After she got off the phone with him, she reflected on how terrible her day was actually going. It amuses her but irritated her at the same time. She stared out the window, in an attempt to calm herself.
It was beautiful outside. The trees were blooming, winter was just getting over with. Ivy always appreciated small beautiful things in life, they gave her peace of mind. She looked to them when she needed comfort, which was more often than wanted.

"Clink, clink"
She heard something hit the side of her house. She sat up in her bed, startled. Not sure whether to run downstairs or look, she just sat there for a moment listening for any other noises. When she didn't hear it again, she headed towards her window and opened it, sticking her head out.

Against her house was a latter, and climbing it was Leo, he looked like he had been through a war and three depressions. His clothes were ripped and he has blood on his face. Ivy instantly panicked and slammed her window shut and locked it.

What the actual fuck was up with this guy?

He reached her window and tapped on it, shouting her name.
"Go away! Im gonna call the police!"
He put a hand to his face and then took his phone out of his pocket. She wondered what he was doing, until she heard her phone ringing behind her. She picked it up.

"Leo what the fuck"
"Ivy listen, you gotta let me in"
"Brennan will be here any minute! What made you think you could show up to my house!"
"Ivy you're not safe here"
She fell silent. What was he talking about?
"I need to talk to you. Now." He continued.

She hung up and threw the phone on the bed. She cautiously opened the window, holding her pocket knife behind her.
"Why are you all beat up?" She asked
"Its a long story, but I have to tell you the truth, Ivy. They want to kill me for it, but I've kept it from you too long."