"hey jack. who's gabbie?" i ask. he's sitting across from me on the couch so it was convenient.
"oh she's just an old friend." he said simply, still smiling at his phone.
"okay." i say "we should do something tonight. just you and i. we haven't in a long time."
"oh i'm sorry lills. i cant. i'm hanging out with someone tonight." he says apologetically.
"oh who? all the boys are busy tonight too." i ask curiously.
"oh you don't know them." he replies.
"oh. okay." nice talk, i think to myself.
"let's go out tomorrow okay?" he smiles at me this time, and not his phone.
"okay. what should we do?" i smile.
"lets go to dinner at the one place by the beach. i can meet you there at 7 after i get out of the studio." he says.
"okay. that sounds good" i reply. i stand up and walk upstairs to go to my room.
i bump into corbyn while in the hallway and we start talking.
"lilly!" he exclaims.
"corbyn!" i say equally excited.
"what're you doing tonight? any plans with jack?" he wiggles his eyebrows.
"no. i'm just gonna stay in. you guys will all be gone. jack has plans with someone else. he won't tell me who, but oh well. criminal minds here i come!" i say.
"no no no no. you are not staying in tonight. you're going to hang out with me, daniel, jonah, zach, and eben."
"no corbyn, i don't want to intrude" i say.
"you won't be! we all love you so what's the harm?" he says.
"okay fine. what're we doing then?" i shrug my shoulder in defeat.
"we're gonna go to the pier and mess around." he smiles.
"okay. i'm gonna get ready i guess" i say pointing to my door.
i closed the door and walked into the bathroom. considering we were leaving at 4 and it was 3, i needed to take a quick shower. i did that, and started doing light makeup, just like i do everyday. i let my hair dry naturally so it was wavy. i threw on some clothes and made my way downstairs to meet the boys by the door.
jack came down soon after me, right as we were walking out the door.
"lilly, where are you going?" he asked.
"to hang out with the boys and eben." i reply.
"okay. have fun babe. i'll see you later tonight." he says kissing me.
"see you." i say walking out the door, closing it behind me.
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we've just made it to the pier, and i just met eben for the first time. i don't know why it took so long to meet him. i've been here for a few months and they're always with him. he's a pretty cool guy from what i can tell.
the night was spent going on rides, playing games, and eating till we got sick.
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skip to next day cause i have nothing else to write. (before the date)
i had just got finished getting ready for jack and i's date and i was about to leave. i grab my purse, and throw my phone, and wallet into it. i grab my keys and walk downstairs.
"awe. my best friend looks so beautiful." corbyn says. he's sitting on the couch with the rest of the boys playing video games.
"thank you corbs. i'll see you guys later." i smile.
i walk outside and get into the car. the restaurant is only 10 minutes away, so not terrible.
i get there 5 minutes early, but walk inside anyways.
"hi. reservation for avery." i say to the hostess.
she nods and leads me to a table in the back. i thank her, and the waitress is already waiting to take my drink order. i tell her i'll just have a water.
i look at the time and it's 7. jack should be here soon.
i look at the time and it's 7:10. okay, he's a little late. i cant blame him. la traffic is the worst.
the time on my phone reads 7:30. i'm getting worried now. jack should be here.
the time is now 8:30 and i've had enough. i lay a few dollar bills to pay for the 3 waters i had while i sat there like an idiot.
as soon as i get into the car, i feel a few tears run down my cheek. i wipe them away and start driving the 10 minutes home.
i walk into the house and the boys are still playing video games.
"hey lills! how was the date?" jonah asks.
i just stop, look at them, and shake my head. i know they saw the tear stains, and i honestly don't care right now.
i walk upstairs to my room, take off my makeup, change into comfy clothes, and climb into bed. i'm beyond mad, but all i can manage to do is cry, and ask myself; why?
i hear a soft knock on my door and i immediately know it's corbyn. we have a special knock so we know who it is. weird, i know, but i love it.
"come in" i say quietly.
i hear the door open, and i can see his shadowed figure enter, and close the door. he turns on a lamp next to my bed, on the opposite side of me and sits next to me and i cry into the pillow.
"oh lills. what happened?" he asks.
"he never fucking showed up. i sat there for an hour and a half waiting for him, and he never showed." i say sitting up.
"i'm so sorry lilly. i don't know what's been up with him lately, but it will get better. i know it will." he says softly.
i lay my head on his shoulder as he sits there. just his presence makes me feel better. as soon as i start to calm down though, i hear the door open and close downstairs.
he's home and i know i have to face him.
twenty-three
Start from the beginning
