this love {e.d}

02

↠ elena

my heart starts pounding out of my chest. it feels like it could pop out any second. i watched as he laughed and smiled at the mysterious blonde girl he had next to him.

he looked so happy.

i quickly turn back around, my whole body felt like it was about to collapse.

"madison- he can't see me." i say, worried.

"what do i do?!" i whisper harshly before she could even answer my previous comment.

"i don't know- the bathroom, maybe? i-" she shrugs and i debate whether or not i should go. at least until he was seated and out of my sight. the only problem was is that bathroom was in that direction. i would have to walk towards him. not past him, but near him enough that there might be a chance he sees me.

i feel like sweat was pouring off my forehead.

i decided to make a run for it. i frantically get up, putting my head down just praying he will not see me. i feel like i was walking a million miles per hour. not paying attention, i bump into someone.

"i'm so sorry. i-"

fuck. you have go to be kidding me. this is what you get for trying to avoid him, elena. dumbass.

"elena?" i almost melt at the sound of him saying my name. "elena? oh my god!"

i'm taken back as he engulfs me into a bear hug. i awkwardly keep my arms in between our chests.

"hi." i nervously chuckle as he pulls away.

"how have you been?" he grins.

"i've been good." i smile, stuffing my hands in my vest. "you?"

"really great." he says. i sit back and admire him. he's changed so much. he was still as stunning as ever, though. he wore a jean jacket over a black shirt along with a pair of dark jeans.

a petite blonde girl follows behind him, placing her hand on his forearm. "they have a table for us, e."

my heart stings at the sound of her calling him that. i always called him e.

on the other hand, she was very gorgeous.

"okay babe." he says with a smile. "i'll catch up with you?" he questions, rubbing the back of his neck.

i nod, not knowing what to do or say.

"great." he gives me a small wave and a smile before walking off with his new girlfriend.

what the hell just happened?

-

i slouch on my couch, still trying to take in what the hell happened nearly an hour ago. my ex boyfriend—whom i'm still in love with—hugged me? he wants to catch up?

our breakup didn't end badly. it just hurt to see him.

"what the hell do i do?" i ask madison. "he said he wanted to catch up? does that mean he wants to hang out?"

"well, duh." she bluntly says.

"i can't do that." i say, sitting up from my position. "there's no way."

"calm down, elena. you don't know if he was being serious or not." she reassures me. "besides, he didn't give you his number."

i sigh in relief. "you're right."

i just needed to calm down. i need to just relax, watch some tv and get over it.

a few days later

i sigh as i clean out the fitting rooms. i had 10 minutes until i was off and i was trying to pass time.

at this point, i didn't even care if anything went in it's right spot. once i'm done with putting clothes sway, i check the time. 2:55. i huff as i "straighten" some clothes. it seemed like the last 5 minutes were the longest.

i make my way over to another section, i trip on something, causing me to bump into someone.

damn, elena. be more careful.

"i'm sorry, i wasn't paying attention." i say, my cheeks burning red.

i hear the soft chuckle, my heart sinking as i realize the familiar sound.

"you really need to watch where you're going, beasley." i smile at the nickname. he always called me by my last name.

"i'm sorry. i don't even know what i tripped on." i nervously laugh, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. i cross my arms, making eye contact with him.

he had a soft smile on his face, his hazel eyes staring into my intensely. i remember how that felt when we were together.

"hey," he says, realizing something. "i never got your number. i was really hoping we could hang out and catch up on some things." he pulls out his phone, unlocking it.

oh no.

"o-oh, uh. yeah." i say. he hands me his phone, and i type in my number along with putting my name in there as well.

"thanks." he flashes a smile. silence falls upon us. it was so awkward for me. why? maybe because you were still hopelessly in love with this boy and he was moved on and famous.

"well, it was nice running into you again." he says. "try to watch where you're going." his hand falls on my lower back, scooting past me. i almost faint right then and there.

what has this boy done to me?

i rebuild myself together, making my way to the front to clock out. i take off my ear piece and make my way to the back to grab my things. i immediately take my phone out and let madison know what just happened.

-

"elena, calm down." madison says. "maybe it's not a bad thing. maybe this is what you need?"

i could tell she was unsure.

i huff and sit on the couch, trying to gather myself. was i overreacting? i mean, it's ethan. there's nothing to be nervous about.

except for the fact that he has a new girlfriend and i was completely in love with him.