AS I SAT DOWN on the couch, Ava on my left and Hunter sitting in the armchair, I drew in a deep breath, finally calm.
"Thanks, Hunter, for helping me back there. I know today was supposed to be a memorable one for good reasons but I guess some things don't always go the way you plan, right?" I laughed at the irony.
He shrugged it off, "It was nothing, I was just doing the right thing. Besides, he deserved it for all the shit he said to you." Hunter's eyebrows were furrowed as he contemplated something else that was in his mind, deciding whether or not he should say more. After a moment, he began, "Oh what the hell, it's not like there's nothing to lose when I tell you this. In fact, you deserve to know too."
He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "A couple weeks ago, I brought Ava to a frat party because she was complaining about how her friend was in New York and she didn't have anything to do. While we were there, I spotted Nicole with some guy. It seemed like they were together since they were very close to each other if you know what I mean," Hunter wiggled his eyebrows, earning a quiet chuckle and a disgusted Ava.
"People said they had a no strings attached thing going on for a while, but I didn't think much of it. And then today when I saw James, I realized that he was the same guy Nicole was with at the party. He's been cheating on you for a while now, Hadley, and the way how he was acting like he was the victim irked me. I was so close to punching him but I knew that I had better things to do than argue with that bastard," Hunter scoffed.
My mouth was slightly parted, brows raised, after hearing this. I guess I didn't have to feel guilty about what happened between Milo and I in New York. That was nothing compared to James and Nicole.
But it also got me thinking, Nicole was too good to be true. Sure, she's kind, intelligent, has looks and many other qualities that make her envious, but nobody's perfect, not even her.
"Thanks again, Hunter," I chuckled. "How do you know Nicole though?"
"Saw her in one of my lectures. I thought she was cute when she walked in but I knew she had a thing going on with James so I didn't make a move or anything."
I sighed, "Even though what James did was wrong, I guess Milo and I aren't so innocent either. We didn't sleep together, but when we were in New York, we flirted with each other a lot."
"Who's that?" Hunter asked curiously. I forgot that Hunter didn't know who Milo was...probably. For a school with a huge campus, it seemed like everyone knew who Milo or James was.
"Nicole's boyfriend, and my ex from high school I guess you could say."
"Woah," was all Hunter managed to say, a bit shocked.
"Yeah," I chuckled lightly. "It's a long story."
After briefly explaining what the situation was, it was a lot for Hunter to take in. "Wow, we've been here for the same amount of time, yet it seems like you've lived here longer than me," Hunter chuckled. "Your life's like a rollercoaster, Hadley."
"Yeah, I'm starting to realize that now," I laughed lightly once again.
"You should tell him," Hunter said calmly, leaning back into the chair.
"Tell who what?" I inquired.
"You should tell Milo about James and Nicole's fling and how you feel about him," he replied, shrugging causally. "From the stories you've told me, it sounds like he feels the same way too. And even though he's with Nicole, I'm sure he'd choose you over her."
Sensing my hesitation, he added, "You don't really ever get second chances in life and it seems like life is giving you one. You should take advantage of it."
"You're right, but...I don't know. I'll think about it," I sighed deeply, looking down into my lap. Ava mocked me as she uttered the same words in a high-pitched voice, her face scrunched up, to which I glared at her for.
"Okay, at first, watching all of this was great, but now I'm starting to get frustrated. I wanna see this happy ending once and for all!" Ava said exasperatedly. She took my hands in hers and looked me straight into the eyes. "Hads, I know you're scared, but just shoot your shot. You may be surprised at what'll happen next if you talk to Milo about your feelings. Or at the very least, tell him about James and Nicole. He deserves to know about it too."
A sly smirk formed on her lips, "Cause if you don't, I'll happily do tell him how you feel for you. I'm not scared of you, Hadley, no matter how much shit you'll give me if it backfires." Ava triumphantly smiled, proud of herself.
Soon after Ava's bold statement, Hunter announced that he had to go because he had an early class in the morning. After closing the door, I spun around and walked back towards Ava, still sitting on the couch, plopping myself down beside her.
"I approve," I said, proud and confident.
"What?" Ava said, slightly puzzled at first but soon smiled after realizing what I was hinting at.
"I approve of Hunter. Even though he sounded like the worst human being on the planet from the times you'd complain about him, he's not as bad as you thought. In fact, he's even better. He barely knew me, but yet he still stuck up for me and was willing to beat James's ass right then and there," I chuckled.
"Yay!" Ava yelped loudly, giving me a tight squeeze. "I'm so glad you two are getting along!" I chuckled, hugging Ava back as I lightly patted her back.
â
WHAT DO I SAY? Ugh, it's just a simple text, not a letter dammit. It's been several days now, and I still hadn't come up with something to say.
hey
this is hadley
My leg shook up and down as I put my phone to sleep and prayed that I got the number right. Every ounce of my being was overwhelmed with adrenaline, wanting an immediate reply yet praying that I would never get a response at the same time.
A few minutes later, the shrill of an incoming message rung throughout the room, disturbing the silence due to anxiety that lingered in the air. My heart began to pound even harder as on one hand, I was desperate to know what it said, but on the other hand, I didn't want to know what they said. I just wanted to shrivel up and be anywhere else but right here on my bed.
With mixed emotions, I quickly picked up the phone and read the text.
hey what's up?
I bit my lower lip, contemplating whether I should press send or not. With a sudden slight boost of confidence, I pressed send before I could turn back, instantly feeling minor regret.
um, are you free?
They replied immediately.
right now?
umm...
sure
it's 11:30pm right now
how about tomorrow morning at Bella's?
right
sure
9:30 okay?
yup, see you then
Goodnight Hadley
Night
I nibbled on my lower lip, one leg resting on top of the other as I sat on the edge of the bed, as I stared at the screen. I scooted more onto the mattress and fell back, head hitting the soft pillows. Taking in a deep breath, I plugged in my phone and tried to not think about it anymore before I began to overthink. But I guess it was too late.
Many thoughts whirled around in my mind before I tired myself out and slumber took over, snuggling underneath my blanket.
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A/N: hello again! Who do you think Hadley was texting at the end of the chapter? Im sure you can probably guess who but tell me who you think!
As always, thank you for your unconditional support by reading the story! See you (hopefully) in the next chapter!
-Karlee ð