eleven- three weeks

Three weeks. Three weeks of me avoiding E's calls and trying to forget her in my dreams, almost every night I would dream of her, and every day she dropped by and left a coffee at the door for me. Yesterday there was no coffee though, same as today. When I got home from work, I grabbed my phone and saw a missed text. 'Hey... it's Jade. I got a new phone, and I didn't know if you wanted my new number or not...' I sighed and stared at the text for a few minutes; then, it buzzed again. 'By the way, I am so sorry... I know it's been a few months, and I've been working on myself and... I know this is stupid, but I would love to hear from you again...'

'We can go for coffee.' I texted, instantly regretting it. I need to get E off my mind; she's a... a fucking vampire, in what work is it realistic that we end up happily ever after. My phone buzzed.

'Really? Ok... uh, we can meet at Langton's coffee? When are you free?'

'I'm free today' why am I like this?

'Ok... see you around 1?'

'Yea' I laid my phone down and felt sick. Part of me wanted to call Cece, but if she knew I was talking to Jade, let alone going for coffee with her, I'd be dead. I got changed into a black tank top with a long-sleeve white button-up over it and a pair of black leggings; I slipped on my black Tom's and made my way out the door.

I held the coffee cup between my hands as my knee bounced lightly; why did I agree to this? "Hey, Viv." I turned to see Jade smiling toward me. Her hair was longer, almost to her waist now and slick black.

"Hey." I said as she sat across from me. I pushed a coffee mug towards her, and she thanked me quietly, we didn't speak for a few seconds, and she let out a small laugh.

"I'm really glad you said we could meet-"

"What do you want?" I asked, trying not to look at her.

"I just want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for... doing what I did, and I'm sorry for not apologizing sooner. I know it's no excuse, but I was mentally a wreck, and I hated myself for bringing you down too."

"So cheating would solve that?" I asked.

"I'm so sorry, Vivian-"

"Viv."

"Viv." She sighed. "I shouldn't have done it, and I will forever have that weight on my shoulders, but... it's been six months now, and I just want to... well, I was hoping maybe we could start talking again. I miss you so much, and I still love you."

"You love me?" I asked, and she nodded.

"Why didn't you think about that when you were fucking my sister."

"I'm sorry, Viv, please. You don't understand-"

"You got that right... how am I supposed to touch you again knowing you..." I shook my head.

"I know, I know... but please just-" She sighed, and I was ready to get up and leave. "Viv, please, can we try? To get over this- though it. I know we can. I love you so much, I'm in therapy now, and I haven't drank in three and a half months. I haven't smoked weed in three months. I'm working on myself, and I would love it if you gave me a second chance." I drank my coffee slowly as I thought. What do I have now? Nothing. My job, Cece, that's it. Cece is in school now, and what excitement is working as a cashier giving me...

"Jade... you really hurt me."

"I know I did, and I-"

"Stop." She glanced down at her mug. "Ok." She lifted her eyes. "We can try."

"Seriously?" She asked, and I nodded slowly. "Viv... thank you so much, you have no idea how sorry I am for everything... thank you."

"Don't expect things to go back to what they used to be," I said.

"I know, I know... I just really didn't expect you to..." she shook her head.