Falling Apart (GANG Series)

Chapter 22

Aria's POV

      I sit next to Jacob, sipping on my hot, vanilla, chamomile tea. I've been thinking about something ever since Aaron came over. I'm kind of nervous to ask him. And it's so last minute but I doubt there aren't any spots left.

"Hey, can I talk to you about something?"

"Yeah, is everything okay?" He tears his eyes away from Ross singing Baby Got Back to Emma.

"Yeah, yeah. I just wanted to ask you something." I play with the loose thread of Jacob's hoodie.

He gestures for me to continue.

"You know how I'm leaving tomorrow . . . I was just thinking that maybe you could come with me."

"Wait, what?" No emotion.

"Buy a ticket and come spend New Years with my family and I. It could be fun. I'd really want you to be there. I know I'm kind of contradicting myself because I said slow but-"

"Yeah, you are contradicting yourself." A hint of agitation. His tone is a little cold and my minimal confidence goes down.

"I know I am. But I was just suggesting because that was the plan in the first place . . ." I get quieter towards the end.

He just stares at me like I've told him I want us to have a baby and adopt five dogs.

"Yeah, but things changed." Is he being defensive? "It's a pointless question. We broke up, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember." I'm growing a little irritated. "But you agreed to go when I asked you the first time. I just thought it would be nice if you came. I'd like to have you there."

"No." He sits up straighter. "I don't want to go."

"Okay. You don't have to. I just thought I should offer."

"Offer? Like I'm what, some charity case?" Yeah, he's definitely being defensive. I don't know why though. His attitude is hurting my feelings a little.

"No, of course that's not how I mean it. I just wanted to see if you were still interested."

"I'm not."

My heart sinks at his sudden change in demeanor. I go over what I just said in the last two minutes that could make him act this way. I don't think I said anything wrong or phrased it badly. His tone was too nasty for me to tolerate it. Things are different, I have to show him I won't be as forgiving and patient as I usually am. Especially when I, in no way, provoked him. I'm pretty sure. He's being so rude all of a sudden and I won't take it. I won't sit here and decide to forgive him on my own when he hasn't even given me any reason to. So I push myself to do what I have to. I get up and place my mug in the sink. I grab my coat and zip up. Jacob turns his head at the sound.

"Are you that cold?" He gets up. "I can turn the heat up more or get you blankets."

"I'm going to my house."

"Wait, what?"

"I'm going to sleep at my house. I have to get up early and I don't wanna bother you with that."

"I already told you I don't have a prob-"

"It's fine. Really. I'd rather be alone anyway." I hope the last line punctures him a little. Then kick myself in my head for thinking that way.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes," I frustratingly grab my over night bag with necessary items. "I just wanna sleep at home. It's closer to the airport anyways. You could sleep in that way."