Logan

120. Anytime, Sweetheart

"Maybe we could get some food after? All of this shopping is making me hungry," Wren groaned.

I nodded and put a couple more boxes of forks in the cart, when I heard my phone ring.

"Oh it's Desmond, I'm going to take this," I shuffled back over to the cutlery and answered.

"Hey Des, I thought we were meeting up tonight, what's up?" I heard silence on the other side. "Desmond?"

I heard a sigh, "Natalie, I think we need to talk."

I felt a deep pang of anxiety in my belly, was this why he hadn't talked to me for a few days? "What's wrong?"

I heard his throat clear, "Uh... I think we shouldn't see each other anymore. I'm... I'm not ready."

"Wait, Desmond, did I do something wrong? Is this about the other night?" I held my breath. I knew I'd gone too fast for him, again.

"No, it's not you, I just don't think I'm cut out for a serious relationship right now."

"What about the dance?" I pleaded. "Desmond, please," I heard a whimper escape my throat.

Don't do this...

"You should go with one of your friends," he murmured. I heard a blaring horn and he cleared his throat "It's not you. Ok? It's me."

That line, I scoffed, "Save it, Desmond." I pushed the red 'end' button and resisted the urge to chuck my phone.

I walked with Wren as we moved in silence, my tears threatened to burst.

I pulled a pint of cookies & cream off the cooler shelf, pried it open with a spoon and sat down.

Wren chuckled and looked around, then knelt beside me, "Low blood sugar?"

I shook my head, stuffing a spoonful into my mouth.

"You can't lie to me very well, so let's try again. What's wrong?" He put his hand on mine and I jerked away.

"Wren, if you touch me, I'm going to cry. I really don't want to cry, because it took me twenty minutes to get this eyeliner straight," I choked, pointing at my face. I sniffled, tipping my head backward.

"Okay, then talk to me." He nudged my hand until his fingers twisted around mine. He lightly pulled, until he thread his hand into mine, then put it to his lips.

"Desmond broke up with me," I whispered.

Wren rolled his eyes, "You're joking."

I shook my head and handed him my phone, showing him my recent call list, "I'm not."

He glanced at my phone then handed it back, "Wow."

I snorted, putting the lid back on the ice cream. "You should hear what he said."

He just stared, "What'd he say?"

I tossed the ice cream into the cart, "He said, 'it's not you it's me,' which is obviously a bullshit line."

"He broke up with you over the phone, with that line, what a donut." Wren grimaced. He looked over, "What about the dance?"

I shrugged, "Guess I'm goin' solo." I sighed, "We have to finish buying stuff for the dance."

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I put the decorations together fairly quickly, with Wren and AB's help. It was easy. We'd set up the higher decorations earlier in the day using a bigger ladder, and I was happy not to have to climb up so high again.