Bad Decisions (Part 1)

Chapter 3: Friends

I sit amongst the group while they argue about who should be the headliners this year for Coachella.

"I really think Ariana Grande needs to perform this year. She is too talented to not be a part of it" Lisa argues

Julia shakes her head. The whole group gasped at her response.

"What? Ariana would take up the spotlight. Just saying" from that, I knew Julia was not a fan of Ariana Grande.

Alex laughs and looks down at his phone and starts to type. My phone buzzed right after. He looked up confused but turned his attention back to his phone. I take a glance at my phone

@itsalex

How is your first day? I look at him while he scrolls through his feed. I wanted to tell him then and there but I hesitated. I wasn't sure how he thought of me yet and I was already comfortable talking to him. I didn't want to ruin things or make them awkward. I stood up and pushed in the chair I had been sitting on.

"I'm heading to class," I tell Hunter. He nods and replies

"Okay. I will see you later." I nod and wave to everyone in the group.

"It was nice to meet all of you" I smile politely as the group replies in sync, "Bye!"

I sign out and walk towards the library. I didn't have class but I didn't know if I could stay longer without turning to him and telling him who I was.

Besides, I preferred to be alone.

I sit by the coffee shop and scroll through my feed while I wait for my ride. I finally responded to Alex.

It was pretty fun. I love all my classes. I remained in the chat as he typed.

That's good. Remind me what school you're going to? My blood ran cold. What if I told him where I went? Would he figure it out right then and there? I shake my head and respond

I go to Kingsborough

Seen 2:42 pm

He had left the message on seen for about 5 minutes before responding. I left the chat thinking he wouldn't respond. My phone buzzed.

Aye, me too. We should meet up one day after class. I cringe.

Received 2:49 pm

************************************************************

A few weeks went by and college began to stress me out. The only thing that kept me sane was the friend group

This includes Alex.

I have been avoiding his messages and keep telling him I'm busy so he drops his let's-meet idea. I still wasn't ready to meet him so every time we were together in person, I silenced my phone.

I walked into the engagement room and signed in, hoping I would find Hunter there. He was the only one I talked to when I went in and Lisa briefly.

I scan the room and find Hunter with Niki and Alex. I wave at them when Hunter throws his hands up.

"Just text him I don't know why you girls make things so complicated" he turns to me and waves. I put my bag down and sat in the seat in front of him. Alex was sitting next to him and Niki on the other side.

"We're pretty clueless at times. Just text him again, what's the big deal?" Alex said to Niki. Niki shakes her head and shrugs

"I don't know," she looks at me. "Girl opinion?" I nod and sit up straight. "Sure. What's it about?" Hunter groans and slouches in his seat.

"Well, I'm talking to a guy but he hasn't texted me in days. Alex and Hunter say I should text him but what do you think?" Niki asks.

"Who was the last one to text?" I am intrigued by the conversation.

"Me"

"Oh then absolutely do NOT text him" I wave my hand just as Hunter's eyes widen.

"Why?!"

"What do you mean why? If a guy doesn't text back it could indicate he's ghosting her!" I shot back.

"I mean it could be a lot of things," Alex chimed in. I shake my head and turn to Niki

"Don't. If he doesn't message you, you feed his pride." She sighs sadly but replies with "Okay. I won't." I smile and she continues to talk to me about this guy.

That conversation led to our friendship. We did everything together. We had lunch together, hung out in the engagement room together, and even hung out outside of campus. Eventually, we both became close to the rest of the friend group.