Remember me

Chapter 9

Mia

I think it's time to face the facts.

Nick doesn't want to know me.

I don't know what happened between now and the last time his hand was ripped out of mine all those years ago, but he has hardened his heart towards me.. And I'm not sure I can break through.

I don't think he wants me to.

The rest of the week  I don't try to talk him. I try my best not to watch him. 

On Friday I decide to pay more attention to my own boyfriend.

I ask Cole if we can hang out tonight just the two of us. He seems almost reluctant, which is strange, because it's usually Cole who is pushing to spend more time with me. He says he would love to, but he doesn't meet my eyes and Im not sure it's genuine.

Maybe I'm just feeling paranoid since I'm the one that's been thinking about someone else non stop all week.

Get a grip Mia.

We end up watching a movie at his house. It feels awkward at first, like I don't remember how to be with him. But we eventually settle in, joking with one another and throwing popcorn. At some point I must fall asleep because I wake up in the dark on the couch. It takes me a few seconds to remember where I am. That's when I realize I'm alone.

"Cole?"

He doesn't answer. I reach for my cellphone on the side table and look at the time, 12;49 am. I hop up and walk to the kitchen, "Cole?" I say again in a loud whisper. He's an only child but I'm pretty sure his parents are home and I don't want to wake them. Coles house is massive, but it's all granite and marble, which makes everything echo. I tip toe down the hall past the empty bathroom to his bedroom. I open the door and stick my head in "Cole?"
When there's no response I flick on the light switch. He's not here.
What the hell?

I pull my phone out of my pocket and call him. It rings once then goes to voicemail. Did he just ignore my call? 

I sigh and rub my fingers through my hair. I don't know what's going on but I need to get home. I send him a text.
Mia: Where are you? I woke up and your not home?
..
A minute later I get a reply
Cole: sorry babe!!! Some of the guys from the team were drinking and needed a ride. I ended up staying with them for a bit.
Cole: I didn't want to wake you sleeping beauty ;)
Mia: oh ok. I guess I'll head home.
Cole: don't be mad

I pause for a moment and realize I'm actually not mad at all. In fact I think I'm a little bit relieved. Not

Mia: I'm not. Drive safe
Cole: ILY babe

I tip toe back down the hall and grab my moms keys off the counter. I borrowed her car tonight and I need to have it home so she can use it in the morning.

..ygl
..
I slip in through my front door, trying to make as little noise as possible when I see Marilee is sitting on the couch. She pauses her tv show and turns her head to look at me, "Mia? I thought you were with Cole tonight?"

I sigh and come to sit down beside her. "I was, he left to go help some friends and I wanted to get your car back home for you."

Her brow furrows, "Well why didn't he follow you and pick you up?"

"I don't know, Marilee, I didn't ask."

I haven't called her "mom" to her face since that night after my 11th birthday. The night Nick left. It started from anger, as a way to hurt her. But now even though I've forgiven her, it just became a habit that I haven't broken.

"You two seem distant" She replies.

I stop short. "Who? Me and Cole?"

She gives me a exacerbated look and says "Yes you and Cole." She takes a deep breath. She obviously has more to say on the matter.

"Look, Mia. I know you tend to push people away. Maybe not even on purpose. But Cole is a good thing. A sure thing. He's got a future. You should be taking advantage of that."

Cole is the star baseball player of our school. Really of our entire state. He's already gotten into Stanford on a baseball scholarship and there are scouts at almost all of his games.

I shake my head "I don't want him for his future. I can make my own future."

"Of course you can honey. But it helps to have people like him in your corner. And he would be. If you'd let him."

I sigh. I'm tired. I like Cole but I am not ready to think of a future with him. I don't want to get married after high school and desperately cling to a man to provide for me. That's what Marilee did, over and over again. It didn't work for her. For us. I don't see why she thinks it's the answer for me.

I don't want to fight tonight so I just nod. "I'm going to head to bed" I say, standing up. I start walking down the hall to my room when I hear her say to my back "It's not often girls like us can score a guy like him. You should be counting your lucky stars."

I roll my eyes as I shut my bedroom door. Girls like us.