Bad Decisions (Part 1)

Chapter 8: Feelings

After Hunter and I called for a break in our relationship, I focused all my time on finals. I still couldn't believe I am halfway through my first year of college. I rarely talked to anyone from the group because Hunter was always around. In the beginning, things weren't so weird, but he had absolutely no interest in being around me, hence the break we took. Alex and I started texting again on my anonymous Instagram account and I would meet up with Niki in a different location outside of campus.

I had gone to the library to get some homework done and prepare for midterms when I got a text from Niki.

I got out of class early. Want to get food? I text her back.

Sure. See you in 20? She wrote back a thumbs-up emoji and I packed my bag and made my way to the cafeteria on campus.

When I arrived, I saw her and Alex with her. I froze and thought about walking away. Since the split, Alex hadn't spoken to me since that night of the Valentine's Day party but has been talking to Hunter. I wasn't surprised at this, given they were friends before I even met Hunter, but I was still offended since I technically knew Alex longer.

Not that he knew that.

I took a deep breath and approached them both, greeting them.

"Hey! We've missed you." Alex hugged me and I scoffed.

"I'm sure most of you have," I replied sarcastically and laughed. Alex rolled his eyes and Niki hugged me.

"We have, friend. I'm sure Hunter has too." I shake my head.

"He has. You guys just need some space since you went off on each other." I opened my mouth to say something but it was our turn to order food.

Once we paid and got our food, we sat down, ate, and talked about just about anything.

"So any updates with you and..." I ask Alex. I was careful not to say her name because every time I do, his face lights up and goes on and on about how perfect she is when she is doing nothing but hurting him. I have tried to tell him off, but he gets defensive and stops talking to us.

"It's done now." He sounded fine because, with his tone, I noticed he was sad about it. I didn't feel too bad because I knew he deserved better.

"You deserve so much better," Niki says. I nod in agreement.

"Yeah." Alex turns to look at me again. "Well, I guess I'm single." He chuckles and takes a bite of the sandwich, still looking in my direction. After we finished our meals, he finally stands up and says,

"I have to go now, but thanks for being good to me." I smiled.

"Of course. You deserve every happiness in the world." We both smiled, keeping our eyes locked on each other. At this moment, I began to notice his eyes dilate, and my heart started to beat louder in my chest. I broke eye contact as I had realized what was going on.

I was catching feelings.