bad timing

fifteen

"How does it feel?" Sam asks, picking one of the french fries off of my plate. "What do you mean?" I ask curiously, putting my face on my hand. "Being graduated, and stuff. Have you started looking for jobs?" I look up at him and sigh, chewing on my lip. "It's weird not being in school anymore." I shrug. "And about the jobs?" He raises an eyebrow. I didn't want to tell him. I really didn't. I'd been avoiding the conversation for a week now.

"I've gotten a couple offers." I say quietly, taking a sip of my drink as I look around the restaurant. "Seriously? That's amazing, Alex! What are they?" He asks, and I sigh softly. "One of them is local, just working on designing a new room for a school. Another one is, um," I scratch my head, avoiding his eyes, "A project in New York. They've seen my sketches, and they want me to lead a team in designing a new museum in the city." I mumble. "Holy shit," Sam exclaims, "Is that anywhere near your brother's house? I know you were thinking about moving in with him."

"Yeah, his place is a ten minute drive from the office." I rub my arm. "That's been your dream since before I can remember. You have to take it!" He exclaims, and I couldn't help but feel a little sad that he didn't want me to stay. "I'd be leaving everything behind. And I don't think living with my brother would even work out." I push my food aside, looking up at him. "Get your own place, then." He suggests, and I sigh, "I don't think I could afford anything in the city. And I'm not sure I would wanna live alone there, either." I shrug. "The job wouldn't pay well enough?" He asks. I knew it would, I just didn't want to leave.

"Well, I don't know," I start, but am cut off by my phone buzzing. My eyes drift to my phone that was sitting face up on the table, and my mouth falls open. "Oh my god." I say, my eyes widening. Sam glances over, a look of shock taking over his expression. "Jonas?" He exclaims. "Why is he calling me? It's been months." I say, not sure whether to answer. "Alex, do not answer-" Sam begins, but I pick up the phone and answer it.

"Hello?" I say, more curious than anything.

"Alex?" Jonas says, and I scrunch my nose.

"Why are you calling me?"

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I didn't realize how horrible I was to you until now. I got a therapist, and, I'm doing much better."

"Good for you...?" I furrow my eyebrows.

"That doesn't matter. I just wanted you to know that I'm really sorry for what I said and did to you."

"Um, okay. Thanks." I mumble awkwardly.

"I was thinking, and maybe I could buy you dinner to show you how sorry I am." He says, and I could hear the smile in his words.

Sam looks at me like he wanted to know what was going on. I took a second to respond. I set the phone down on the table and put it on speaker.

"So... you're sorry for what you did, and you want to take me out to dinner?" I confirm, but mostly just to recap what was happening for Sam to know. "Yeah." Jonas says.

"I'm sorry, but I don't really think I'm in a place to go on any dates right now."

"It's not a fucking date. I just wanted to buy you dinner to say I'm sorry." He says angrily, and Sam opens his mouth, but I hold a finger up.

"Yeah, that really makes me wanna go out with you." I say, trying not to laugh.

"I knew my therapist was lying. I was never the problem. You were." He says, and I purse my lips.

"Oh, okay." I nod, grinning a little. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"God, you've always been a bitch, haven't you?" He yells, and I turn down the volume so the other people in the restaurant couldn't hear.