Just Friends

Chapter 17

As soon as breakfast was done Ellen excused herself to go shower and then to try sleep for a few hours, she was really tired after the night shift she just done. Maria and Colm watched some morning tv before getting ready to leave. Maria was nervous about seeing Keith but she was glad that Colm was going to be there. 

She was so embarrassed this morning when her mam questioned her feelings for him and she quickly denied having any but she had been thinking about it all morning. She was so worried that Colm had overheard them but it didn't seem that way. He was a bit quieter than normal but maybe he just wasn't a morning person. She would hate to think she had hurt his feelings..especially now that she was beginning to doubt her denial. 

She definitely liked spending time with him more than before. He was into the same movies that she was, he was funny and kind...he always made her feel good when she felt horrible. He was really good looking but not in a conventional way, he had a scar on his eyebrow and chin from his earlier days. He told her the other night that he used to get into a lot of fights and if he had kept on that path he probably would have ended up in prison by now. Her dad had saved him. 

Her dad....that was another reason she would never admit she like Colm more than just friends. He would go mental if he thought there was anything going on between them. She could never do that to him. There was a soft knock on her door.

She opened it to Colm

He whispered "Hey brat, it's ten to ten...you ready?"

Maria took a deep breath, grabbed her jacket and bag and went downstairs with Colm. Moments later they pulled up outside the park. Colm had parked so he could still see the Rose garden, he told her it was just in case she needed him. 

"Thanks Colm, I really am glad that you're here." 

She sat in the car until she saw Keith entering the park a few minutes later. Taking a deep breath she opened the door and got out to go meet him. 

"Maria..." 

She looked back at Colm surprised, he usually called her brat. 

"Good luck" He winked and she smiled "Thanks" 

Colm's POV

He sat in the car watching as she walked into the Rose garden. Keith was standing near the bench but hadn't sat down yet. He looked across nervously at the car but looked away quickly when he saw Colm looking at him. Colm was itching to get out to have a little chat of his own with him but Maria would kill him if he did. 

She was at the bench now, Keith moved to hug her but she moved back out of his way. Colm smirked when he saw that. He sat watching as they talked. After a few minutes Keith looked upset, Maria stood and he grabbed her arm to pull her back. Before Colm even got his door open Maria had twirled around and slapped him. He jumped out of the car and walked quickly towards them. 

"Maria..are you ok?"

She turned to look at him, she looked pissed but her frown softened when she saw him coming. 

"I'm good Colm, thanks" 

He was beside her now and Keith had taken a few steps back. He was behind the bench now. Colm stared at him angrily 

"Don't you ever put your hands on her again" 

Keith gulped "I...I didn't mean to, I was just trying to get her to stay." 

Colm didn't say anything else, he just stood staring at him angrily. Maria turned to him. 

"Thanks again Colm but I'm ok, I promise." she turned back to Keith "Like I said Keith, I've forgiven you now but I want nothing else to do with you. We're done. Please don't call, text or talk to me again."

Keith looked defeated "But Ria.." 

Maria's head snapped up "Don't call me that" 

"Sorry...I just...I'm so so sorry. I'll go now but please, keep this...I got it for your birthday weeks ago. I really want you to have it." 

He stood holding out the box towards her. She took it from him and opened it. 

There was a little frame inside with their very first photo together. The date of their first date was inscribed on a little heart in the corner of the frame.

She scoffed at it and handed it back. 

"Sorry Keith, I can't keep this. I don't want to be reminded of you."

She walked away with Colm, he glanced back over his shoulder and saw Keith wiping tears from his eyes. He should be crying, he lost the best thing that ever happened to him. Idiot.