Just Friends

Chapter 24

Maria sat on the bench in the college grounds waiting for Vicky's class to finish. She was looking over some notes when her phone beeped. Probably Vicky telling her she was going to be late or something. She picked up the phone and looked at the number that was at the top of the message. It wasn't Vicky but it was familiar. She clicked the message to read it. 

Hey Maria, I know you asked me to delete your number but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I'm sorry. Listen I'll be in Cork this weekend and would really love to meet up for a catch up if that's ok? Let me know. Keith x

Maria sat staring at the message on her phone for a few seconds. She didn't know how to answer it..she didn't even know if she would answer it. It had been 2 months since she moved to Cork, she hadn't heard from Keith since the day before she left. She thought he had given up on them being friends now but he obviously hadn't. She was just typing a reply when her phone rang and Colms name popped up on the screen.

"Hey Brat, how are you doing?"

He sounded cheerful but tired.

"I'm good thanks, how about you? Better than you sound I hope. 

He laughed and she shivered. Um where did that come from?

"I'm good thanks, just a bit tired. I'm on the way to do a few things for your dad now but I was working until 6 this morning so only got a few hours sleep." 

"Ah ok, that explains the tired voice I'm hearing. So is everything ok there?" 

They chatted for a few minutes while Maria waited for Vicky. By the time they were done talking she had forgotten all about the text message from Keith. Vicky walked over to the bench hand in hand with Gary smiling. They had met the first week of college and had been inseparable ever since. Maria loved that her friend was happy but felt a bit lonely sometimes too. 

They included her in almost everything but of course she turned down some of their offers. They were a couple and needed their own space. Today they had planned to get some take away and eat it at Maria's place. They laughed and chatted about their day in college on the way. 

Back at the apartment with the food they sat and listened to some music while chatting. Maria remembered the message from Keith and told them about it. Vicky was pissed, she couldn't believe that he still wouldn't let it go after all of this time. She quickly filled Gary in on what had happened and he too got annoyed. He was like another big brother to Maria. They got along well from the start which was lucky because she was their third wheel. 

"So what did you say to him?"

Vicky was looking at her waiting for an answer

I haven't replied yet...I actually forgot about it because Colm rang and then well...I just forgot" 

Vicky gave her a pointed look 

"Don't look at me like that, he was just calling to ask how everything is." 

"Mmhmm" Vicky nodded her head with a grin spreading across her face she grabbed the remote and switched the tv on. As she scrolled through the channels Maria thought of the conversation she had with Vicky less than 2 weeks ago. 

Vicky had just asked her out of the blue if she had feelings for Colm, she denied it of course because even she wasn't sure how she felt about him. Vicky insisted that there was definitely something more than just friends between them. She was over her crush now because she had Gary and well....no other man has existed in her eyes since she met him. She was convinced that Colm had feelings for Maria and she was so convincing that for a little while she had Maria believing it too.  That night was the first time she had a dream about him. It was innocent enough, he came to her apartment and confessed his feelings for her, they kissed and just as things had started to get a bit..steamy her alarm woke her. 

She went through the rest of the day feeling really weird and damned Vicky for making her think there was anything more than friendship between her and Colm. Later that evening she was still feeling weird when Colm rang. He was just checking if she was ok because she hadn't replied back to any of his texts. She brushed him off with an apology and told him she was really busy with schoolwork. She had three more dreams since but they never got any further than kissing before she woke up. She was starting to think even her dreams were trying to tell her something. 

"Riaaa? hello?" Maria blinked out of her daydream "Oh sorry, what?"

Vicky rolled her eyes as she shook her head. 

"We're going to head to Gary's, his band are practising there tonight. Do you want to come?" 

Maria loved Gary and his band were pretty good but she wasn't in the mood for it tonight. 

"No, I'm just going to stay here and work on my assignment. Thanks for the offer though"

When Vicky and Gary left she found her thoughts drifting towards Colm again....damn Vicky and her overactive imagination.