Inevitable

Chapter 75

The complicated feelings that were stressing me out got worse over the next week. Henry packed up his stuff and moved to New York City. He kept telling me it was temporary but I just had a feeling things were going in a different direction. Nothing had ever been easy for us so why would this be any different.

I made a decision to be the most supportive girlfriend in the world. Fake it till you make it, right? I hated myself for not being more happy for him and I didn't want to come off as a needy, selfish person. So I pretended to be okay with the fact that he was so busy recording that I was lucky to get a few texts from him everyday. And his plan to come visit me over the weekend got scraped because their recording schedule had them in the studio all day, everyday. His days would go late into the night and I tried to stay awake for his phone calls but it was impossible. So we went a few weeks without really talking. And I tried to convince myself to be happy for my boyfriend who was realizing his dream. But I was very lonely. And scared. His life was moving in a direction that would take him away from me. And I never wanted to live without him again.

And just like that, summer was over and it was time to go back to school. Henry and his band would not be making it back for the first week of classes. He told me on a quick phone call on his lunch break. They still hadn't finished recording all the songs they wanted to and they had a bunch of meetings and a showcase scheduled. I almost let my mask slip and breakdown but thankfully I caught myself. I didn't want to be a distraction for him.

Heading back to school was bittersweet. I was so happy to be back with my friends and what I now considered my real life. But doing it without Henry was hard. I had to keep reminding myself that at least I had him back as my boyfriend. I arrived at my new apartment first. After my mom helped me bring in all my stuff, we said our goodbyes and she headed back home.

I loved my new place. It was a one bedroom that Jane and I would be sharing but we were use to that by this point. I was most excited about having my own kitchen and a bathroom for just the two of us. Our own space that we didn't have to share with anyone else. Well, if we didn't want to. I'm sure Bill would be here a lot and when Henry gets back.... That train of thought took me down a deep dark hole that I was using all my energy to ignore. Luckily, before I could dwell on whether or not my boyfriend was coming back or not, Jane came through the door with her parents and a mountain of stuff.

After she dropped what she was carrying, I ran and jumped in her arms. We had not been able to see each other at all over the summer and I missed my best friend so much. Of course, we talked and texted and FaceTimed all the time but it wasn't the same as having my favorite person in the world right in front of me. After our enthusiastic greeting, I helped Jane and her parents bring all her stuff in from their car. Our apartment was now filled with boxes, grocery bags, trash bags, and luggage. At least I would be too busy unpacking over the next few days to think about anything.

A few hours later, Jane's parents had left and we were sitting on the floor of our now very messy apartment eating a pizza we had ordered  when the doorbell rang. Jane got up to answer and as soon as the door opened, I heard the unmistakable sound of my other best friend screaming. After assaulting Jane's eardrums, Jess ran over and tackled me with her version of a hug.

"It's junior year bitches! And we are out of the dorms! Woohoo!"

I tried pushing her off of me but I was laughing too hard. It felt so good to be back with my girls. Being around them made me feel stronger and like I could handle my long-distance relationship.

"Good to see you too Jess but I can't breath. Get off of me!" I yelled at her between giggling fits. She jumped up and gave me her hand to pull me up. After all three of us were standing, she put her arm around both of us.

"So what sort of shenanigans are we getting into tonight ladies. Frat party? House party? Stay in and play drinking games since we don't have to worry about RA's busting us?" She looked between both of us expectantly.

"We were just going to work on unpacking, I think. This place looks like a bomb went off. And our bedroom is even worse. I can't even see my bed because all my clothes are piled up on top of it." I answered her. I really did just want to get settled in.

"No no no! We are partying tonight even if I have to drag you by your feet! Let me text some people and find out what's going on." She stepped away from us and pulled out her phone and started typing away. Jane just shook her head at me in exasperation and I rolled my eyes. We both knew Jess would not take no for an answer so there was no choice but to give in. And if Jess was planning the night, we were bound to have a good time.

I started cleaning up the mess from the pizza. I would have to dig through the mountain of clothing on my bed to find something to wear. And I guess I should shower. I decided to shoot a text to Henry even though I knew I wouldn't hear back from him anytime soon. He turned his phone off when he was in the studio recording. I just let him know I was in my apartment and I was going out for the night but to call me if he had a chance. No matter what I would pick up. I hadn't heard his voice in a few days so I was desperate for him to call me. Jess interrupted my thoughts before I could spiral.

"Ok, so one of Nick's friends is having a big back to school house party tonight. All the guys are going. So that's what we are doing. I need to head back to my place and get ready. Go make yourselves pretty. We leave in 2 hours."

Before either one of us could respond, Jess was out the door. She was like a tornado that barged in, upended our plans, and left just as quickly as she came. Never a dull moment!

While I got ready, I felt a little apprehensive about going out with Jane and Jess and their boyfriends. I was going to be a fifth wheel. I had to keep telling myself that Henry would come back to me and I couldn't spend all my time wallowing. College was supposed to be the best time of my life and I intended to make that the truth.