COVID Can't Break Us Apart

Chapter Ten: She Said Yes

Alva

Adora forgave me. I knew she would, but what about the others? I knew Jamie and Court deserved an apology as well, but I was still madly jealous at Courtney. I knew that her being liked wasn't her fault..but I was still ANGRY. So..not right now.

I finish online school and ask Adora how the others are doing since there's no way I know. She hits me with the truth straightaway--

Courtney's parents abandoned her.

I reread that text a million times. WHAT?! I can't believe it. I immediately go to Court's text inbox.

Courtney, why didn't you tell me?

It's been left on delivered for a whole half hour. Huh? She was the quickest to reply out of all four of them, Jamie took four years to reply to her emails, Adora even stared at it a bit.

And of course, like all guys, I could have cured cancer, have walked to France, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Canada and back, and could have done twenty seven 6 year calls in the time it takes for him to reply.

I start to wonder, "Where is Courtney McAllister and what on earth is she doing?" I realize I now have a reply.

Because you were angry at me.

Okay, I can't argue with that. It's the truth. I have no idea what to reply to that, though..she was kind of the reason I was angry. Then another text.

I know why.

Shock fills me. How on earth? Was she a detective or something? Luke wasn't the type to say what he thinks, and I know because I've been staring and observing for YEARS.

Because I liked him. I'm getting a start on getting over him luckily. But the pain will never fully be over. I know that. I'm also okay with that, because I know I'm not alone. I decide to be brave and reply.

I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have been angry at you..it isn't your fault.

And that was true.

Adora

I'm done with online school, so I figure I should text Courtie. I wonder how she's doing with all this.

I'M BACK IN WACO!!
Hello to you too, Courtney.
Hi.
How are you doing?
Good for all this, I guess. I get to stay with Luke for a bit. Don't know how Luke's parents are okay with that.

I laugh a little, because she was right, Luke's parents were never okay with ANYTHING. I guess they had been secretly hoping they'd get together like I was.

Haha, that's true.
Lol. How are you doing?

I'm doing well, thank you
As usual, I'm literally here wondering if my life will ever be normal. The answer?

No.
Correct, lol

I couldn't wait until I was able to see her again.

Jamie

I'm very bored. I decided to email Alva back. I have to admit, I was kind of afraid of her anger. I just want to be friends with her again. So I write..

Dear Alva
I forgive you for being mad at me. You had a reason. Getting rejected is hard. Been there, done that. Have you apologized to Courtney yet? I'm sure she's alone and confused.
Jamie

Alva replies almost immediately. It reads..

Dear Jamie
Yes, I have apologized to Courtney. Thank you for forgiving me. I can't tell Luke I'm sorry yet--you know why. This also isn't the first time I've been rejected..but the first time for love. You know what I mean, right? Anyway, I'm glad you forgave me. Thank you. Goodnight.
Alva Reene

We were almost all whole again.

Courtney

I run into the bathroom. I am crying nonstop, Luke has just told me that our love tore Alva from us. Then I get a text from Alva and almost break my phone from throwing it across the room.

I don't read the text. I don't do anything except crying and realizing that I was the one to cause Alva all that hurt and so was Luke.

Luke came in and said "It is not your fault, it is mine for falling in love with you."

"It is partially my fault for living in this town," I reply.

I cry even harder.

Luke says, "Court. What are you talking about? None of this is your fault and..and yet you blame yourself? Courtney, I don't know much but I know that none of this is your fault. Nobody in the whole city of Waco is less at fault than you."

I say, "It may not fully be my fault..b-but..I know I'm not totally innocent."

Silence fills the room for a while until Luke says, "No."

I say, "E-excuse me..what?"

He repeats, "No."

I say, "No what?"

He replies, "No more anyone being sad. Not my friend. Not my..girlfriend?"

I reply, "I guess you could say that."

He says, "Courtney, 'I guess' isn't a yes or no."

I say, "God, okay, yes."

He says, "Okay." and smiles a smile I've certainly never seen before.

I say, "Let's get outta here. This bathroom is uncomfortable!"

That was the first real laugh I'd had in ages.

A/N: SECOND ATTEMPT AT EDITING AND POSTING THIS CHAPTER- the first I accidentally pasted the chapter words THREE TIMES- very frustrating. And also Alva's thing on the men texting.. it's so true. Don't @ me. But yeah hope you enjoyed, let me know what you think!

TinyAzalea101