Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 2

"Baby, come check this out," Gwen exclaimed from the den.

"What is it?" AJ came rushing to her.

"Sara told me about this literature class. One of her friends is teaching it, and she thinks it'd be really interesting to me." Gwen handed AJ her phone showing the email with all the information. "I was wanting to sign up. What do you think?"

"If you want to do it, sure. Is Sara joining too?"

"No, she said she has to work Wednesday nights, so she wouldn't be able to go."

AJ handed her phone back to her. "Okay. Yeah, you should sign up." He smiled at her and leaned down and kissed her.

"Alright. Well, I know you have more work to do, as do I."

AJ headed back upstairs. Gwen was beaming ear to ear. She loved literature, and was excited about joining this class.

After about an hour, Gwen was done editing and had sent it to Nate. She was now working on a costume. The whir of the sewing machine could be heard all throughout the house. AJ came up behind her and surprised her with a small piece of chocolate.

"Chocolate? Chocolate for me?" She beamed while unwrapping the candy.

"We really should eat something more substantial, but I know you don't like taking breaks a lot while you're sewing."

"Mmm, you're right. But food is essential. What were you guys wanting? Or have you talked to Nate?"

"Haven't talked to him. I actually was wanting to take just you out."

"Oh, okay. We can do that. Where did you want to go?"

"Mmm, I am in the mood for some steaks."

"Ooh, that does sound good. Okay, let me get ready and we'll go." She got up and headed to their room. AJ smiled at her.

He went upstairs and knocked on Nate's door. "Hey, Gwen and I are going out to dinner. We should be back in a couple hours."

"Okay. You two have fun." Nate was concentrating on his work and didn't look towards AJ.

AJ closed the door and headed back downstairs to wait on Gwen.

Nate looked at the message on his phone he had received right before AJ knocked. It was from Becca.

"Hey, I know you've been avoiding me. Look, I'm not mad that you're dating. I told you that. I was mad you hid it from me. I don't understand why you felt you had to hide it. I just- I want to talk to my best friend again. Believe it or not, I do miss you. I— can you just call me? Please?"

Nate sighed. He really didn't know why he hid it from her either. It's not that he was ashamed of Sara. He didn't want to hurt Becca. There was a time he did like her, maybe even loved her, but she assured him she only saw him as a brother. That hurt him, but he understood.

But now that he was dating Sara, he felt— guilty. Like he was betraying Becca. They never had dated. He had wondered what it would have been like to date her. How her hand felt in his, how her arms wrapped around him would have felt, how her lips—no! Stop! Don't do this to yourself again. There's no chance. She said it. She doesn't like you that way at all.

Nate sighed again, grabbed his phone from the desk, and turned in his chair towards his bed. Penelope looked at him from on the bed.

Nate dialed Becca's number and held his breath.

"Hello, Natemare."

"Hi. How are you?"

"I'm good. You?"

"I'm okay," Nate paused. "Listen, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Sara and me. I guess— I felt if I told you, things would change between us. And I didn't want that. I want us back how we were."

"Nate, we can't go back there. You have a girlfriend. She will take up your time, she might even get jealous of me."

"No, she knows about you. She knows nothing has gone on between us, and nothing ever will." His heart hurt even saying that.

Becca sighed. "Well, how about this? We give it a trial run. We can talk, but not much. That way I don't feel like I'm pulling you away from her. She won't have a reason to get jealous."

"Okay. I agree with you though, I do miss you too. You're my best friend other than AJ, and I don't want to pull him from Gwen too much."

"Think about what you just said. I'm in the same boat as you."

"Right," Nate sighed. "I just— I want this to work out to where I can have both of you in my life. AJ, Gwen, and I get along great. Why can't it be like that with Sara, you, and me?"

Becca sighed again. "We will just have to see how it goes. I'd better get off here, I have some work to finish up, as I'm sure you do."

"Yeah."

"Bye Nate."

"Bye Becca."

After hanging up, Nate looked over to Penelope. "Well, I did what I could. Hopefully it will all work out."