Finding My Way

Always a Choice

Y/N's POV

It's not until we get to Jaden's apartment complex that I realize I don't have pajamas or a phone charger for the night until I get the rest of my stuff out tomorrow.
Sitting on Jaden's couch, I sigh before saying, "I think I have to call Chase."
"Why's that?" Jaden asks from the seat next to me.
"I don't have a charger or pajamas to sleep in."
"You can use my charger and I can lend you some clothes, if you want," he offers.
I think it over before quickly shaking my head. Something about wearing his clothes didn't sit right with me. Chase may have broken up with me, and I may be mad at him, but wearing Jaden's clothes just didn't seem right.
Not giving Jaden a chance to argue further, I dial Chase's number.
"Y/n?" He answers almost immediately, his voice tinged with sadness.
"If I text you the address will you bring me my pajamas and phone charger?" I get straight to the point.
"Yeah, of course."
" 'K, thanks," I quickly hang up and send him my location. He quickly texts back saying he'll be here in ten.
I turn to Jaden, "I'm just going to wait for him outside, I'll be back in a few. You can pick the first movie."
"Okay," he nods quickly. "Are you sure you don't want me to wait with you?"
I shake my head and offer a thankful smile, "I have to handle this on my own."

***

When Chase gets out of his car and walks up to me, I can see his hair is disheveled and eyes are red like he's been crying.
He holds a bag out to me, "I grabbed your hair brush and an extra change of clothes." He won't meet my eyes.
"Okay."
He starts to turn away but I stop him.
"Wait," I say, and when he doesn't turn back after stopping in his tracks, I grab his wrist and turn him to face me. I search for something to say, some reason for why I stopped him, but the only thing that comes out is, "I need you to un-compel me so I can use my phone."
"Right," he nods his head.
"Do you know how to?"
He gives me a knowing look, "I haven't had to, you know that."
"Well, try."
"Okay." He un-compels me and I quickly test getting on my Instagram and am happy that I finally can.
"Do you need anything else?" He asks.
I sigh, "can you give me a straight answer about why you broke up with me?"
"I already told you why."
"That's bullshit," I cross my arms over my chest.
He sighs and runs his hand through his hair, disheveling it even more, "you don't get it, y/n. I didn't have a choice."
"There is always a choice, Chase! How do you not understand that?"
He shakes his head, "it's not that simple. Not sure when someone can basically control your every move and thousands of people are always watching you."
I take the promise ring off of my finger and place it in the palm of his hand.
"Y/n, this is yours. You should keep it."
I shake my head fervently, "I don't want it as long as you're letting someone else control our relationship."
He sighs but doesn't fight back. "Jaden seems like a nice guy, you should give him a chance," he nods over my shoulder to the glass door behind me.
I turn to see Jaden waiting for me.
I turn back to face Chase, "I don't like him like that."
"Give him a chance, he might surprise you." Chase finally leaves, leaving me in a state of shock. Was he really trying to set me up with my co-worker hours after breaking up with me?