Until We Meet Again

5.

I don't hear from Nick for days on end, he doesn't text nor like my pictures, and I can't help but think i might've gotten a bit too excited about a tiny thing.
I didn't necessarily want or expect him to make a move, but I thought he'd at least text me.

I guess I don't know him that well anymore.

But that's okay, I'll unfollow him later if we don't talk. I really don't want to make a big deal out of it.

Things with James have gotten better, we've talked about everything we needed to. I told him how him making me feel guilty for not wanting to watch football with him made me feel like shit and like I wasn't doing enough for our relationship.

He completely understood, and told me he wouldn't ever say that again.

I believe him. I have to. Or else, our relationship would just end.

And I really don't want to be alone.

Yet, tonight I am. James is having dinner with his family, Tao is with Elle and Isaac is out with a friend.

He didn't tell me who, though.

All my friends have plans without me, and I do feel very sad about it.

But, tonight is a self care night. I do face masks, eat caramel popcorn, watch 13 going on 30 and drink some tea.

I work tomorrow, too. So I'm going to head to bed a bit sooner than usual.

As I'm deep into my movie, I hear my phone ding but don't pay much attention to it, i'll answer after Jenna saves the Poise party with her classic 'Thriller' dance.

When Matt joins her on the dancefloor, my phone dings again, twice in a row.

When i grab it from the other side of the couch, I literally freeze on the spot when i notice it's an instagram dm from Nick.

What the fuck?

I don't think I've ever unlocked my phone as fast as I just have.

@nicknelsunshine
hi charlie!

i was just thinking of you because i
saw mr farouk today!!!

he was so happy to see me and asked
me how you were.. had to freestyle
and tell him you were good and stuff.
he thinks we are still a thing im
sorry lmfao

just didnt wanna break it to him

Another bubble comes right after the last one.

he told me to say hi to you tho so
in a way that's what i'm doing!
are u doing okay since that night
at the pub? all good??

Reading the texts, I feel my heart going up and down, faster and then slower, and my throat tightens. If I wanted to let a sound out, I wouldn't even be able to.

Am I having a heart attack? Is Nick Nelson actually going to be the death of me?

I don't even know what to reply to that, i'm smiling like an idiot, my cheeks are probably all red, and my breathing is– am i even breathing right now?

Why am I making such a big deal out of an instagram DM, he did not mean it like that.

After a good two minutes, I start typing something back.

@charliespring
oh hi!!

omg mr farouk, the goat

your freestyle turned out to be true im okay, everything is good, yes! how are you??

He sees the text immediately, but it takes him a while to reply.