trees + vine, a separate peace au

eugene's september pt 3

It's been a few days since everything happened in the dining hall, and I've barely spoken to anybody. I've been keeping to myself in my dorm, and Phineas hasn't been back in the room in days. I texted Brin and Chet apologies on Friday, which they responded to, and now everything is fine with them, but I figured I'd try to meet with Clara and Lep to apologize.

First on my list is Clara. I'm too scared to meet with Leper right now. I left her a voicemail last night, telling her that I'd buy her a coffee if we could meet. I enter the campus coffee shop to see her sitting down at a table already, waving at me as I come in.  

"Hey." I say, approaching her. "Wanna order first?"  

We finally sit down, a hot chocolate with cinnamon in her hands, and a green tea in mine.

"So, I'm assuming you might want to talk about what happened the other day? In the dining hall?" She says, taking a sip of her hot chocolate. She's always been straight to the point, I'll give her that. 

"Yeah, I did. Clara, I'm so sorry. The whole scene in the dining hall was one thing, but at no point did I intend to insult you or your music. I didn't even mean to insult Lep, or anybody. But I did. I was an ass, and I have been an ass for weeks now, and I'm sorry." I say.

"You were an ass, that's for sure. But I forgive you. It's not okay, what you did. Not at all, and I don't want to give you the impression that you didn't seriously hurt my feelings, because you did. I tried not to be sad about what you said, but like seriously, Forest?  What the hell was that all about? You didn't have to bring the band into whatever crap you have going on with Phineas and Leper. So, I forgive you. And I'm over it, I swear. But promise me to never do that shit again." She finishes, nearly out of breath, but keeping her composure. 

I barely know what to say. 

"Thank you." I choke out. "I promise I won't. I'm going to make it up to all of you, I swear."

"You don't have to make it up to us,  just do better. Don't start fights with friends in common spaces. Stop hating Phineas for shit that happened when he wasn't even here. It's unfair to him and he doesn't deserve that. Say sorry to Lep." She lists off. "And you know what? It's one thing to insult my writing, but it's another to insult it when you don't even come to practices anymore. I mean what's that about?" She laughs, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'll start coming again."  I join in laughing. "Didn't know you missed me so much, geez."

"Of course I miss you, tree. All of us do." She holds out her hand to touch my shoulder. It's like a part of the group is gone, cause it is when you're not there." She takes another sip. 

"Clara," I say, trying to get serious, "I am really sorry about saying what I did about you and Lep's song. It wasn't right, and I don't even feel that way. You're an amazing writer, and I'd be glad to even have an ounce of your lyrical skills. I just said it because I was mad at Leper, and wanted to hurt him, but I shouldn't have dragged you and your talent into it. I shouldn't even have said it at all." 

"I know, and I appreciate your apology. At the end of the day, I know it wasn't personal, and that you were just upset. Were you an ass for saying it? Sure. But it's nothing that some snacks at the next practice can't hurt." She smiles. "Just as long as you get my favorites!"

"Thanks, Clara. And, of course. Anything you want- just send me a list."

"Perfect. Hm.. maybe I should get my friends to insult me more often. Kidding!" She giggles. "I'd ask if you'd spoken to Lep, but I'm gonna guess no?"

"How'd you guess?"

"Well, you're still shaking, even after I've forgiven you. And, he possibly mentioned this morning that you're a.. um.. a.. and these are his words.." She says quietly.