A Million Shattered Pieces

Chapter Thirty-Four

"No one is sent by accident to anyone."

Less than twenty-four hours separated me from graduation. The next day, I would be walking across the stage. The thought of standing up in front of that many people terrified me. It did not help that I would be alone at prom the day after that. Brock and I had not spoken since the day in the garden. I saw him in the hallways, tried to pretend that I couldn't feel his absence in my life all hours of the day.

I may be on the path to healing, but I was incomplete.

Twelve days had passed. We danced around each other, each sneaking glances at the other, the dull ache always there. Time passed slow without him. As I made my way to the bus stop, a longing tugged me to a different path. Before I really considered what I was doing, I found myself journeying downtown.

Water sprayed out of the fountain in city square, the pool beneath it full of crystal-clear water. It was one of the first places we'd gone to as an official couple. I could picture us there, facing each other, as he invited me for dinner with his family on his birthday. Four months made such a big difference.

Blinking away the tears, I hiked my backpack farther up my back and turned around. My feet took control once again, and I soon stood outside a place I had not been in over a month.

The Grand Docks. I never quite understood the name. Pushing the thought aside, I pushed the door open. A bell tinkled. An older host looked up at me and smiled.

"Welcome! Table for one?"

I glanced around, wondering why I'd even come here. Finally, I nodded.

He led me a smaller table, far away from the aquarium. I hesitated. There was hardly anyone in the restaurant, since it was just after three in the afternoon.

"Actually, do you think it would be possible for me to get a table beside the fish tank?" Heat rushed to my as I asked the question.

The host grinned. "Of course. You aren't the only person who asks for one of those seats, trust me." He placed me at the exact same table Brock had asked me to be his girlfriend at.

I tried to smile, but a wave of bitter-sweet memories swept over me.

Once the host left me alone, I turned to watch the fish swim by. I missed Brock. More than I could ever try to explain. Though he made me sad, he also made me so undeniably happy. I no longer cared about the pain and heartache of the past four months, I wanted to be with him again. To give us a second try, and to fix all the mistakes we'd made the first time.

Tears rushed down my cheeks, and I sniffled, wiping at them before someone could notice. It was bad enough that I spent most of my days alone, I didn't need people to feel sorry for me too.

"Hi! I'm Darcy and I'll be your—oh, hey! It's you!" I turned around, and the smile disappeared when Darcy saw my face. "What's wrong? Where's your sorta date partner? I've never seen you here without him."

I tried to laugh, but it sounded like a restrained sob. "We aren't doing too well, actually. I honestly have no idea what I'm doing here. I should go."

"Wait!" She stepped in front of me, blocking the way out of the booth. "My shift is over in half an hour. Stay here, okay? I know when a girl needs someone to talk to."

I hesitated. Darcy was a stranger, someone I had only ever spoken to when ordering a meal. Her advice might be insane.

"Please." She clasped her hands together in front of her and pretended she was about to get on her knees. "I know we don't know each other, but I seriously care about people."