Chasing You

43

LACEY

FEBRUARY

I cannot get use to my class schedule this semester.

I really should have calculated the distance from one class to the next because this is not working for me.

Thankfully this is my last class of the day. We are only a month into the semester and I couldn't want to be here less. I feel like I did at the beginning of this year. Hating everything about college except this time around I have just stopped going out altogether. The girls try their best to convince me to come out with them to no avail.

I write down what the professor says in big loopy letters for the dramatics of it. I sigh more to myself than anything and glance at my phone time. Two minutes left. I sigh in relief, closing my notebook. My phone vibrates on the desk.

Julie: Just a heads up, the boys are over.

I internally groan. I have also, very efficiently, avoided them as well. I feel bad because I know it's not their fault and I don't blame them nor do I blame Braden.

After Asher went to see Braden he was pissed. Carter told me just how pissed he was. What Carter told me was vague and definitely not exactly what Braden had said which is fine, I really don't want to hear it.

"That's it for today. Make sure you do the assignment on Canvas," the professor explains. I shove my notebook into my backpack. I am debating whether or not I should go back to the apartment and hide in my room or go study somewhere. I have to face them eventually.

I head out of the lecture hall and head towards the apartment. I really can't avoid them forever. I shouldn't. Just because of everything that has happened between Braden and I does not mean I should end my friendships with the guys.

The walk to the apartment is short. I can hear them yelling through the door and chuckle. I have missed all of their energy. I open our door and am nearly decapitated by a beach ball. I duck just in time as Tori as her hands over her mouth in shock.

"Oh my God! I am so sorry Lacey!" she says. Trey is leaning over with laughter as is Jeremy. Sanders and Robbie are laying on the couch laughing too.

"It's okay," I chuckle tossing the beach ball back at her. I shut the door behind me. I toss my keys on the counter and head towards my room.

"Lacey! Stay out here and hangout!" Trey says tossing the beach ball at me. I clumsily catch it and nervously laugh. This is getting harder than I thought. I glance around the room again.

"Braden isn't here." Sanders breaks the silence. I swallow nervously.

"We know that's why you have been avoiding us," Jeremy says. That earns him a slap to the back of his head. He hisses in pain and glares at Rae.

"What he means to say is we miss you and Braden but we have to see him cause we live with him-"

"The point Trey." Carter glares at him. He clears his throat but Robbie beats him to it.

"What he means to say is we haven't seen you since the funeral and I think we should clear the air," Robbie says. Everyone looks at me with hope in their eyes. Hope that I will listen. I can't even process this. Honestly, since everything between me and the boys have always been so rocky I didn't think I would be missed.

This is so awkward.

"I don't think that's necessary really," I say shaking my head. It really isn't necessary for them to be doing all of this. Things aren't the same and that's okay. Things are meant to change.