Laughter [Garrett Watts x OFC]

[I Get to be Bucky]

Garrett
I watched Elle drive away and felt so many different things. I felt a clarity that I had yet to feel; as much as I liked Aaron, he wasn't Elle. She was who I was supposed to be with. I also felt shame that it had taken me so long to figure out, and I felt rejection. When Elle was out of sight, I walked back in to Andrew's house.

"What happened," he asked.

"She loves me," I told him. "And I told her that I love her, too." I sat down on the couch, replaying everything in my head.

"That's good, right? Where is she?"

"I don't know if it's good or not. We kissed and then she got mad at me and left. She said it wasn't enough."

"I can't say I blame her. You've put her through hell the last few days."

"I know. And now I've got to break it off with Aaron," I sighed. Andrew and I talked for awhile, planning out what I should do to win Elle back. We brainstormed a bit and I eventually felt like I had some good ideas. The sun was setting when I left Andrew's house. As I drove home, I called Aaron. I didn't want to string him along; he deserved better than that.

"Hey," he said as he answered the phone.

"Hi. Are you busy?"

"I'm at a friend's house, but I can talk for a minute."

"I was hoping we could meet up and talk," I told him.

"You've made your decision, haven't you," he asked, already knowing.

"I have. I'm not over her. I'm so sorry for leading you on."

"Don't be sorry, Garrett. You didn't lead me on. She literally came back into your life, what, a week ago? It's not something you planned to happen and you can't help how you feel. I'm just glad you're being up front with me."

"I don't deserve how nice you're being to me."

"Yes you do. Remember how I said I've been where you are? We'll I didn't make the right decision or go about it like I should've and I really hurt both people. You're doing what I should've done."

"You have no clue how much I appreciate you, Aaron. You really are a great person."

"So are you. I'm sorry it didn't work out for us, but I really do wish you the best."

"I wish you the best, too. I'm sorry it's not with me."

"I'll find my person. It's just a matter of time."

"You're an incredible man and whoever you end up with will be so lucky. Thank you for understanding and not being pissed at me."

"Of course. I'm sad, but I'll be okay. Thank you for the good times we shared. Goodbye, Garrett."

"Bye, Aaron." I hung up the phone and sighed. I was expecting that to go much worse than it had actually gone and I felt so much relief. Now I just had to win Elle back.

Elle
I didn't know where I was, but I'd been driving for about five hours northwest and was near the ocean. The sun had set and I was exhausted, so I pulled into the parking lot of a small beachside motel. They luckily had vacancies, so I booked a room for the night.

I didn't have any clothes with me, so I took off my jeans and planned to sleep in my tshirt. I washed my face with the motel soap and then ordered dinner from a nearby restaurant. As I waited for the food to be delivered, I figured I'd call Andrew to let him know where I was.

"Are you okay," he asked as soon as he answered my call.

"Yeah. I'm in some motel by the ocean. I don't really know where I am, but I had to get away."