OUR WAY BACK // Jeremiah Fisher

nine

"So I take it you aren't hungry?" My attention shoots to Korey, who is sitting in front of me.

We were sat across from each other, in a booth at Adrian's. I was late, and Korey had ordered me waffles. He said because I loved them so much last time. I didn't have it in me to force myself to eat them this time. I was pushing them around with my fork.

"No, I'm sorry. I ate a big dinner last night." I lied. I was starving, but I just could not eat these fucking waffles.

He nods.

I've been trying to push all things Jeremiah out of my head. I'm exhausted. I've cried more in the last three months than I have in my entire seventeen years of life. I'm not even sure I have any tears left.

We only had three days left at the summer house. However, I can't escape Jeremiah. Not only is he my next door neighbor, we'll be at Finch together.

I don't want to just forget about him and I. Not forever. But, for now. I needed time to heal. To move on.

"Hello? Earth to Scarlett?" Korey waves his hand in front of my face. I shake my head, and turn my eyes to him.

"Sorry, I'm really tired. I must've just zoned out. What were you saying?" I force a smile and he does the same.

"I asked if you were ready to go?" Korey's eyes are soft. They're a deep brown, such a contrast to Jeremiah's bright blue ones.

Fuck. I have to stop doing that.

"Oh. Yeah, yeah I'm ready." I nod, pushing my plate away.

Korey and I collect our things, and slide out of the booth. We walked together back to the house. Neither of us spoke the entire way. As we stood outside of my front door, Korey finally looked at me.

"Can I ask you something?" His eyebrows are pinched together, and his eyes are laced with something I can't decipher.

The tone of his voice makes me want to tell him no. Whatever he's going to ask, I don't think I'm going to like.

"Of course." I say.

"What is it about him? I've never seen one person love another the way you love him. What makes him so special?" Korey, as usual, has zero judgment laced in his tone.

I sigh. I don't speak right away. I look to my feet, picking at the hem of my shorts. I finally meet his eyes again.

"I've known Jere my entire life, almost. Over half, at least. I've loved him since I was eight years old. He has always been my best friend. He puts me above just about everybody else, even when I don't deserve it. He can make me laugh more than anybody else I know. Jeremiah has this way of making you feel like the most special person in the world, just like Susannah. He is kind, and considerate. He feels like home. And without him, I've been lost. So fucking lost. He's the one that got away, the one you'll regret losing for the rest of your life." I'm nearly choking trying to hold in the tears.

I'm so tired of crying. All I can do is stifle the cries.

Korey's eyes are glued to me. He nods as I speak. Once I'm finished, he takes a deep breath.

"Oh Scar. You've got it bad." He gives me a sympathetic smile, trying to make me laugh.

I chuckle lightly, but when Korey's eyes dart behind me, it's cut short. I spin around, to follow his eyes.

Jeremiah is standing on the edge of the porch, his hands shoved into his pockets. His eyes are gleaming. They don't leave mine.

I don't even notice when Korey awkwardly walks away, leaving Jeremiah and I alone on the porch.