SPARKS FLY - c. evans

xvii. it's funny and it's ironic

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
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"i know i have good judgment
i know i have good taste
it's funny and it's ironic
that only i feel this way"

— please please please, sabrina carpenter
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"Lizzie, I'm so sorry," Adelaide said as she entered the hotel room. "I know I said I wouldn't talk to him or anything but I genuinely think he's- oh," she stopped talking as she saw Chris emerge from her bedroom, wearing only pajama pants. His hair was wet and he was running a towel through it.

She cleared her throat. "What are you doing here?" She raised her eyebrows at him. "Is Lizzie here?"

"No, you just missed her," he tried to read the expression on her face but couldn't quite tell what it was. "I had to shower but Seb just got in and he tastes super long showers, so..." his voice trailed off. "How have you been?" He smiled at her. "It's been a few days."

Instead of answering, she walked to her bed and sat down, groaning as she out her head in her hands. Chris didn't say anything, instead he just followed over and sat next to her.

"My cheating ex is here and I think I'm falling for his tactics and I need Elizabeth to talk me out of it. But also a part of me thinks that everyone deserves a second chance and it's been years. So who am I to judge him on a mistake from something he did two years ago. If it were two months ago or a year, maybe I'd smack him across the face and curse him out. But I'm over what he did to me, you know." For the first time since she'd started speaking, she looked up to meet Chris' eyes, too embarrassed to do so before. She wished she'd just stayed looking down, however, as his face held a look of discomfort. Maybe even disappointment.

"I-," he started.

"No, don't say anything," she cut him off. "I already feel like a child, you don't need to treat me like one, too." He shook his head and pulled her shoulder up so she'd look at him.

"I think you should do what you want. You're an adult, and Liz gives great advice, but at the end of the day, it will always be your decision." He smiled softly at her.

She thought back to the conversation from the train with Lizzie. I can't really see myself liking Chris, her words echoed in her mind and a small smile began to form.

"But," he said in a tone you might use to scold a child, "don't get upset if he does something and Liz tells you 'I told you so'."

She nodded and gave a sigh. "I don't know if I want to be with him or if I just think I do. I think maybe I just want our friendship back." She looked down at her hands again. "Does that make sense?" She looked back up at him.

"Yeah, I understand that," he pulled her into him and wrapped his arm around her. "Just give it time, and everything will work out."

"You're a really good friend, Chris, I hope you know that," she said, feeling her eyes start to water. She quickly blinked the tears away.

"Thanks," Chris smiled proudly, "You're also a really good friend, Addie." She looked up at him and smiled, then she out her head back down and closed her eyes.

They stayed there for a few moments, before she shot her head up, nearly clocking Chris in the jaw.

"Where did Lizzie say she was going?" She stood up and brushed her hands on her skirt. Chris stood as well, running a hand through his hair.