Unexpected Encounters

Chapter 12

I got back to the apartment a few minutes later, and Gabbie and Kaia were sitting in the living room.

"How's your girl?" Kaia asked when I walked in.

I tossed my bag in her direction and she caught it with a grin before dropping it on the floor.

"This is so fucking awkward," I said as I sat down on the couch.

"Did something else happen? Or just in general?" Gabbie asked.

"Oh no," I said, "there were a few things."

"I brought up Cam, so I guess I was kind of asking for it," I continued, "but she made some comment about Tanner and about my other ex that was there the other night."

"Oh boy," Kaia said.

"Yeah," I nodded, "when I told her that McKenzie wasn't much of an ex and we just used to hook up, she said that seemed like a common theme for me."

"Wow, seriously?" Gabbie asked.

"Yup," I said, "I mean I know she's not wrong, and she apologized a few times...but still."

"Yeah I'm sure that didn't make things more awkward or anything," Kaia said.

"Oh yeah not at all," I said sarcastically, "also didn't make it more awkward when Cameron showed up to see her."

"Fuck," Kaia said as she raised her eyebrows, "you're having all sorts of good luck with this, aren't you?"

"No shit," I said as I leaned my chin on my hand, "and then it got really weird when we left, we tried to walk out of the door at the same time and I kind of ran into her, and we just - stood there, I don't fucking know."

"I think you have a gift for creating awkward moments," Kaia said.

"It does kind of seem like you have a gift for that lately," Gabbie agreed.

"Yeah, it's really great," I said as I rolled my eyes, "maybe I really should've asked to work with a different professor, especially since she's dating Cam."

"You think it would be that much better if they weren't together?" Kaia asked.

"Uhh yeah," I said, "I definitely do."

"Why? So you can have her all to yourself?" She teased.

"I didn't say that," I responded, "you know what I mean."

Although maybe that was one of the reasons why I thought it would be better.

I glanced up and saw Gabbie eyeing me suspiciously before I looked away again. I think she could tell that I was starting to have conflicting feelings about all of this.

"Sure I do," Kaia said with a grin, "but Cam is a douche so I get it."

"Right," I nodded, "it just keeps getting more awkward."

"I'm sure you'll survive," Gabbie said, "and if not, you can always talk to your advisor."

"I guess so," I sighed.

***

The next day, Gabbie and I were at the apartment and we were both studying. Kaia was out with a few people from one of her classes, so we were enjoying the temporary peace and quiet.

I got up and went into the kitchen to get something to drink, and when I came back to sit down, Gabbie looked up at me.

"Can I ask you something?" She said, "and you have to promise not to get mad."

"That's a tough ask," I shrugged, "but I guess so."

"It's just - well after we talked about your meeting with Whitney yesterday, it kind of made me think..." she trailed off.

"Yes..." I said expectantly, "made you think what?"

"It kind of sounded like you might have feelings for her or something," she said, "don't get mad I'm just asking!"

"I'm not going to get mad," I laughed, "but um, I don't really know."

"Do I want to sleep with her again? Absolutely," I continued, "have feelings for her? That I'm not sure about, I don't really do that part very well."

"I know," Gabbie said, "well I was just curious after the conversations we've had."

"Yeah it's a weird situation," I nodded, "I'm not really sure how I'm feeling about it."

"I mean I definitely don't like seeing her with Cam," I said, "but I know that's partially just because he's an absolute douchebag."

"True," Gabbie laughed, "but maybe that's not the only reason."

I looked over at her and rolled my eyes, still trying to figure out if she was right or not.

"I don't know Gabs," I said, "it's not like I can do anything about it even if I did like her, I can't even sleep with her to get it out of my system."

"Right, the whole professor and student thing," she said.

"Uh huh," I nodded, "so I'm not even sure if it's worth figuring out."

"It still might be," she said, "you won't be her TA or a student for that much longer."

"I think you just want me to get rid of Tanner," I teased.

"That's not true!" She said defensively, "well it's true that I'm not his biggest fan, but that's not why I brought this up."

"Then why did you?" I asked as I grinned at her.

"I said because I was curious!" She said to me, "and because I just kind of had a feeling there was more to it."

"There really wasn't," I sighed, "I'm not sure I would've given her a second thought if we hadn't run into each other again like this."

"I mean...I probably would've thought about how great the sex was, but that's beside the point," I continued.

"Okay I didn't really need to know that," Gabbie said as she put her head down and grinned, "but I do get what you're saying."

I shrugged and smiled back at her, but I felt like our conversation had only made me more confused.

"You always have a talent for getting this type of shit out of me, you know that, right?" I asked her.

"Well someone has to," she responded with a grin, "and we both know it's not going to be Kaia."

We both started to laugh and I shook my head.

"Nope, definitely not her style," I said, "but I don't like talking about my feelings, so knock that shit off."

"Hey, just trying to help," she said as she raised her hands up in innocence.

"I know," I sighed, "I just don't want to deal with this shit."

——————————————