Choosing Us

Part XVII: I Didn't Know He Had It In Him

I waved one last time as I continued towards my terminal. My wave was reciprocated by my mother with the addition of some tears. I found my seat and began browsing my phone before I would be directed to put it on airplane mode. As I was looking at the latest pictures of Charlie that Liv had sent me since she was house and dog sitting for me, my phone buzzed unexpectedly  startling me. I saw the text message was from an unknown sender and it read, 

"If you ever change your mind about that kiss or decide not to give lover boy another chance, just know... I'm around. ;)" 

My stomach seemed like the plane had already taken flight. I was stunned and confused about how Mason got my phone number, but I responded:

"Stalker, much? HA! I'll keep that in mind. I appreciate you volunteering. ;) My plane's about to take off." 

My phone buzzed a few seconds later:

"Only for you, and I hope you do keep me in mind. I know I haven't been able to get you out of my head since I met you. Okay- now that I have thoroughly spilled my guts out... I hope that you have a safe flight, and is it cheesy if I ask you to text me when you get home safe??" 

I smiled and began typing:

"Good know that I'm special. I don't think I could forget about you if I tried. Thank you, and I'll text you when I get home.

Oh! Can you keep an eye on my dad for me, please?"

Promptly, my phone buzzed in response from Mason:

"For you, of course. But it is also kinda my job. ;) Bye, Beautiful." 

I smiled and put my phone on airplane mode. I sat back in my chair. Well, as far as I could that is because I had forgotten how uncomfortable these chairs were. I looked out the window and began to think about what Wyatt. Where he was and what he was doing. Whether or not he still cared about me. As I continued in thought, I drifted to sleep. 

I woke up just in time for the signage and direction to put my seatbelt back on. As the plane secured itself to the airport, passengers began collecting their items and eagerly awaited permission to depart the airplane. I finally found my suit case and began making my way back to the front entrance when I saw Liv's tall frame and blonde hair. She was holding a large sign saying: "WELCOME HOME, TORI!" I squealed and took off running, and she caught sight of me and matched my energy running towards me as well. We ran into each other with such force we almost fell over. Our laughter must have been impressively loud, and I am sure that to onlookers, it appeared as if I have been gone for years. "Now, let's go before I get a ticket," Liv said. "Wait... where did you park?" I said looking concerned. "Oh, it'll be fine. It was mostly a parking spot," Liv said said unconcerned. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. "At least you drove your car..." I said trying to calm myself. "Uh... not exactly. I decided to liven things up- so, I'm driving yours." She said smiling devilishly. "Car, now." I said with as serious of a tone as a I could muster but then bursted into laughter. We arrived at my car without any ticket and I was both surprised and relieved. 

...

I pulled into my drive way, and Liv was still asleep. I lightly shook her and said, "we're back." Her eyes slowly opened and she readjusted herself in her seat to take in the view. "Oh, I'll grab my stuff and let you have some time to yourself-" she began to say, but I stopped her and said, "Liv, you're exhausted. Go to bed. We have school tomorrow." She nodded her head in agreement and slowly got out of the car and sleepily walked into the house towards the bedroom that had steadily become hers. I pulled out my luggage and took it into the house. I spent some time with Charlie, and then, I sat on my bed and pulled out my cellphone. I first texted my parents that I got home safely and that I loved them. I then texted Mason:

"I made it home. :)"

I waited for about a minute without response and then decided to begin getting ready for bed. I took a shower, brushed my teeth and put on my skincare. When I returned to where I had placed my phone, I saw a text message and missed FaceTime call. I saw that both were from Mason. Without effort, a smile appeared on my face. I read:

"Ah- my heart. XP Declined the FaceTime call. JK I get it. I may be coming on too strong. If that's the case, let me know and I'll back off, but I at least have to try. ;) I am glad that you're back home safe. Now, it's late where you are- so try to get some sleep and maybe, if you want to, text me tomorrow? ;)"

I typed back:

"I was taking a shower. I did not decline you ;) I'm still trying to figure things out, but I'm happy to text you tomorrow :)" 

I turned out the lights and tucked myself into my bed. My phone buzzed again and it lit up my room. I smiled and almost giggled to myself. I couldn't help but grab my phone and looked:

"Taking a shower? Damn... okay. That's a start to a conversation, not an ending. JK  Goodnight, beautiful!"

I smiled and locked my phone screen so that I could go to sleep, but who was I kidding- there would be no sleeping tonight. 

...

The next day, Liv and I were just as exhausted as I had anticipated. We were barely human throughout our first period, but I was hopeful and living on hope that Wyatt would be in second period, but as we rounded the corner to the classroom, Liv and I saw Mrs. Larney again. I sighed deeply and almost turned around but Liv grasped both shoulders and said, "No, we have come too far. We can make it one more period." I groaned at her and rested my head on her shoulder. I then turned and made my way to our desk. We sat through the period and then returned back to my car. "So, Wyatt just quit?!" I said exhausted and emotional. "Maybe." Liv said defeated. "I mean, have you texted him?" She asked, and though it was a valid question, I had been to afraid to try to reach out to him after I treated him. "No..." I said sadly. Suddenly, a loud banging came from my door window and scared Liv and I half to death. I turned and saw that it was Shane. I breathed a sigh of relief. Liv groaned and whispered, "you still haven't cut this guy loose?!" My elbow made it's way to make contact with her to encourage her to be quiet. "OUCH!" Liv said. I rolled down my window. "Hey.... Shane...." I said weakly. I was worried what the interaction would be like as I had not once texted or answered any phone calls from Shane during the holidays which had lasted close to a month. I expected this interaction to go poorly and understandably so. I felt that I deserved an awkward and critical response from Shane. "Uh, Tori. Are you okay? You haven't been answering any of my calls or texts. I was worried," Shane said hesitantly. Tori then looked at me and had to hold back giggles. "Yes, I'm fine. I just... I just..." I tried to come up with the words but they kept disappearing. "Listen, Tori. I like you, but I don't think this is working out. I know prom is coming up, and I just really want to go with someone who... well... someone who actually wants to go with me." Shane's words stunned me. My eyes widened and my mouth parted in surprise. Liv said, "damn." I nodded my head slowly without words for a few seconds and then said. "Okay... so, I guess-" I began but again was interrupted. "Tori, I think we should call it. It was nice for what it was, but I think we should part ways." My surprise continued. I nodded and said, "Okay, Shane." He then smiled and sighed with relief. "Phew, okay. I do want to still be friends, Tori, but that's been weighing on me." Liv saw that I was still paralyzed with shock and responded for me, "Yeah, she felt the same way. I'm glad y'all can still be friends though. Bye, Shane!" She said with a smile. I turned back to her while I was rolling up my window and both of us started laughing awkwardly to the point of tears. 

"Did Shane Crowe just break up with me?" I asked tears streaming down my face as I laughed. "Yeah, I didn't know he had it in him, but that's what happens when two nice people date- no one wants to be the one that calls it- but I am so happy he did. Now we can focus on Mr. Nurse." Liv said with sensuality. "The only man I am interested in right now is Mr. Sandman." I said trying to not talk anymore about guys at this point. "But seriously," Liv continued, "You need a break, Tori. Maybe, this Friday, we should have a girls night in? My parents are going out of town, and I know where they stash their vodka." I looked at her in surprise. "Liv, what the fuck! We can't do that!" I said appalled by her offer. "Yes, we can. In fact, we should. That's what young people do- they do stupid stuff and blow off steam." Liv said defensively. I took a moment to consider- "Maybe." I finally concluded. 

"I'll take it." Liv said with a smile and turned on the radio.