Just maybe

24 - Torn

(Sorry if this chapter takes too long for me to write, been having some rough days and I was sick the last couple of weeks but I'm getting better now. Hope y'all enjoy this! Btw this is a bit of a different take, I don't know what I was thinking writing this chapter but I just find it interesting if I did it this way.)

Torn - feeling that one is at state of uncertainty between two conflicting opinions or parties.

To say that Azzi was pissed would be an understatement.

She was in-fact, disappointed but not surprised. She knew that her plans of getting the two most stubborn people to sit and talk about mending things between them, to save some of the remnants from their broken friendship was not gonna be an easy task but Azzi believed that she can, despite the fact that she knows that neither of them would give in. She was hurt, not just because they didn't show up, but the fact that they both just stop trying.

She was so confused why Caroline was suddenly distant around her, why she suddenly couldn't look at her and constantly avoiding her eyes every time she tried to talk to her. It happened right after that night of their disastrous double date. Where the unfortunate fight broke out between Jared and Paige. She thought it was because she was angry at Paige and was just trying to proved that it was just a big misunderstanding but as the days go by, she noticed the little changes in her. It wasn't just anger or embarrassment she realized, there was something else lingering every time their eyes met or when she looked at her with this unreadable expression, but Azzi just couldn't pinpoint what it was and it's not like her to lie to Azzi either. She knew Caroline longer than she knew Paige, and both of them had been best friends since they were little kids, so if she can read Paige like the back of her hand, so is Caroline.

Azzi didn't tell anyone but she knew Caroline lied to her when she asked her why she didn't come home and said that Jared let her stay for the night after they talked when in reality, she didn't even talk to Jared and just stayed with one of their close friend, Sam, who then told Azzi when Azzi was venting to her about what happened. It was strange, because Azzi didn't know why she would lie about it let alone let this thing between her and Paige destroy whatever it is that is left of their friendship.

Getting lost in her own thoughts, she didn't realize the person walking up to her table until they waved a hand in front of her face. She blinked, refocusing her vision as she finally looked up and was met by a pair of curious brown eyes.

"Earth to Azzi?" Maya smiled, tucking her hands on the pocket of her sweatshirt. "Hey, you good?"

Recognition flashed across her face and she straightened her back caught off guard, "Oh, uhm.. yeah." Shaking her head, she looked back and realized Maya was standing on the other side of her table. She tried to look around if she was there with someone else but noticed her laptop bag was slung over her shoulder, carrying a takeout bag on her other hand as she smiled down at her. Her eyeglasses were in place and her short hair was tucked behind her ear.

"I was on my way out but then I saw you and thought I come and say hi." She tilted her head, watching her face. "Are you here alone?" She motioned over her half eaten dinner. Surprise coloring her tone.

"Yeah, I guess I am." Azzi's lips shut in a thin line, her shoulders sagging. She glared at the empty seats in front of her as it reminded her why she ended up having dinner alone in a restaurant an hour away from Storrs.

Maya noticed her reaction and furrowed her eyebrows, "Wow, can't believe I'll find you here," she laughed. "What a coincidence."

She hesitated, waiting for her reaction. When Azzi just offered her a small smile, she continued. "Do you? — Do you mind if I join you?"