Richman High

Chapter 14: Part II - He Said Regret

What have I done? I clutch onto the most thoughtful present that anyone has ever gifted me and weigh out my options. I can run after her, apologise and risk everyone finding out or I can either wait until school, which is tomorrow. How stupid can I be? I need to keep my anger in check or I'll just lose an actual opportunity with her. Did I have to open my mouth?

"Spencer?" Mia knocks on the door. She shouldn't even be back here.

I unzip the leather case and see a well-treated mallet, an all too familiar mallet. Taking it out of its case, I see the embroiled strap: 'Adolfo Cambiaso'. Holy shit. I don't know how she got her hands on this but this is one up from the mallet I gave Oliver. Setting it aside, I make a mental note to return to this gift once the party has concluded. But first things first, I have to deal with Mia.

"Spencer?" she calls again, "Are you in there?"

I pace over to the door and open to see her fragile face, "What do you want?"

"I just came by to ask how you're doing?" She creates small talk. Something I don't want.

I don't want to come off rude but I need to put a clear picture in her head. If no one else is going to say it to her then I guess, I'll have to say it for the hundredth time. Here goes nothing. I wish Helen were here; she'd be able to help me. All this built up anger in me is piling up again and I have no other choice but to direct it towards her. I'm sorry Mia.

"Mia, I'm not getting back together with you." I lay it out.

"But-" Confusion spreads like wildfire, "You invited me to your birthday. I thought-"

"No, my dad did."

That look of disappointment is the same look she gave me yesterday on the field. I can't seem to escape my troubles and catch a fucking break. Why is it that every time I have a chance alone with my thoughts, something pops up and just ruins my day?

"Mia, don't mistake my dad's kindness for a second chance of this." I motion the both of us.

"I understand." She gives in without a fight. It's surprising but relieving. "We can't even be friends?"

"No." I slowly shake my head; "It's a hard line for me. Once someone's done something costs my trust then it's their loss."

"Then I guess this is it." Mia begins her trippy waterworks.

"Yep." I guide her out to the front of the house, where she's supposed to be. With the rest of the guests, that is.

I have to fix this.

~xxXxx~

"What happened to you?" Dad calls out, closing the door on the last of our guests.

I answer back from the kitchen, "What do you mean?"

"You were gone for a while when-"

"I just received a gift from Miss Douglas before she left."

Dad says it more of a statement then an answer, "I saw her leave in quite a hurry."

If I give him a partially white lie now then I can finish up this conversation and finally think of a plan to try to win her back. Yes. That's what I'll do. No mess or fuss.

"She said she had to leave early to mark the rest of our papers." I think of the most idiotic excuse.

What can I say? I'm under pressure and a lot of stress at the moment.