Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Two

'How have you been?' Holly asked standing in the stock room as Ecie looked through some orders.

'I'm okay,' Ecie nodded looking up. 'I'm just trying to get everything done.'

Holly nodded. 'So what's been going on with you lately?'

'I transferred to UCLA,' Ecie replied. 'It's really nice over there and it's so close to the apartment as well.'

'Why did you transfer?'

'Landon and I broke up,' Ecie replied. 'I dumped him.'

Holly stared at Ecie. 'But why?'

'I don't know,' Ecie replied. 'I guess I kind of had to. I couldn't let him lose his job because of me. He works so hard and knowing my luck in relationships, it wouldn't have been worth it.'

Holly shook her head. 'You shouldn't think like that. How do you know that the relationship would have failed?'

'Every single person that I told said it was really bad,' Ecie shrugged. 'What was I supposed to think after a while?'

'Have you talked to him?'

Ecie shook her head. 'He's been calling me and stuff, but it's just really hard.'

'Is something else going on?' Holly asked.

'No,' Ecie said. 'I'm growing up.'

'I saw Lauren leave your room this morning,' Esme said at breakfast with Verde. 'Did you have a good night?'

Verde laughed. 'It was okay.'

'What's wrong?'

'Nothing,' Verde said. 'I'm fine.'

'Are you bummed Lauren left without saying goodbye?' Esme laughed. 'She had class this morning and she was running late.'

'It's not that,' Verde shook his head. 'I don't know. I feel odd about what happened.'

'And what was that?' Esme said. 'You popped her cherry and by the sounds of things, you popped it pretty well last night.'

'Oh god Es,' Verde said rubbing his eyes. 'Please stop.'

'So how long have you liked her for?' Esme asked taking a bite from her toast.

'I don't know,' Verde said. 'Maybe since the first day I met her.'

'Wow,' Esme said. 'You've liked her for a long time. Why didn't you ever do anything about it? You should have said something.'

'What could I have really said?' Verde said. 'I've had this problem with my family disowning me and transferring colleges; not to mention work and trying to keep on top of everything.'

'That is no excuse,' Esme said. 'That never stopped you before.'

'There was something about Lauren,' Verde said. 'She's different to the other girls around here and different to the other girls I've grown up with.'

'What do you suppose makes her so different?'

'I don't know,' Verde shrugged. 'She's honest, cute, and funny, I love her smile...'

'It sounds to me like you're in love,' Esme said. 'I hate to break it to you, but I think it might be too late.'

'What do you mean?'

'Ethan asked her out,' Esme said. 'She's been hanging out with Ethan for a while now, and if you'd have said something sooner, then maybe you two could have been together.'

'She wouldn't want to be my girlfriend,' Verde said. 'You've heard the stuff she's said about her upbringing. Why on earth would she want to date a bisexual guy?'

'Because he's hot and funny and kind and special,' Esme replied. 'You shouldn't put yourself down like that. Apparently, Lauren's had a crush on you for a long time.'

'I don't believe you,' Verde said. 'You're lying.'

Esme shrugged. 'Whatever.'

'She really said that?'

'Yeah,' Esme nodded. 'She told E that she liked this guy and then she said it was you.'

Verde shook his head. 'Well it wouldn't have worked out anyway,' he said. 'Like you said, she's been hanging out with Ethan a lot lately. They'd be a cute couple.'

'I don't want to sound like a prude, but you took her virginity,' Esme said looking at Verde. 'I'm pretty sure that stands for something if she'd allow you to take it and not Ethan. You know they came so close to sleeping together.'

Verde looked at Esme interested. 'Really?'

'Yep,' Esme nodded. 'It must mean something, don't you think?'

'I guess,' Verde said. 'I don't know.'

'You're the one always telling me to be positive and self-assured,' Esme said. 'For once take your advice. This could be your only chance.'

Verde thought for a moment then shook his head. 'No. Its fine.'

'And you're really sure about that?'

Verde nodded. 'I'll continue to have a crush on her until it wears off,' he said. 'It means I'll still be able to have filthy dreams about her.'

'Verd!' Esme laughed. 'That's disgusting.'

Verde shrugged, laughing.