When it Happens

Chapter 18

I had spent the next couple of weeks after that Monday avoiding Nate. I didn't have to try very hard doing it; it was obvious he was acting the same way towards me. Every time I saw him, I just imagined him hooking up with someone else. The pain I felt with that thought was too much to bare.

On the days I actually showed up to fourth period and lunch, the awkwardness between he and I at lunch was more than evident. I had moved seats from between him and Shannon to next to Mason and Dave. Soon enough, it became easy for us to pretend that any interaction before our falling out even existed. Some days, it hurt me to think back to what we used to be, but then, I remember why we ended, and I didn't feel so bad.

I had spent so much time with him outside of school, it was hard to think of anything to do. Shannon was always busy with Mason, and my mom and brother were always at work or with friends. It wasn't even worth mentioning Bobby- he was never home. At first, it was hard, but I eventually got used to the empty feeling in my heart.

I guess that wasn't how I felt with Nate, but now he was a part of my past.

I was kind of angry at Shannon for leaving me high and dry when she knew I was hurting. She was there for me at night over the phone, but she mainly prioritized her relationship with Mason. Like I get it, quality time with your boyfriend was important. But when your best friend was cheated on, don't you feel like you should help console them a little?

That's why I was surprised when she came over a little less than a month after Nate and I broke up. I was laying in bed staring at my ceiling- doing nothing. I didn't really feel like doing anything after the breakup. I wouldn't say I was depressed, but I wasn't my happiest. Nobody really knew what was going on, besides Shannon. My mom was working full time, my brother was always out. I had nobody to talk to.

My bedroom door busted open with Shannon's bubbly attitude, breaking my thoughts. "Get up, loser! Stop moping. Get dressed, we're leaving for the baseball game in fifteen minutes."

"Why," I mumbled. "I don't want to go."

"I want to see Mason pitch and you need to get out of the house. Now, while you get dressed, I'll be in your kitchen eating cereal."

I groaned and pulled myself out of bed. I throw on some clothes and add makeup to my baggy eyes. I finished getting ready in a little over seven minutes, and I walk downstairs to see Shannon eating the cereal she said she would.

"It's 2:00, and you're eating cereal?

She gave me a look. "It's 2:00 and you were still in bed."

"Touché."

We got to the game and the bright light of the sun blinds me. We sit in the stands next to Fryer and Mikey, and they are both shocked to see me.

"Woah, awaken from the dead! How've you been, Kapowski?" Fryer joked, but I wasn't really not in the mood for it. I decide to be cool about it though, as I smile and nodded.

"I've been oka-" I started, but I stop cold mid-sentence when the announcer announces Nate Remington, number 6, was walking up.

6 was my favorite number.

I had totally forgotten that he was on the team. My friends understood why I decided to shut up. Instead, I was mesmerized into every movement he made. Every swing, every time he positioned himself- and I gasped and couldn't help but cheer inside my head as he hit a double.

"Hey, Viv, you okay?" Shannon asked, and I turned to her.

"You brought me here because he was playing, not because I needed to get out of the house."