Settle For Less (A Before You Exit Fan Fiction)

He Won't Even Buy You Flowers

After sweating my ass of yesterday, I immediately doze off. Last night hadn’t gone so well, I had an argument with Chloe and I hate it when we fight. Now she’s giving me the cold hard silent treatment she keeps on doing whenever she’s upset.

            I woke up with a start. I got up from bed at about 9am and went on with my morning routine. I splashed cold water on my face to help me keep myself awake, brushed my teeth, and tucked my hair into a ponytail. After jogging for half a mile, I went on with my morning stretching without Chloe because I figured she’d still be angry with me.

            I searched for my parents and found them in the garden having a quiet coffee together. I was quite odd since we usually eat at the main dining area or sometimes in the Nook when we have house guests. Dorothea, our helper, went on serving coffee and pancakes while my dad did his usual working-while-eating. My mom, on the other hand, was tinkling with the flowers at the center of the round table.

            I noticed that Chloe was nowhere to be found. I wondered where she is considering it was only ten in the morning. Probably still sleeping but it’s unlike her to wake up this late or maybe she’s just tired. I was the first one to arrive last night since she insisted on jogging her way home. I could’ve sworn she went home last night but where is she now?

            Finally I asked, “Where’s Chloe?”

            “She went out with Daniel about 2 hours ago,” my mom said without taking her eyes off the flower vase.

            “What?” I asked, shock registering from my face. “She left at eight in the morning?”

            “You know them,” my dad said. He raised his gaze higher to look at me. “Time doesn’t keep them from—” he pause for a moment as if he doesn’t know the right term for what he was about to say. “Who knows what?”

            My mom giggled silently. It was like they were having a private joke that I know nothing of. Dad was right. Chloe and Daniel didn’t let time bother them from doing what it is they do whenever they’re together, not that I’m implying anything. Obviously, Chloe was dad’s favorite. One time on our birthday, he gave her a new car even though she had the R8 already. Dad thought she could use a backup car whenever she gets bored with the other one. He practically gives her everything she wants.

            “Oh, Daniel said to give this to you. He also said it was from Howard,” Dorothea held out a small piece of paper and I immediately pocketed it. I didn’t want my parent snooping around my relationship. Also, I don’t want them to know about yesterday.

            I ate my breakfast in silence. I couldn’t take my mind away from the note. It was from Howard! I wondered what was inside the note. My expression turned grim when I thought about the possibilities of what the letter can contain. Can Howard break up with me through a piece of paper?

            After finishing my food, I immediately excused myself. I went straight to my room and shut the door behind my back. I sat on the edge of my bed and fished the note from my pocket—cautiously opening it, expecting the worst.

                        SORRY, I’VE BEEN A JERK. FORGIVE ME?

            I exhaled in relief. I couldn’t help but to smile. And here I was thinking it might have been a break up note. Of course he won’t do that, I thought. He loves you. I grabbed my phone from the table beside my bed, where it was charging and dialed Howard. He answered the phone on the third ring.