Half Hearted

Chapter Fourty

| Teresa |

The packing was hectic. Claire found a cheap flight online, but there were some setbacks.

For one, there was going to be two layovers, which meant an added four hours to the already seven hour total flight. Another setback was that we didn't have seats next to each other in all three flights. And the last of all, was that the first flight would leave in three hours - and I was only done packing my undergarments.

"Do you think we'd be allowed scissors?" She spoke from the phone. I raised my eyebrows at this as I rolled up my clothes and put them in the suitcase.

"Why? What do you need scissors for?" I asked cautiously.

"Hmm, nevermind," she stated, completely avoiding my question. I hesitantly laughed as we continued talking about what else we'd need for the four day trip.

"Socks?"

"Yeup."

"Sweater?"

"Mhm."

"T-shirt?"

"Yeah."

"Umbrella?"

I looked around for my yellow umbrella and spotted it under my coat rack. "Got it."

"Then we're good."

"Remind me again why you had to waste time and write the list down in alphabetical order?" I asked her as I tried shoving the umbrella in with my clothes.

"No questions. I'm the one organizing this."

"Okay," I chuckled. "Have you called a cab yet?"

"Yeah, but they told me they'd be slow today because of the blizzard. Flight's still ready to go, but I don't know if the taxi'll make it here in time," she replied nervously.

"If worse comes to worst, I'll drive us there and just pay for the airport parking. No big deal," I assured her, standing up from the floor and looking around the apartment to see if I'd left anything plugged in. "Besides, if we miss this then I'm taking that as a sign that the universe doesn't want me to get my closure."

"As if," she remarked. "Ever since my first date with Ryan, I've never given a rat's ass about what the universe says."

We talked until she told me the cab pulled in her driveway, and then I dragged my suitcase out and locked the door tight. Then, I waited in front of our apartment building until the yellow cab pulled up.

Claire and I shared the expenses for the taxi. We even skipped lunch because we'd just lost eight hundred dollars on the round flight. Besides, the second flight was serving dinner. We waited patiently until then.

The flights seemed to last forever, and with every fleeting hour I felt like my heart was going to burst at the seams.

I would be in London soon, and the wedding would be in three days - the rehearsal dinner being in two. The thought of dressing up to go to a fancy wedding started to dawn on me, but I knew there was no going back.

I had to face Ash whether I liked it or not. I had to get the closure that I needed, so that I could finally move on.

The pilot's voice made it's way in our ears, telling us about a short delay due to the stormy weather.

After we hovered the city for an hour or so, I felt relieved when I felt the air pressure get back to normal. I had to stop myself from puking numerous times. Even though I'd been in a few plane rides, I'd never been able to get used to the feeling.

"We're here," Claire breathed from behind me. I turned around and faced her, ignoring the sleepy old man she was seated beside.

"It's too surreal," I admitted, showing her the vibrations my hand was giving off.

Claire shook her head, "you'll be fine."

"And what if I won't be?"

"Then we'll drink until you are."

| Ash |

Ash had been spiralling downwards with ideas.

There were three things he had to deal with, and no solutions had come up.

The first was his relationship with Lily. It had only been two weeks, but he felt the need to publicly break things off already. The only thing was that he didn't know how.

The second thing was about Peter. He'd said something harsh, and although he was notorious for these things, he never exploded on Peter like that before.

The last was Teresa.

If she actually came through with it, and came to the wedding, he'd have to break every bone in his body to stop himself from seeing her. It was an internal conflict that waged war within him.

The rehearsel dinner was tonight, but he had made no move with his dress shirt. He remained sitting in his couch all day, snacking on chips and watching Hell's Kitchen. Somehow Gordon's yelling seemed to soothe him.

After three hours of staring at the telly and constantly checking the time, Ash gave out a breathy sigh. This was one of his best friends - with his other friends most likely in The Dungeon. He shook his head, remembering their plead to have him back.

Ever since he came back from Toronto, he'd been stopping his regulars at The Dungeon. Doing so lost him much money, but he knew it all for the better. He'd been trying to change ever since.

Ash knew that he had to make up with Peter, and whether he liked it or not, he'd also have to face Teresa sooner or later.

Checking the time, he knew the rehearsal dinner had already begun, but he changed into his dress shirt and grabbed his coat.

It was his turn to mature now.

{ Author's Note

The dungeon sounds like it comes from 50 Shades of Grey, ay caramba

GUESS WHAT THE DUNGEON IS ANYWAYS :D

I know no one in real life would ever do things like this, but I've veered off so much from reality, you guys just enjoy the vicarious living

~ QB }