I Hate You, but I Love You!

Chapter 8: Chloe "Nightmare"

"Oh my god, Chloe! He just texted me back...he says he wants to see me in person...what should I say? What do you think? Ugh!"

I attempted keeping my phone balanced between my ear and shoulder while I folded my laundry at the Laundromat. Hazel had called me a couple minutes ago to complain about Johnny when at that exact moment he had started texting her.

"I don't know, Z. It's your choice. I just want you to remember that it's not like you guys were actually dating or anything."

She huffed. "So, what? You think I over-reacted?" Her tone was slightly accusing. She paused for a moment before saying, "Okay, maybe I did. A little. But you know how I get when I'm drunk!"

I sighed. "Hazel, just meet up with him tomorrow. Hear what he has to say, then make your choice."

She sighed too. "I don't know what to do."

I made a face. The only lady next to me gave me a look. Instead of responding, I asked, "How much do you like him?"

She didn't answer right away. It took a few seconds before she whispered, "A lot."

I rolled my eyes. Leave it to Hazel to 'like a lot' a bad guy. "I don't know, Hazel. If he really liked you, he wouldn't have gone after other girls." She was silent and I shook my head at my next words. "But maybe he feels really bad about it and you should listen to what he has to say. It's really up to you."

She sighed again before briefly hesitating. I listened to the silence on the other end as I finished up folding my clothes.

"Okay," She said, "I'm texting him that I'll see him. Okay. I'm pressing send."

"Okay. Be careful, Zel. Remember to use your head. Lemme know how it goes tomorrow."

"Okay," She said distantly, "Oh my god he just replied! That was so fast! Okay, right, you gotta go. I'll talk to you tomorrow!"

"Bye." I said and we hung up. If I had a dollar for every time Hazel had called me to complain about boys, I'd have at least...I don't know, like twelve dollars.

I picked up my basket full of folded clothes and headed towards my car. It was a grey Honda Civic from 1993. It was old and at the time didn't even run properly, but it was the only car I could afforded for 3 years ago. I put the basket in the back seat and got in.

Before starting the car I looked at myself in the rear-view mirror. My hangover was gone, but my eyes were still a little bloodshot and they still had slightly dark circles under them. Looking at myself, I thought about the first time I had sat in this car.

I was only sixteen and had somehow managed to scrap up enough money to buy this "piece of junk" as Jason had called it. I could barely get the car to function and had to work countless hours at the Diner in order to pay for the gas. My best friend - ex-best friend - ex-boyfriend - whatever - Jason had spent at least 10 hours in total fixing it up. Yet there I was, sitting in my brand new car for the first time and happy as ever. I felt so accomplished, so grown up, so...independent.

I started thinking about Jason. God, everything was so different then. I remember when we were twelve, and we would race on our bikes to see who could go the fastest. I remembered when we were fourteen, and we would climb the roof of the ancient shack in his backyard to watch the stars. When we were sixteen, and were forced to kiss during spin the bottle. When he had picked me up from work, only to tell me that he loved me and wanted to be with me. When we were sitting in his room, already having been dating for two months, and he had wanted to...and I had said no...And he got mad and had tried to...

I jerked myself awake from the memories. I turned my car on and snatched it in reverse. I would not think about Jason. I would not think about my past. I was starting over. I was a new person.

As I pulled my car in reverse I absent mindedly forgot to look behind me to check on my blind spot. As I started moving backwards I felt a sudden thud! on the back of my car and slammed on the brakes. "Oh my god!" I panicked as I turned off the engine and ran out of my car.

The old lady that gave me the weird look at the Laundromat was lying on the ground. "Oh my god!" I said again. I bent down to check if she was alive. "Oh my god. Please be alive. Please be okay." I reached out to touch her, when to my immediate surprise - and joy - she sat up. Just like that. As if she got hit by cars every day.

My surprise caused me to jolt back. This woman had to have been at least 60 years old and she looked fine after just getting hit by a car. Is that even normal? I stared at her with wide eyes. "Oh my god, I am so sorry. I can't - I'm so sorry. Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

I got up and held out my hand for her to take. She shooed it off and got up on her own. She picked up her walking cane and looked at me angrily. Why the hell does she even need a walking cane?

"You damn kids and your damn driving skills. Do you not look where you're going?" Her voice was old and scratchy - very old-lady like.

My mouth was gaping open but I was still horrified with myself. "I - I can't express how sorry I am. I don't know what to say. Please forgive me, I - I wasn't paying attention, I wasn't looking, I could have killed you..." I could feel my hands shaking.

The old lady's hard stare softened a bit but her expression still remained the same. She waved her hand and simply said, "Just watch what you're doing next time. Sheesh, you only nudged me. People these days..." And with that she turned around and started walking away, muttering to herself.

I stood there gaping at her as she walked away. Even when she turned the corner and she was out of sight I remained planted in the same place. After some thought I came to the conclusion that was one of the most badass things I've ever seen.

Shaken, I shook my head and got back into my car.