the plain and the simple | theburntchip

chapter thirteen

"Bye! I love you!" I shouted out to the guys as I walked out the door. I was going out quickly to grab Starbucks for all the boys.

"We love you too." I heard a few of their voices after me but there were too many of them for me to give goodbyes individually. I closed the door behind myself and twiddled my keys on my finger as I headed to the car.

The drive alone was nice. I hadn't gotten a drive alone for a while and all I wanted was to be able to relax. I turned on some quiet music and allowed it to fill me. When I pulled onto the side of the road I noticed the coffee shop wasn't that crowded. I walked in and gawked at the menu for a while before deciding on what to get the guys.

"Are you going to need help carrying that to your car?" I turned to see who was speaking behind me.

"Aaron." I muttered. I didn't want to speak with him and I had somewhere to be.

"Look, Chloe I know that things weren't exactly working out between us but when I saw you the other day I couldn't help but feel what I was missing." For a moment I let myself believe he was sincere and the moment was all it took. "Chloe all I want is another chance. I know it's asking a lot, especially because of the way I treated you. I honestly don't know what else to say because words cannot put together how sorry I am."

"You can help me carry these to my car but that's it." I couldn't just leave him, and that's what I hate. I forgive people way too easily and it's a terrible habit.

"Thank you." He spoke as he grabbed the tray that the woman handed it to us.

"Aww. I wish my boyfriend was that submissive in an argument." She admitted.

"Oh we're not-" I started to speak but was cut off by Aaron.

"Just let her believe." He hooked his arm with mine but I yanked away.

"I can carry these on my own." I grabbed the tray from him and headed out of the shop. He followed closely behind and I tried my best to ignore him. "Look, I was giving you a chance to earn my forgiveness. That does not give you the right to pretend we're a thing when we're far from it." I opened my car door and set the coffees in the passenger seat. "Goodbye." I said as I got into the drivers seat. I closed the door and drove off leaving Aaron behind me.

I don't know why I even let him speak to me again. I should have just left when I had the chance. I struggled to get my keys into the door when I arrived at Cal's flat so I just knocked on it with my foot.

"Hello, love." Callum answered grabbing the trays from my hand.

"Thanks." I muttered throwing my keys and purse on the table. It was apparently evident that I was upset with something because Callum joined me in the kitchen while everyone else stayed in the lounge.

"What's wrong?" He asked as I leaned against the counter. I shook my head not really wanting to talk about it but I decided I'd have to get it off my chest at some point.

"Aaron was at the coffee shop. That's all nothing big." I didn't want to explain everything because I felt that it wasn't important. It really wasn't a big deal I just always take things too emotionally.

"You sure? We can talk about it if you want." I knew Callum was just being nice but I really didn't want to talk about it. I honestly feel like the emotions aren't just coming from the incident at the coffee shop. I was still going to New York for a while and I hadn't told any of the guys.

"It's fine let's just go with the rest of the guys." They were all on their phones when we entered the lounge which was not at all unusual. "Hey guys." I greeted as we entered.

"Hey." Chip said first and the rest greeted me afterward. I took a seat next to Chip and we had a casual conversation. "We're heading to the pitch later today. Would you like to come?" Chip offered.

"No, I actually think i'll just go home." I admitted.

"Oh really?" He pulled a fake sad face and I gave him a hug.

"Yeah." I stood up and fixed my shirt before going to hug all the rest of the guys.

"We'll miss you." Cal said standing up with Harry and Callum. They all hugged me together. It was nice until they wouldn't let go. I had to shimmy my way out of their grips. I hugged Chip again after the rest of them.

"I'll walk you home." He offered.

"Nah it's fine. I'll visit again sometime I promise." I grabbed my things and they all waved as I left. When I closed the door behind me I felt a ping of emptiness even though I live just down the street from them. Maybe I was too codependent on people. That's something that this New York trip would be good for.