Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

Chapter Thirty Three

Andrew's POV

Andrew sat at his desk, swiveling his chair back and forth. He was clicking his pen, finding it extremely hard to concentrate today. He kept glancing at his phone, debating on whether to pick it up or not. He threw down his pen in frustration and stood up from his chair. He grabbed his keys and wallet before heading out of the apartment, his phone left on the table.

Andrew dug his hands deep into his pockets. It was March and the air was beginning to feel warmer. The sun was shining brought and the smell of spring invaded his nose. As he walked to the local diner, he took in the beautiful scene before him. The city was alive and bustling on this warm afternoon. Everyone seemed to be happy, smiles plastered on their faces.

There were people selling merchandise and people singing on the streets. New York was becoming more lively as the winter months were leaving. Andrew couldn't help but smile at the city. He definitely enjoyed it here. It wasn't Washington, that was for sure, but it was still good.

Andrew took his normal place in the back corner when he entered Tom's Diner. The usual waitress, a young girl names Penny, walked over to him. "The usual for you Drew?" she questioned.

Andrew looked up at her and smiled. "Yes please, Penny."

She wrote down the order and went to get it started. She returned a minute later with an iced water in her hand. "Rough day?" she asked.

"Yeah," Andrew nodded.

"Why don't you just call her?" Penny questioned. She took a seat across from him when she saw no one else was in the diner. 

Penny and Andrew had met in math class the first week and became great friends. Penny told him about her lost lover and Andrew told her about Rose. Penny kept encouraging him to call Rose and he kept refusing. Penny was a good friend though. She listened to Andrew and his problems and offered her best advice.

Andrew exhaled as he looked up into her dark brown eyes. "I don't know."

"What's holding you back?"

"That's the problem, I'm not entirely sure. Maybe it's the fact that I can't help but think she's gotten over me. Maybe she won't answer or doesn't even care? I guess I'm just afraid to find out that she doesn't want me anymore," Andrew admitted.

Penny put a hand on Andrew's and offered him a gentle smile. "Drew, by what you have told me, she obviously isn't over you. And from the sound of how close you two were, she probably won't ever get over you."

"How can you be sure?"

"You love her and that's no surprise there. And from what you've told me about how thoughtful she was and how gentle she was, I can almost bet she loves you, too. And when you love someone that much, it's hard to get over them. You don't ever really get over them, either. When it's love that strong, how could you say no to it?" Penny told him softly.

He could see the seriousness in her eyes. He knew deep down inside that she was right. But he was still too scared to call her. What if she didn't want him anymore? Or what if she was with someone else? Andrew felt his heart sink deeper as he focused his gaze on the glass in front of him.

Penny took her hand off of Andrew's and stood up. "You are quite possibly the most difficult man I've ever met," she said.

"How so?" Andrew mumbled.

"Because you are moody and stubborn. Clearly you love her and clearly you aren't over her, but yet you are too chicken to call her," Penny said with an exasperated sigh. "I tried to help you but that's as much as I can get involved. I sadly can't force you to do anything." With that she walked off towards the kitchen. She placed Andrew's bacon burger in front of him without a word. She left silently, leaving Andrew sitting there in a pool of guilt.

He looked at his burger and suddenly wasn't hungry anymore. He pushed the plate away from him and began playing with his fingers. It wasn't time yet. He needed more time to prepare and to figure out what he was going to say to her.

He did leave her, after all.

Another month had gone and came and Andrew was starting to become happier. He went on a date with Penny's friend Olive, Penny and her boyfriend. It was fun and he thought Olive was a cute girl. She had black hair, green eyes and pale skin. She was almost as tall as him and wanted to be an actress. She had a nice personality and was a good person, but Andrew wasn't interested in dating her steadily. They went out a few times but eventually it died when she left for California.

Most days Andrew spent studying or hanging out with Penny. He never went to clubs or parties because he didn't want to regret anything. He started thinking less and less of Rose, but occasionally he would see something that triggered his memories with her.

Some days were hard for him and others were more enjoyable. He still had the pictures of Rose on his phone and the messages they had. He would try and stock her on Facebook and Instagram but she never posted anything. He literally had no idea what she was doing. Sometimes he worried about her and debated calling her, but was never man enough to do so.

Today was one of the harder days. He just finished his engineering exam and was extremely exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to call Rose and tell her about his awful day. He almost did, but thought against it. He was sure she had moved on by now. Why wouldn't she? Andrew broke her heart. He broke his promise to her. Andrew hurt Rose far worse than Rose hurt him. And that's what made Andrew so hesitant to call her. She probably hated him and would never talk to him.

The doubts filled his mind and his heart became heavier and his headache stronger. He rubbed his temples while collapsing on his bed. He sighed loudly and turned off the light. Another day had come and gone. 

Another day he could have spent with the love of his life.

Andrew was really beginning to regret his decision now.