Wanted (A Restless Road Fanfiction)

Just Friends

CHAPTER 12

Just Friends

"Liking someone doesn't mean you have to be lovers, sometimes you have to be just friends."

I woke up the next morning feeling ready to go. I ate breakfast and got ready for the day, and went outside to meet John.

I started choreography with Lindsey. Today we were dancing to "Not Your Juliet". The morning went great, and soon, it was time for lunch.

"I wish I could eat lunch with you again, but it seems like you've got a lunch date," Lindsey said.

"Really? With who?" I asked.

"Restless Road. Who else? Anyway, meet them at the front door. They'll drive you."

"Okay," I said, and walked toward the front of the building. I found Colton waiting for me.

"Zach and Andrew already left. I was waiting for you," he said.

"So, where are we going?" I asked as we walked out to the car.

"Some little café near here," he said. "Zach suggested it."

"Oh," I said. For the rest of the ride, we just talked about our lives and whatever else was on our minds at the moment. I was silent for a while. What if Zach asked me about... what happened?

"Hey, Colton? Are you good with advice?"

"Depends on the subject, but I can try."

"I just... I guess I can't really let go of my past and it's kind of affecting my current relationships," I said.

"Well, if I were you, I'd try talking to the person that it's affecting. Maybe they can help you get through it. And maybe you just need to accept that the past is the past. But that's up to you."

"Thanks, Colton," I said.

"Anytime," he said as we pulled into the parking lot of the café. I got out and followed Colton in. He sat next to Andrew, of course, so I had to sit next to Zach.

It was kind of awkward, seeing as what happened between me and Zach earlier, but Andrew and Colton mostly held the conversation, so it worked.

Soon, it was time to leave, so I got up to follow Colton.

"I'll take Katie back," Zach said. "We kind of need to talk." So, instead of following Colton, I followed Zach out to his car. As soon as he got on the road, he turned to me. "Look, I'm sorry for what happened Saturday. I guess I kind of thought we were something more than friends." He looked hurt, and I thought about what Colton said. Maybe I did need to leave the past in the past. How did I know that Zach would be the same way? I don't.

"It's not that I don't want to. I just... don't want to get hurt again. And I don't know how to stop that part of me. So, I guess for now, let's just be friends, and then we can see where this goes. I think I need some time to think everything over before we try anything. And I don't want to rush anything."

"I understand," he said. "I'd probably feel the same way."

"Okay, good," I said, relieved. "I've been worrying about this since Saturday."

"Really?" he laughed, and I instantly felt better.