She's still standing.

Face to Face

Chapter 45

I left right after school, I headed straight out the door and down the sidewalk. I didn't wait for Noah, but I knew he'd call because he was worried; I was right.

"Shay?" His voice sounded worried over the phone.
"Yep?" I replied.
"Where are you, Baby?" He asked firmly but with care.
"Walking." I said nonchalantly.
"Walking where?"
"Home."
"Why didn't you say anything?" He seemed kind of hurt I didn't tell him.
I shrugged. "I dunno." I said. "Meet me at my house."
"K. I love you Shailey Elizabeth." He said.
"I love you too, Noah." I don't know why he likes to say my middle name over the phone but it's kind of sexy, in a way.

I got home. And no one was there again. Summer was still in the hospital and Mom must've been there too, I guess.
Noah showed up about five minutes later. He walked in and I hugged him tight.

"I love you. You know that, right?" I said to him reassuringly.

"What happened?" He looked at me curious.

"Nothing I just-" i spaced. I spaced out. I was so focused on coming home that I forgot I was supposed to meet Celia...AGAIN! "SHIT!"

"What happened, shay?!?" Noah was really worried now.

"Please baby, please drive me to Alejandro's. I'm supposed to meet Celia and I forgot. This is important." I said desperately.

"Fine. But promise to explain to me later."

" okay okay, I promise. Now let's go!"
We ran out to the car. He sped down the streets.
I texted Celia from the car: sorry I totally forgot about meeting. again... i'll be there in a few.
she answered fairly quickly: that's okay. i got us a table already, i'll be waiting.
then she sent another saying: sorry didn't mean for that to sound sexual... with an embarrassed face emoji. i had a feeling that wouldn't be the first time tonight i heard the word 'sorry'.

Noah pulled into the parking lot of Alejandro's and told me to be calm. He looked into my eyes and i swear my stomach was in a literal knot and my insides melted.

"I love you Shailey." he calls out to me as i pull open the door.

"I love you too." i call to him before fully exiting the car. i walk to the door nervous as ever. my hands are shaking. i put my hand on the door, but felt like i lost the strength to pull it open. i looked back at noah who waited in the car for my nod before he could leave.
i stared at the door, then back a Noah. i pulled the door open and headed in, only looking at the ground.

"Good afternoon!" i heard then looked up.

"umm reservation for Celia-" i started then she interrupted me.

"she's over there." the lady pointed to a table at the far end of the restaurant.

"okay thanks." i slowly walked over to her. "um hi." i said awkwardly.

"Shailey, I...umm hey" said Celia more awkwardly than i did. i sat down at the table still not making eye contact with her.

"Shailey, I'm sorry, very sorry. I have no explanation or reason for what I did. And..and..i know you probably won't forgive me but i just wanted you to know how sorry i am." she started to cry a bit. "Shailey I miss you."

i didn't know what to say. my eyes probably looked bloodshot. "You and Brian. How's it going?" i asked even though i knew they were broken up.

"We broke up. he broke up with me. he got what he wanted then dumped me. he found out i knew he was fucking three other girls behind my back, then dumped me. then i forgave him, then he did some dumb shit again, then he broke up with me again.  i knew it was gonna happen, but i was hoping it wouldn't. i was too scared to break up with him because he hurt me. emotionally and physically. he hit me and called me names. he..he made me do stuff to him and for him. but i didn't want to. i could've died from some of the stuff he made me do, then i thought of you and that video you posted and i felt so so bad. and i'm so sorry." she said with streaks of tears running down her cheeks.

i finally looked at her. and into her eyes. i wanted the truth and i don't know if i got it, but she was putting on a hell of a performance. "i almost died because of you." i looked dead into her eyes. she gave me a wide eyed look. i could tell something was going through her mind. she stayed quiet, though. "i want the truth. so tell it to me. did he make you bully me?" i asked sternly but quietly. she looked down again, then up. she shook her head.

xxxxx
good or nah? next chapter will be intense i'm thinking..

should shailey and celia become friends again???

well thanks for reading.

not gonna bore you with my personal life so peace out.

and i love you.

stay alive.