Too Much Clickbait - Sequel to Clickbait

48

     Heath's P.O.V
     I woke up to several texts and missed calls from Amber. She had gotten back to California two weeks after Katie's party and was currently staying at an AirBNB. I had wanted her to stay with me, though she kept making excuse after excuse. I was becoming fed up- Tensions between us rose drastically when she realized I had not gotten rid of Katie entirely. It did not help that Vid Con was in a week, either.
     I frowned, calling her up. I heard a phone ringing in the other room, followed by my door opening and slamming shut quickly. I ended the call and turned around to see a red faced Amber. "Heath, we need to talk. Now."
     I turned around to sit at the edge of my bed. Adjusting my boxers, I grabbed my glasses an put them on quickly. "What's wrong, baby?"
     "I..." Her angry demeanor changed and I watched her break, beginning to cry into her hands covering her mouth. "I got the position at GWFJHA & Shapiro."
     "Wasn't that the firm that represented O.J Simpson?" She shook her head yes, quickly. I stood up, putting my hands on the sides of her upper arms. "Ambie, how the hell is that a bad thing?"
     "I realized something that I've been trying to avoid for a while. I don't think I can avoid it any longer though." Her bottom lip quivered as she spoke, her crying starting to slow down. "Heath, we aren't headed in the same direction."
     "Amber, stop." I stepped back, not liking where this was going. "I don't want to hear it. Whatever you're going to say, please stop."
     "Do you remember in eighth grade when Robert Clemons broke up with me?" Amber's eyes became doe-like as she reached a hand to the side of my face. I kissed her wrist and held onto it as she spoke, feeling my knees begin to shake from this oh-too-familiar feeling. "You told me he was stupid because of his reason. He-"
     "He didn't want you joining the spelling team because he didn't want to date a nerd." My voice was beginning to shake with every word.
     "You told me to never stop pursuing what I want to please anyone else. We were fourteen and you were the smartest person I had ever met." Amber's smile glowed and I swore she could hear my heart snapping piece by piece as she spoke. "Heath, I wanted this to be said tonight. I just... I didn't want to stand another minute without being honest with you. I respect you too much for that."
     "How am I holding you back? Just answer me that." I sniffled in between sentences, my chest tightening as tears began to flow freely around my face.
     "You know I never liked social media to begin with... It's just too much. Especially with going to this law firm, I can't have my name on the same video of David setting a couch on fire in your living room." She laughed slightly, her thumb stroking my cheek lightly before she began to play with my beard. "I think you're the most handsome, caring, kind-hearted man I've ever met. You're my best friend and you always have, always will be... But I think we both knew this wouldn't last."
     I walked towards my side table, opening the drawer. I took out a little red box that I had been hiding for the last six months.
     "You're sure about this, Heath?" Zane raised an eyebrow. "I mean... Doesn't she like something... Flashier?"
     "This is a five thousand dollar ring, you asshole. It's all about the three C's- Color, cut, and clarity." I rolled my eyes, driving out of the jeweler's parking lot.
     "Has someone done this before?" Zane joked, earning a filthy look. "I'm serious, Heath... You want to do this again?"
     "Depends. Did Amber sit on your face in the last year and a half?" I raised an eyebrow, to which Zane shook his head no sheepishly. "Then, yes. I'm sure about making this solid fifteen have to marry my six ass for all of eternity."
     "You think so? Because I didn't." I choked out, handing her the ring. "Take it and go. We can talk about everything later. I want to be alone right now."
     Amber began to cry as she opened the box. She handed it immediately back to me, trying to form words. Nothing came out except quiet 'I'm sorry''S as she clumsily walked out, shutting the door behind her.