11 Things I Hate About You

Chapter 3

The next morning, as I enter the building full of asshats, I bump into the ever popular Tyler.

Way to start the day, huh?

"Hi," he says softly.

"Hey."

"Listen, about what I did. I just really wanna--"

"Forget it."

"What?"

"I said forget it. It was just a dumb summer fling."

"No, it's not. It's not just a dumb summer fling."

"Well, you sure made it seem like one."

He shakes his head.

"I just--I want to apologize for what I did to you. It was really stupid of me to just ... waste what we had. I'm sorry," he replies.

He doesn't seem like the Tyler I knew. The one who used to tell me those lame jokes in that diner. He just looks so weary now.

"Look, Tyler, I forgive you," I reply softly, not sure of what I was even saying.

"You do? That's great! Um, I mean ... thanks Dakota. I really missed you," he says as he lifts my chin to kiss me.

"I said I forgave you. I don't remember saying anything about second chances."

He looks to the ground, unsure of what to say.

"I apologize, again. I'm just--I'm dying to talk to you. I missed you so much."

I nod my head. What else can I say?

"Can we talk?" He asks shyly.

"We're talking now."

"No, I mean a real talk. Like the ones we had at the diner. Remember--"

"What's your angle?"

"What do you mean?" He asks with a confused look on his face.

"You left me. Now you want to talk about our summer fling. I don't get it, Ty."

"It's not a summer fling!"

"It wasn't supposed to be one."

"Look, I get it. You're still mad at me. And I'm really sorry. I'm not just saying this for the sake of getting it out of my system ... I really mean it. I want everything back. I want us back. I'm really really really sorry."

I nod my head, now unsure of what to say.

"So, how about later, after school? At that park we used to go to ... meet you at the swings?" He asks with a tiny, but hopeful smile.

"Sure and bring your camera crew with you," I reply.

"Huh?"

"Nothing. I'm sorry ... and yeah I'll be there."

"Alright, see you."