Beautifully Painful

Part 5: Just You

The next couple of days consisted of you ignoring Jae's texts. Most of them were along the lines of "Are you okay?" Or "How are you doing?". You were being petty, and you knew it. At the back of your mind, you knew you had nothing to be upset over. Jae wasn't yours. You don't own her. So why are you so salty? Besides, she always loves attention from girls.

You leave your dorm room to get a coffee.

You decide you need a distraction, and to make a response to Jae's texts while you walk-and soon. You keep thinking about a proper way to phrase "I want to be petty because I want you all to myself," That wouldn't sound professional. Then again, you knew you could tell Jae anything. You wondered what her response would be if you told her how you felt at the party.

"Hey," You hesitate for a while before you hit 'send'.

While you wait for Jae's response you get in the short line to order a bagel and coffee.

"Welcome to Uni-Cafe, what would you like today?" The barista asks. He's pretty cute, with nice hair and dimples.

"Hi, can I please have a cinnamon raisin bagel with a chai tea latte?" You change your mind from coffee to tea.

"You want cream cheese with that?"

"Yeah," You say.

"Okay, can I have your name, please?" He takes out a sharpie to write your name on the cup.

"[Y/N]." You say it slowly so he gets all of the letters correctly. He even asks you to spell it. And you do.

"Okay, now can I have your number?"

You are a little shaken up at this question.

"Why?" You ask, somewhat amused at how nervous he, Trevor, looks. You know his name because of his name tag.

"Um, uh..." He starts stuttering. You can't stand to see him look so uncomfortable that you give in and write it down.

"You can text me later on tonight, after my classes." You chuckle once you see him smile again.

By now, your bagel and your coffee are ready. You pick both up and leave.

*

You just finished your 6:00pm class when you see Jae. She's standing at the end of the hall, waiting for you. You consider turning around and going the other way, but she's already seen you.

You approach her. She shifts her weight to her other foot. All you do is stare at each other for a few seconds. They feel like minutes to you; hours even.

"Have I upset you?" She finally says, in a low voice.

"No," You lie.

"You sure? Last night, you tweeted..." She trails off, takes out her phone and taps on it. " 'It's amazing how much your best friends can not give a damn about your feelings. #dumbass' You only got three likes and one retweet, too." She scoffs.

"Um..." You bite your lip and direct your attention to other students entering the hall to go to their lectures.

"Y:N, seriously. Tell me." Jae demands.

"It's nothing really, just think it's funny how our friendship is starting to fall apart. In my opinion, at least." You shrug.

"What you mean?"

"I don't know! I- I think I just need some time." You raise your hand to your head and try to walk away.

"What are you talking about? 'Some time away' We aren't together like that." Jae squints her eyes.

"I know." You say firmly. "I mean, like, a break. I want to go and meet new people; make more friends. All I have is you right now. I'm getting bored of that.

"You're tired of me?" She says.

"No. I'm tired of just you." You whisper and leave the lecture hall.

~

Author's Note: What do you think of the story so far? Do you have any suggestions? Like events you want to happen? Soon, the book will get into some more insecurities and problems of black girls, so be ready for that. Does Jae act like how you think she does in real life? What about Trevor? What will happen between the main character and him... I appreciate y'all for reading!