Wake Up, Reality's Calling

Chapter 9: He's back...

I'm so confused. What the hell is happening? It's so frustrating, not knowing what the hell is going on, especially when you have to deal with this smug ass guy who knows all the answers but refuses to say anything.

Was I still annoyed over the fact that he just left me here after calling me over? No... okay, fine, yes. But who does that? We talked for like what? Ten minutes?

I went to order a coffee and a sandwich to calm myself down with. I put down my money on the counter and turned around to go back to my table as I waited for my order. Ouch, I thought. I had accidentally knocked the person behind me over.

"I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" I asked, feeling terribly guilty and embarrassed.

"It's ok, I'm fine. It's nice to know you're still the same, Vic," A familiar voice responded. Oh no. I'm not ready for more of this bullshit.

"Nick?!" I blurted out a bit too loudly and stumbled back in surprise. Nick is this stereotypical looking office guy who goes to the gym, with just a t-shirt and some jeans - very bland. He also happens to be my ex.

"Yeah, it's... been a while," He took my hand and got up. "How have you been?"

How I've been?! Really? After everything that happened? I've been fan-freaking-tastic, I thought sarcastically.

"I've been fine," I answered coldly. "And you?"

"To be honest? It's been a rollercoaster," He said. God, why can't you just say fine and move on with it? Uurgh now I have to converse with you.

"Oh... that's too bad," I responded uncomfortably and got on my way to get my order so I could go back to my table.

"Wait!" He exclaimed and grabbed my arm instinctively. When he noticed it himself, he let go. "I mean... we should catch up sometime soon unless you have time now..."

"I... Sure, sometime." I thought about saying no, but I knew he wouldn't give up.

"Great," He said, and let out a breath he held in while waiting for my response. He seemed relieved somehow. "Do you still have the same number?"

"Same number, same apartment," I told him.

I took my order and was relieved that I ordered it in a to-go cup. I went to my table, picked up my bag, which I apparently didn't seem to have needed, and walked out.

I felt like calling up someone, and tell them about all my problems. Without me realizing, I had dialed Torie's - my best friend's - number and hit call.

"Hey, what's up?" She asked after immediately answering my call.

"I'm not sure, but I literally just bumped into my ex," I said.

"Nick?!" She responded. "He's back?"

"Looks like it," I said. "Seems like Liz is back too."

"Like Liz-the-bitch Liz, or Liz-the-snitch Liz?" She asked.

"Like Liz-the-bitch Liz," I said. "I haven't seen Liz P. since High School."

"Oh okay. Wait sorry, you met Nick?!" She nearly screamed into the phone. "What happened?"

"Well I kinda knocked him over-" I started.

"Serves him right!" She cut me off with.

"And he asked me how I've been," I continued.

"And you said...?"

"The only response that would get me out of the conversation as fast as possible, 'fine' " I told her.

"And he said...?" She pestered.

"That it's been a 'rollercoaster', like why the hell did he have to say that? Can't he just read the mood and answer it normally?" I started to rant.

"You know he never really got the memo," She said.

"Yeah, I know..." I answered, sighing. "Anyway, he said he wanted to 'catch up' sometime."

"Oh god, can't he take a hint? Especially since your breakup was so..." She stopped herself, knowing that I had just recently gotten over it. "So what did you do?" She said after a short break.

"What could I do? I just desperately tried to end it and leave as fast as I could," I answered.

"Oh Vic, I'm going to have to call you back! My lunch break is nearly over, and you know how my boss is," She said.

"Yeah, it's fine, go get 'em, girl!" I said and hung up after she said her dramatic farewell.

When I had hung up, I looked at my screen and found that I had a missed call. What now?