Just Friends

Chapter 41

f o u r t y o n e

► "I don't want things to change, because right now - I've never been happier."

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I noticed that Justin had picked the photo up from the floor, his eyes quickly looking around before he returned to his locker and I sighed, taking a deep breath. Justin had taken the photo from my room and I wondered why - he had wrote it and he knew that I had read it but apart of me wanted to talk to him about it before, we left for college.

I focused back on Cole, who was nervously rubbing his neck and I chewed down on my lip. He wanted to tell me something, and this was never good. He would always tell me something that would end up effect something or someone.

Never the less, I prepared myself for what was coming next.

"Before you go to college, I want you to know that I'm still - uh, I'm still in love with you. I never stopped." He spoke, making my eyes widen and my breath hitch.

I was shocked to even say the least. This wasn't meant to happen - he was meant to like Liz and they were meant to be together. I couldn't even speak as my eyes quickly darted over to Liz, and she was talking to some guy. I felt my heart break for her and I had no idea what to say too Cole. I had no idea that he still felt the way about me.

"Wha- What?" I stuttered, as he sighed and looked around nervously. I couldn't believe that he had just said that. I'd heard it before but this time it was surreal.

"I love you. And I know I shouldn't but I-"

He was cut off by Liz grabbing my arm, she gave me a warning look and Cole went pale, same with me. "I have to go, Cole." I told him as Liz gave him a small smile - my heart literally falling.

"Yeah, okay. I'll talk to you later." He spoke and apart of me felt bad - Cole couldn't help the way he felt, even if I didn't like what that way was.
I thanked Liz, mentally though. She saved me from talking to Cole which I had no idea what to say or do.

"I know you and Justin called it off and you've gone back to your old relationship. Which probably isn't going to work, Ariana. You both love each other and this isn't going to change a thing - but I thought I should show you this." She spoke quickly, pulling me along to a quieter hall which only had a few people walking around.

"Liz, what are you talking about?" I replied, but she stopped me and what I saw was the past repeating itself over again.

My heart dropped as I bit down on my lip - Justin leaned against the wall while some girl who was new to the school ran her fingers along his chest.
It was a familiar shit feeling, and it hurt, badly.

I guess I couldn't be angry. I was the one who called for this move. We were back to friends with benefits, on my call, and Justin was probably helping the situation a lot more than I was but I didn't actually think he would already be open to flirting with other girls.

But this just reminded me of all the reasons I had hated it.

"Let's just, um, let's go." I spoke softly. This day was getting worse by the second and all I could think about was getting home.

But before I turned, the girl leaned closer to Justin, wrapping her arms around his neck, making another move. I didn't even know how I would react when the next planned move was going to happen, and every part of me wanted to look but I couldn't.

But to my surprise - Justin frowned and pulled himself out of the girl's embrace. He ran his hand through his hair before walking away from her, his furrowed his eyebrows as he rolled his eyes.