The History of Us

The Ross and Rachel Factor

The Ross and Rachel Factor

I spent the rest of the day in my room, pacing around wondering about Nathan, Jake, the salon, my exams, and a million other things.

My mind keeps coming back to what both Mum and Nathan said about Jake. Is it possible that we really aren't long term? Could I be over someone and not even know it?

My assumption always was that Jake and I would finish school, he'd go away to University and in that time, we'd get engaged. Then he'd move back to Brightmore, take over his Mother's empire, and we'd get married, start a family by the sea.

It never even crossed my mind that anything different would happen.

This is precisely what I explain to Paige over the phone when I ring her up because I feel like I'm having a meltdown. She barely has time to say hello before I've launched into a full recital of my anguish.

"Well... That was a lot to take in" Paige informs me when I've finally finished speaking "Where has all this come from? I thought you and Jake were fine now?"

"What if that's precisely it though? What if we are just 'fine', and nothing more than that? Do you think I'm over him? How am I supposed to marry someone that I'm over?" I ramble to Paige, who shushes me.

"Okay, okay, just take a moment to think about what you're saying, especially this grand plan of yours. I don't think you've even thought this through properly" Paige rationalises.

"What do you mean? That's always been the plan, ever since I met Jake" I inform her, and Paige sighs.

"Mads, you've planned out every little detail of your future with Jake except for one thing- your own life. What are you supposed to do while Jake is at University?" Paige asks me, and I expect to reply instantly, but I can't.

She makes a good point. I never thought about what I'd be doing.

"No!" I interject, thinking on my feet "I'll, uh, work at the Salon, or get a different job in Brightmore"

"And that'll be enough for you, will it? A dead-end job in a dead-end town?" Paige asks me, and I groan "Even I've applied to some Universities as a backup in case I change my mind"

"You sound exactly like Nathan!" I complain "What is so wrong with wanting to stay in Brightmore?"

"Absolutely nothing, as long as you're doing something worth your time while you're here, rather than just waiting around for Jake" Paige points out, before adding "And there's another factor you didn't consider in your grand plan"

"What's that?" I ask, and Paige chuckles darkly

"Nathan Dean" She responds, and my heart sinks "You didn't add him into your grand plan"

"Honestly I didn't expect him to ever come back..." I admit, trailing off. Paige is silent on the other end of the line. I swallow. "But he doesn't even have anything to do with Jake and I"

There's a loud snort of laughter. "Like hell he doesn't!" Paige challenges "You've been obsessed with him from the moment he got back into town! And he's exactly the same with you!"

"He is?" I question, and I can almost here Paige rolling her eyes.

"Yes. You two are like magnets, you can't keep away from each other. I mean, you didn't spend all of last night with Jake, did you? Jake isn't the one you called when you were drunk. Jake isn't the one you complain about every day" Paige reminds me.

"Oh God I feel like a horrible person" I groan, crawling back under the duvet "Jake doesn't deserve any of this"

"Mads, everyone can't be a saint all the time. But I do think you need to speak to Jake, and work out if your relationship is worth pursuing" Paige rationalises, and I nod, poking my head out of the duvet.