The New Separation (Book 2)

Chapter 17

Colton

"You idiot!" she exclaimed before slapping me, making the few people around turn to glance at us.

I knew I was an idiot - no doubt about that - but I just couldn't understand why it was Lindsey who was calling me one and then slapping me. Especially in a public place. That just wasn't right.

"Ow," I said, rubbing my cheek. "What was that for?"

She rolled her eyes, sitting down across the table from me. "One: for not keeping in contact with either of your best friends all semester. Two: for not telling said best friends that you were no longer dating Elliot. Three: for whatever you did to mess up that perfect relationship."

"How do you know it was my fault?"

"Because I know you, Colton. It's always your fault."

I sighed. I knew she would have something to say about me not keeping in contact. I'll admit that that was totally my fault. I got caught up in college and then everything that happened with Aleena and Elliot, and then, before I knew it, finals were over and I was back home for winter break.

"I'm talking to him again, though," I said. That was true. My little outreach text worked. We may not talk every day, or even for that long when we do talk, but it's something, usually just the occasional meme or something amusing that happened that day. Like I said: not much, but something.

"I think you need to tell me exactly what happened between you two," she said, making me remember she didn't know any of that. "I want all the details."

I shook my head. "They aren't pretty."

"Spill, Whitaker."

I spilled. I told her everything, from not wanting to come out, to that party, to cheating, to finally telling him, to suffering these last few months, to Thanksgiving, to reaching out to him. Halfway through, Henry joined us, which meant I had to go over the beginning part of the story again, since I hadn't kept in contact with him either.

"And now I'm kinda scared to tell him I'm home. Like, I'm sure he probably knows, or at least, figures I'll be back any day now, but still. I don't know how to bring it up, especially because I'd totally like to actually see him again, you know? I just want to maybe hang out one day, but would that be weird? Do I ask? I don't know what to do, guys."

Henry shrugged, giving me a look that told me he had no idea, which was totally helpful. Lindsey sat there speechless - probably the first time I've ever seen her not have something to say. Then I noticed she wasn't exactly looking at me, but right over my shoulder.

I turned, slowly. And there, standing not four feet behind me, was Elliot.

He was staring at me, so there was no way he didn't notice me here. He probably also heard what I just said about him. And judging my Lindsey's reaction, he was totally listening.

"Hi," I said softly.

"Hey El, you find us a seat?" Emily said excitedly, bouncing up next to him. Then her eyes landed on mine. "Oh. Uh..." She looked up at Elliot, who still hadn't reacted.

"You guys should sit with us!" Lindsey called over.

I quickly turned my head to glare at her. Was she crazy? This wasn't going to end well.

"That's a great idea," Emily said, grabbing onto Elliot's hand and pulling him over.

Henry moved closer to Lindsey on their side of the booth, so Emily could have a seat, which left the only opening for Elliot right next to me. It was like Thanksgiving all over again.

But he sat. He didn't just walk out of the little cafe, like I half expected him to.

"Hey," he said to me as he sat down.

I smiled. Maybe this wouldn't be too bad after all.

Elliot

When Emily suggested going back to that cafe after school again, I was all for it. It had become our spot these last couple weeks. Whenever we both weren't working and wanted to just hang out (without Jared, since he hated this place and sometimes we needed to not be around his moodiness), this was the place we'd go to.

Never did I expect to walk in here to see Colton, especially overhearing a conversation he was having about me.

I was also seriously going to kill Emily later for agreeing to sitting with them. I didn't even think she'd be the one to agree, since she seemed so for me moving on from him. Yet, here we were, with her sliding into the booth.

It's not like I could leave now. Besides, we had actually been texting a bit for the last couple weeks. We were at a much better place with each other than we were the last time we saw each other. This was going to be fine.

"Hey," I said as I sat down next to him, because our friends were awful and left only that seat open.

He smiled at me so widely that I couldn't help but smile back. It's been too long since I've seen that smile. "Hey."

The five of us fell into an easy conversation, mostly catching up on the last few months. We had all gotten closer with each other when Colton and I were together, since we kinda dragged our own friends along to things. I wouldn't say I wasn't friends with Lindsey or Henry, but we definitely weren't at the level them and Colton are at. I don't think we'd ever get that far, especially because this kind of thing will probably never happen again.

We had probably only been sitting there for half an hour or so - my drink was only half gone - when Emily stood up, announcing she had to use the bathroom. I didn't exactly want her to leave me alone with Colton and his friends, but I couldn't complain. This was going better than expected.

But then Lindsey thought that was a good idea and went with her, leaving me alone with my ex-boyfriend and his best friend.

"So, Colton," Henry started. "How's the team? Still liking soccer?"

Colton smiled again, one of the smiles I missed seeing on his face. "Oh yeah. It's pretty amazing, playing for a college team. We're pretty good too. Won most of our games this season."

Henry nodded. "That's great, dude." Then he lifted up his phone. "I'm real sorry, but my mom's calling and I gotta take this. Be right back."

And with that, it was just the two of us.

"So," I started once Henry left the table.

"Yeah," Colton said back. This couldn't have been more awkward.

Except, of course, I had to make it more awkward. "You look good," I said, the words slipping out of my mouth. "Uh, I mean, well, you didn't look all that great at Thanksgiving, I guess is what I'm trying to say. You seem a bit healthier now. Sorry, that's weird. Ignore me."

He shook his head. "It's okay. I wasn't doing too well then, to be honest. I fucked up a lot, not just with you, which I'm still so guilty about. I fell behind in my schoolwork and even soccer wasn't all that great sometimes. I had to turn myself around by the end of the semester though or else I'd completely lose out on playing on the team again. I managed to pass all my classes. Barely, but I passed."

"Is college that much harder than high school?"

He shrugged. "When there's a lot of other options to choose instead of study or do homework, it can be tough. I honestly chose partying and drinking." He ducked his head towards the table and muttered his next words, but I could still hear them: "Mostly trying to get over you, which totally failed."

My heart fluttered in my chest. He wasn't over me either. But I didn't know if I'd be able to trust him again. He'd be going back to the same place that tempted him in such awful ways next month. I hated even thinking that he got caught up in all that. From what I've heard, it was hard to stop. Would he be able to stay away from the partying and drinking again next semester if we did get back together? Would he be able to stay faithful?