The New Separation (Book 2)

Chapter 25

Colton

So far, I've been really good. I've put all of my effort into my schoolwork, and I have to say, my classes actually became interesting. It was the first time that's ever happened for me. I actually liked school for once.

I've also been talking to Elliot every single day, even if it was just a few texts. It was going good. Really good. Except for the fact that I missed him like crazy.

Honestly, I think I missed him more now than I did back in September. It's almost like now that I know the pain of losing him once, I never wanted to lose him again. Obviously that's true, but I think it's why I can't get my mind off him. If I wasn't focused on schoolwork, all I would think about is him.

I know for a fact that it's been bugging my friends. Danny hates when people talk about their relationships. I knew that now, but finding it out wasn't easy, since that meant I needed to stop talking to him about Elliot, which was really difficult, as it turns out. But we did find a bunch of other things to talk about with each other, which was good. 

Aleena, on the other hand, actually let me talk to her about him. It was the weirdest thing. I mean, she was the one I slept with all those months ago. She was the person that got in the middle of my relationship the first time. But she was also the person that made me text Elliot again; who helped me get him back. She knew the truth now, and she feels just as guilty about what we did as I do. Okay, maybe not as much as me, but still guilty.

Even Alec was back to being one of my close friends. I sort of dropped him after my break up, like I dropped everyone else. We actually had a class together this semester, which was so exciting. Since soccer ended, I wouldn't have seen him around otherwise. Now we make sure to go to the gym together at least twice a week to keep in shape for next season.

Only one more month left in the semester. It was almost summer break, which meant going back home, going to Elliot's prom, watching him graduate, and then spending the whole summer together.

"Dude," Alec said, nudging my arm. "Focus, will you?"

I scoffed, flipping open my textbook. "I'm focused."

"Sure you are."

We were currently studying - or at least, he was - for our final that's in two weeks. I didn't exactly know why we'd be studying now for it, but Alec insisted.

"Thinking about Elliot again?"

I couldn't help but smile. "No?"

Alec raised an eyebrow at me. "Has anyone ever told you that you suck at lying?"

"Oh shut up." I shook my head. "What are we even doing with this?" As much as I've enjoyed my classes this semester, I still hated studying. It never got any easier, even with liking the material.

"He figure out where he's going next year yet?" Alec asked, obviously not as into studying as he wanted to seem.

"Probably. He's keeping it a secret from me, though."

"Weird."

That comment got me thinking. Why would he not tell me? I'm pretty sure the deadline to choose passed already, so he must know. What if it was on the other side of the country? We'd be a plane ride away from each other instead of just a couple hours drive. Was that why he wasn't telling me yet? He didn't want me to stress about the distance right now? Was that it?

"Colton."

But if he would just tell me, we could work it out now, rather than spending our summer freaking out about it. I'd much rather spend the summer having fun with the boyfriend I loved, not worrying about how little I'd see him.

"Colton!"

My eyes snapped to Alec's. "What?"

"Stop worrying about it, dude. It's freaking me out."

"Sorry," I muttered, looking back down at the book. "Where were we?"

"Chapter one."

I groaned. "This is going to take forever."

"Which is why I suggested studying now," he said, rolling his eyes. "Sometimes I'm smart."

I let out another groan. "Whatever."

We eventually got through most of what we needed to by the time the dining hall opened for dinner. That's when we both decided we were hungry and done with trying to concentrate on our Intro to Business notes.

Funnily enough, we ran into Danny and Aleena, so we sat with them while we ate. It was great sitting with them all, but I still couldn't get the thought that Elliot was hiding something from me out of my head.

I understand that it's not nearly as big of a deal as I was making it out to be. I knew it wasn't anywhere near what I hid from him last semester. He'd never cheat. And this was college we were talking about.

"What's up with Colton?" I heard Aleena ask.

"I'm fine," I answered before Alec could. I'm sure she could tell I wasn't telling the truth though.

She crossed her arms. "Oh really? Then why haven't you touched your food yet? You're usually the first one done."

I shrugged, giving in. "Elliot won't tell me where he's going to college in the fall and it's making me nervous."

To my surprise, Danny spoke up. "I thought it was obvious. Isn't he coming here?"

My mouth dropped open. "Why would you say that?"

"He came for, like, two different tours, didn't he?"

The two best days of the entire semester. Okay, yes, I did know that he applied here, but he never told me if he got in or not. And actually coming here? There were so many other schools out there, ones that he applied to, too. Why would he come here? I doubted his moms would even let him come here if the only reason was because of me. They may like me (maybe), but that didn't mean they didn't have high standards for Elliot's education. If he had a choice, they'd definitely want him to go to an Ivy level school rather than this one.

Not that I was against him coming here, I just felt it was so unlikely that it couldn't happen. I'd totally love having him here. At least then I'd see him all the time.

Maybe I'll ask him tonight when I call him. I'll bug him about it until he finally tells me. That way I won't worry about it anymore. Yeah, that could work.