When You Least Expect It

19

So, we're in week two of the break and it's been pretty quiet so far. Taylor has spent most of his time sulking, he barely even comes out of his room. Since the diner is only open five hours a day now I have a lot of free time to myself.

I've talked to Ashley Grace a few times but she said her parents told her to stay off of her phone so that sucks. I thought about calling Corey and asking him to come hang out. I just want to feel him out a bit, see how he's feeling about Ash and what his plans are for when he graduates.

Whitney has tried to text me a couple times but since she's with her "boyfriend" I don't really care to talk to her.  I mean the dude gave her a $100 bill for Christmas and told her to go pick out "whatever she wanted". Why give her anything if you're going to put in such little effort?

Taylor finally starts to come around on Christmas Eve. Now he's done sulking, he's moved on to being angry. He's still so pissed he spent so much money on her for her to pull this. So after a couple drinks I start thinking he should make some good come from them. I'm sure there are at least a few girls that stayed behind that would love this stuff.

After a little convincing and a few more drinks he agrees. We set off on foot laughing and giving each other shit. We make our way around a few of the housing units until we're out of stuff. The girls we found were appreciative but I'm sure it seemed a little sketchy considering Taylor is pretty hammered. On the bright side we also got a couple phone numbers so there's that.

It's after midnight when someone knocks on the front door. Taylor grunts before yelling, "Who is it?"

No answer, so I make my way to the door. I pick up a big umbrella from beside the door to arm myself and turn the lock. Slowly I pull the door open just a crack. "Just let me in you weirdo."

Corey pushes the door open and I put the umbrella back. "What are you doing here? Everything ok?"

"Yes. No. I don't know. I miss my baby." He huffs and plops down on the sofa.

I shut the door and sit on the bean bag across from him. "I'm sorry man. Have you talked to her? I haven't heard from her since last Wednesday."

"No. That was the last I heard from her too. I guess her parents were freaking out on her for being on her phone or something but she always texts me to tell me goodnight at least. I'm worried about her Derek."

For a second I think he might cry but he doesn't. "I'm sure she will let us know something when she can. Isn't she supposed to come back Saturday?"

"Yeah, she was but when I talked to her last she said they weren't going to let her leave until Thursday night or Friday, that's a whole week away. I can't just not hear from her for a week. I was kind of a dick to her when she was leaving and I've been kicking myself for it ever since. It's not her fault."

"She knows you were mad for all the right reasons if that makes any sense. But you're right, she can't control her parents and their rules. She was just letting you know ahead of time. I'm sure she's fine."

He hangs his head and sighs, "Yeah, you're probably right. I just miss her. We haven't spent much time apart and not hearing from her is killing me. Christmas is tomorrow and I just wish she were here with me so I could show her how much she means to me, spend the day with her, you know?"

The more emotional he gets the more his words run together. He's been drinking, but I think he's being sincere. Then it hits me, like a ton of bricks, he's in love with her. This isn't puppy love or some lusty little college fling, he loves her. The more I soak it in as he rambles to Taylor the more I sober up. When I was thinking about inviting him over I figured it would go one of two ways; either he would say he's happy in the relationship but has doubts it will go long term because of the distance once he graduates, or he'd still be upset over this whole issue and just be ready to dump her when she got back. I never expected this. I'm betting this is going to shock Ashley too. But, she deserves to be loved, to be treated like she matters. She is so strong and independent, Corey has brought out the best in her. I can't wait for her to get back now.