Close as Strangers

Chapter 14

I'm so sorry this chapter sucks, I know it's short and I know it's uneventful and kind of just horrid but I intend on making a better one with more napping in it next one. So sorry guys, I let you all down this chapter and I don't want it to happen again. Pease forgive me and enjoy this chapter. By the way, thank you all for the reads and votes, it truly means so much to me, it was a great surprise today!

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When I woke up in the morning, I looked down at my hand, pulling the ring off to expose a pink line where the ring was. I turned to the ring in my other hand, diamond shimmering in the light from the window. I stood up going to get a shower. I put the ring in the pocket of my jeans and walked down to get a shower. I let the hot water warm me up, keeping me from staying numb. I stood in the shower for I don't know how long when someone else came in and started a shower, I jumped and started to wash my hair, woken up out of my trance.

On my way to class, there was a slight chill in the air and I pulled my scarf tight around my neck. I made my way into the building for class, sliding into a my seat once I entered the classroom.

~

A ring. I felt my legs go weak and I grabbed hold onto the couch and I slid down into it.

"Luke?" Michael looked at me, concern on his face. I just sat there, putting my head down.

"Luke." I felt ashton's hand on my back and I shook him off. I pulled myself up and grabbed my rucksack. The bus had stopped at the hotel for our Philly show and I looked out the window, seeing fans lining the entrance. Taking a deep breath I walked off the bus, and took a few pictures and signed some autographs then headed straight inside. I walked up to the front desk and checked in then went to my room. I closed the door and laid on the bed, arms spread out, just reaching the end of the bed.

Waking with a start, I looked around, slightly disoriented wondering where I was. It all came and hit me like a wave, Izzy's boyfriend, and the promise ring. I rolled back over to face my pillow, after I checked my phone to see the time.

~

I walked around the perimeter of my campus, hot chocolate in my hand, knit hat over my head and Ravenclaw scarf wrapped around my neck. The ring on my finger, somewhat suffocating, cutting off all the thoughts in my head. I miss Luke, but I know I can't go back. I heard my phone start to ring from my coat pocket and when I pulled it out, who's number shows up on my screen, but Will's.

"Hello?"

"Hi Izzy!"

"What's up?"

"I just wanted to meet up with you tonight, I have some news for you."

"Okay, where should we go?"

"Nando's at 7:00, I'll pick you up."

"Alright, I'll see you then."

"Okay, bye." Will hung up and I finished my final lap, heading back to my dorm to get showered.

Hours passed as I slowly got ready and when I was finished, I heard a knock on my door. I made my way to it, slipping on my black boots.

"Hi." I greeted Will with a kiss on the cheek and he hugged me after I pulled my boot up.

"Hello love." We walked down the street to his car and I went to the passenger side, putting my seatbelt on after I slid in the car. Once we arrived, Will told the hostess that we wanted a table for two, and she led us over to our seats for the evening. I ordered a water and he a soda, we weren't big on drinking, I found it to be that most drinks taste gross.

"So, what was your news?"

"You know how I landed this huge job?"

"Yes."

"Well, they want me to go on a business trip to start a new branch of the company." He took a sip of his soda, a smile on his lips he clearly could not suppress.

"Where?"

"To the U.S." I nodded slowly, trying to comprehend.

"How long?"

"That's the thing, it should be a month but if I do well they'll keep me there and make me Manager of the branch." I couldn't help but stare at him, it was all I could do.

"Oh."

"You don't look excited?"

"I, I am, it's just that, how are we to live in two different countries if you get this job?"

"Izzy, I thought you'd've figured it out. You would come live in the U.S. with me."

"But Will, I can't just drop what I'm doing here. I'm trying to make a career, I want to make a living."

"You can, you can do all of this, just do it with me."

"Will, I need to do things for myself, I've only ever followed the ones I love, and I want to do things for myself for once."

"But Izzy-"

"I'm sorry Will." I stood up, grabbing my bag, pulling that shining ring off of my finger and placing it on the table.