two people who've been together since they were basically four. They were each other's first for everything but when sophomore year came along things weren't going as smooth. They were changing, growing apart but what happened when senior year bring...
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Love-missing someone who is sitting next to you."
I laughed along with Kylie, grateful for a light moment in the otherwise heavy day. Being back at school, especially with Dean in almost every corner, felt like standing in quicksand. Just when I thought I'd found some solid ground, the sight of him or his voice would pull me back under.
Lunch was my only break from the constant onslaught of memories, and I needed my friends to remind me of who I was without him—Taylor, not Dean's ex-girlfriend. As Kylie and I laughed and threw crumbs at each other, I started to feel a little better.
"Speaking of that new guy," Kylie leaned in, an eyebrow raised. "Jon Sparrow, was it? I saw him walk away with a pretty flustered look after talking to you."
"He's... persistent," I replied, feeling my cheeks flush.
Kylie smirked. "He's cute. And he seems interested. Might be nice to have someone new around."
I shrugged, pretending to be unaffected. "I don't know. He seems like the type who's just looking for a quick thrill."
Kylie rolled her eyes. "Well, he seemed genuinely interested. And honestly, Tay, maybe you should give someone a chance. Not everyone is like... him."
I sighed. Maybe she was right. Maybe meeting new people would help me move forward. But Dean had been the kind of love that felt irreplaceable. How could anyone compare to that?
The day stretched on, and finally, the last bell rang, releasing us. I gathered my things, heading for the door when I saw Jon Sparrow leaning against the lockers, waiting.
"Oh, so we meet again," he teased, giving me a playful grin.
"Do you always hang around people who look like they're trying to avoid you?" I shot back, not unkindly.
He laughed, undeterred. "Just thought I'd offer to walk you out. Figured it's been a rough day."
For a second, I wanted to brush him off, but something in his expression made me pause. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to walk and talk for a minute.
As we stepped outside together, he kept the conversation light, steering clear of anything too personal. We talked about classes, teachers, random things that didn't feel heavy, and it was refreshing, like stepping into a cool breeze after a hot day.
"So, where are you headed?" he asked as we reached the edge of the school parking lot.
"Home," I replied. "Nothing exciting."
"Nothing exciting? That sounds tragic. Everyone's gotta have a little excitement," he joked. "Maybe I'll run into you sometime when you're not looking quite so miserable."
I scoffed, but his words stayed with me as I watched him walk away. Maybe there was something to this whole "moving on" idea.
As I headed back toward the main road, I allowed myself a moment to imagine a life where I wasn't hung up on Dean. A life where I didn't tense up every time I saw him, where I didn't flinch at the thought of him with someone else.
Maybe, just maybe, Jon was right. It was time to find my own happiness, one small step at a time. And as much as it terrified me, I realized that might mean letting someone new into my life.
