The Boy Across The Lake ~ Bratayley Fanfiction

Chapter 17. Advice From a Lab Partner

Caleb's POV

The next week at school felt odd without Felicity being around all the time; because we (her, Jamie, and I) were mad at each other, Felicity sat alone at lunch while I sat with Jamie and Annabelle. I'd glance up a couple of times just to check up on her, but I didn't talk to her.

One time Annabelle caught me staring at Felicity. She grabbed my arm and said, "Why don't you just go talk to her?"

"Who?" I asked, pretending not to know what she was talking about.

Annabelle tilted her head to the side. "Felicity, of course. You've been staring at her, and I've seen her stare at you a few times too; just to talk to her."

I hesitated. "I can't."

"Why?"

"Because Felicity was being ridiculous," Jamie replied as she took a bite out of her apple.

"Again, why?" Annabelle asked.

"Because Felicity was jealous of you, thinking you liked Caleb or something," Jamie explained.

"She did?"

Jamie and I nodded.

"Wow," Annabelle let out a small laugh before we all continued to eat our lunch. Once the bell rang, we walked to our next class together as she said, "Hey, don't forget you're coming over to my place after school to work on our lab."

"I won't forget," I said as she smiled at me and sat down next to me.

•••

After school, Annabelle drove us to her place to work on our science lab. She parked in her garage and lead us into the house through one of the doors. She greeted her older sister Leslie, who apparently went to a nearby community college and still lived at home, before taking us upstairs into her family's office.

We were working separately at first, Annabelle gathering the materials while I conducted the research. It was quite for a while before I couldn't help but say my thoughts out loud.

"I don't know who's right or wrong in this situation," I admitted aloud.

"For what? The research?" Annabelle turned around and gave me a weird look. "Are you looking at two different sites or something?" She came over and glanced over my shoulder to see what was on my laptop screen.

"No, I mean about Felicity and the rest of us," I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "I don't know if I let Jamie's opinion get to my head and Felicity is actually not in the wrong here. I don't know what to do, Annabelle."

Annabelle brought her chair over and sat next to me. She gave me a small smile before replying, "Caleb, what I suggest is if you're unsure of what's going on, talk to Felicity yourself. You heard Jamie's side of the story, but there's always another side. If you don't talk to her, you'll never know what she has to say, and that could really ruin your relationship."

"I don't even know if I'm in a relationship right now, to be honest," I admitted sadly as I fidgeted with my hands in my lap. I then looked up and awkwardly smiled at Annabelle. "Sorry, I should shut up about my personal problems right now. I'm here to help you work on our lab. Sorry for treating you like my personal therapist."

Annabelle laughed. "Hey, no worries. That's what friends are for, right?" She then looked at the time on my laptop. "But we only have another half hour or so until I have to head off to work."

"Bookshop, right?"

"Yeah," Annabelle nodded, and then all of a sudden she had a look on her face of realization. "The bookshop! Felicity works there, too! She's supposed to be working there tonight! You should come with me so you can talk to her in person!"

"I don't know," I shrugged. "What if she won't talk to me?"

"Ugh," Annabelle rolled her eyes before grabbing my arm and dragging me up and out of my chair. "Caleb, there's no way to know unless you come with me and see her in person!"

I hesitated, but before I could even speak Annabelle cut me off again, "Can't you see I'm tying to save your relationship here?! No ifs ands or buts, you're coming to work with me. Finish up some research and we leave in 20."

"Fine," I agreed, knowing I couldn't argue with her if I tried. I just hoped everything would go well, and Felicity would talk to me; I have to know the truth.

•••

A/N: so ummmm i kinda forgot this account existed ?? i haven't touched this draft since july and it's january LMAO soooo happy 2019

anyway i hope you enjoyed this chapter! if so please don't forget to vote comment and share because i love your feedback!

thanks, until next time ;)