Dell

CHAPTER 12

When we get to Cole's car, he starts the car but doesn't drive off. He just sits there in silence for a minute and then speaks.

"You want to explain what the hell happened? Is there something going on between you two?" He stares ahead.

"No, well yes, I don't know anymore Cole." I bury my head in my hands.

"Do you like him?" He asks through clenched teeth.

I just nod my head, my voice nowhere to be found.

"Do you like me?" He finally looks at me.

"Yes but-"

"But not like that. I got it."

"That's not It Cole, you're perfect and you care about me and you're everything he's not." I ramble.

"That's just it though, I'm everything he's not, and he's everything that you want." He looks at me with somber eyes.

"I don't want to lose you as a friend though. I know it's selfish of me, but I mean it Cole." I put my hand on his and he looks down at it, I quickly remove it.

He pulls out of the parking lot and heads to the dorms.

"I don't know what to tell you right now Della. Give me some time." He says without looking at me.

I nod my head. My heart feels heavy and I feel terribly guilty for choosing James over Cole and then having this happen to me. James sleeping with another girl is surely my karma for doing this to Cole.

We pull up to the dorms and Cole parks the car.

"I'm sorry Cole, for everything. But please tell me we'll be okay?" I reach over to hug him and he tenses.

"We will be, but not yet. Goodbye Della."

I nod my head and get out of the car before I start to cry again.

Before I go to sleep, I think about everything that happened today. Today was hell. James slept with another girl, probably has always been sleeping with her, I finally told Cole about me and James. I told James I never wanted to see him again, and James told Cole that he wouldn't let him take me away too. I wonder what he meant by that. Maybe Cole stole a girl from James? I didn't think too much of it in the moment, but it was very cryptic now that I think of it.

At some point during the night, I drift off to sleep, my heart too tired to keep reliving today.

The next week is hell for me. I lost Cole and James in the same day. Reese and Alex are too into each other and I refuse to burden them with my problems. I spend everyday like a zombie, just going to class and then back to my dorm. James hasn't been in class all week.

I know I told him I don't want to see him again, but I expected a bit more of a fight. I guess I didn't mean as much to him as he did, does to me. I miss him terribly, but I won't put myself through this.

When I get to my dorm on Friday afternoon, I finally call the person I know can help me through this.

"Hey pumpkin" I hear his gruff voice and it almost brings me to tears.

"Dad can I come home just for the weekend?" I choke out.

"Yeah of course baby, give me two hours and I'll be there."

"Thanks dad, I love you."

"I love you too pumpkin." He says and hangs up.

~~

Two hours pass and I am waiting outside with my bag over my shoulder when my dad finally pulls up. He gets out of the car and rushes over to me. He pulls me into a tight hug and I let my bag fall to the floor so I can hug him back.