I groaned as the sound of my alarm clock pierced through my dreams, awakening me. The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was that I was alone. Where Chad had previously slept was a sheet of paper with a short message written on it: Arabella, sorry I won't be there when you wake up. I didn't want your mom to wake up and see me here. I'll be back to pick you up around the usual time. -Chad
I smiled at the gesture, completely understanding why he left though the feeling of waking up alone after falling asleep in his arms was a little disappointing. I quickly got to work with my morning routine.
***
The day came and went like most others and before I knew it, Chad was dropping me back off at home like he'd done so many times prior. I felt the familiar twinge of sadness when I pulled the handle and exited the car. "I'll text you later" Chad promised before speeding away.
No more than ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. I rolled my eyes, but smiled. I'd expected to see Chad when I swung the door open, but instead a more familiar face smiled back at me, crows feet pulling at either temple.
"Dad!" I yelled, tackling him into a hug. It had been over a month since I'd seen my father, when we'd spent time together over the summer. "What are you doing here?" I asked, pulling out of his tight, but loving hug.
"Well, I'm here on business at a hotel about an hour away so I thought I'd come and surprise you" he told me, stepping through the threshold into the house.
"I'm so glad to see you!" I gushed, leading him to the living room.
"Me too, baby girl"
"How long will you be here?" I asked, hoping I'd get more than just today with him. My father and I had always been close, much more so than my mom and I.
"Well, I cleared my schedule for the rest of the week" he told me, increasing my excitement.
Though it had been quite some time since he lived here, my dad made himself right at home, flipping on the TV and munching on popcorn with me. We were engrossed in an episode of I Love Lucy, one of our favorite shows, when my mom arrived.
I quickly pulled myself off the couch and greeted her by the door. "Hey mom," I said quietly, a small warning before she walked into the living room to find her ex-husband, "Dad's here" I whispered.
My mom looked confused, but instead of inquiring me further, she stepped around me and greeted my father civilly. "Hello, Jared" she nodded at my father, who'd also gotten up off the couch and pulled her into a light, friendly hug.
"How about I take you gals out for dinner?" my dad asked, looking genuinely interested in spending time with the both of us.
"I suppose that would be fine, let me clean up a bit first" my mom replied, I could tell she wasn't completely comfortable with spending time with him, but like always, she was putting on her brave face. My mom had a cool confidence about her, which came in handy during what would normally be an awkward situation.
I, of course, was thrilled with the arrangement. I missed the days when my family was whole, going out for pizza and playing pool together. And apparently, that's exactly what my dad had in mind for us tonight.
We drove in my dad's rental car, he was fascinated with how high tech the new models were. He still knew the way by heart, to our favorite pizza place, not asking for confirmation on directions once.
As we pulled up to the restaurant, I pushed down the memories of the last time I was here. It was before Dylan had shown his true colors, when I still trusted him. Instead, I thought of Chad. I checked my phone again, confirming that he hadn't texted me, as promised. I felt silly for being disappointed, so I pushed that down as well, and focused on the menu.
I'd been so distracted, that when I looked up to give the waitress my drink order, I noticed Chad at the same table he'd been at the first time I saw him here. But he wasn't with the group of boys he'd been with that time. Instead, he was smiling and a blonde with long hair and a leather jacket.
I asked for a water, to the still waiting waitress, and excused myself to the bathroom.
Only after I'd gotten up and pushed in my chair, did I realize that this was a bad idea. I'd be drawing attention to myself when I walked past their table.
Keep it together. I repeated to myself as I strode through the restaurant, not allowing myself to glance in the direction of Chad's table.
Looking into the mirror, I realized that this wasn't the first time I'd escaped into the bathroom, my mind drifting to that night at the country club.
I knew it was stupid for me to feel upset. We weren't dating. Hell, Chad had never even said in so many words that he liked me in that way. Maybe this connection I'd been believing in all this time, had just been something I'd conjured up in my head.
I thought of the girl he was with. I didn't get a very good look at her, but she looked more like his type than I'd ever be. As much as I'd longed to be the cool girl who wore leather jackets and smoked cigarettes and drank vodka straight from the bottle while listening to obscure rock songs, that wasn't who I was. I was the girl who came home from school and did her homework. Who watched Gossip Girl religiously and fell in love with characters in books far more than I'd ever been in love with a human being.
I should've known Chad would never be interested in me like that. I was just the poor little girl who he had to rescue occasionally. The girl he was with looked like she could put up a fight, though she was think and I imagine beautiful, she gave off the vibe that said don't fuck with me. That's probably what he's into.
With one final look in the mirror, I picked myself up and walked out the door. This time, though, I wasn't strong enough to keep my eyes off their table. Much to my regret, my eyes immediately locked with Chad's. My feet froze, along with my eyes. The next thing I knew, my body was being knocked into and freezing liquid and ice poured all over my shirt.
I stepped back, but slipped on a piece of ice, landing straight on my butt. The waitress apologized profusely, helping me up. I assured her that it was okay, and walked back to my parent's table, embarrassed. I didn't dare look at Chad's table for the rest of my meal.
Chad left not too long later, I saw him pass my seat through my peripheral vision, but he made no move to stop, or even say hi to me.
So that's where we stand.
