It's Always Been You

Misplaced Priorities

I let out a frustrated sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose as I spoke to Nate over the phone. "Come on, Nate. You've rescheduled or bailed on our plans three times already this week alone."

"I know, I know," Nate's voice came through the line, laced with obvious exasperation. "But you know how crazy things have been for me lately with classes, assignments, and baseball practice. I have to prioritize and manage my time. And you know how hard coach is always going us-if I don't get my grades in order, I'll be kicked off the team before the season is even in full swing."

Guilt twisted in my gut at his reminder. I knew Nate had a lot on his plate this semester-I didn't want to come across as that clingy, nagging girlfriend always demanding his undivided attention.

But still...

"I understand that," I said, struggling to keep any accusation from my tone. "But Nate, I honestly can't remember the last time we actually hung out, just the two of us. It's been weeks."

He let out a heavy sigh, the sound crackling slightly through the phone's speaker. "You're right, you're right," Nate conceded. "How about this-are you going to that party at the Delta Tau house tonight?"

I felt my shoulders slump as weariness washed over me.

A party really wasn't how I'd envisioned spending quality time together after so long. "Well, I was hoping we could maybe just have a chill night in together," I admitted. "You know, order some food, watch a movie, actually get to catch up without a million other distractions around."

"Tonight's not really good for that," Nate replied, his tone taking on a dismissive edge that made my heart sink. "But I can definitely swing by that party for a little while if you'll be there?"

Pressing my lips together, I struggled to bite back the hurt and frustration rapidly bubbling up inside me. Was this really what our relationship had become? A string of broken promises and half-assed efforts, always on Nate's terms and schedule?

"You know what?" I said, unable to keep the weariness from seeping into my voice. "Yeah, sure. I'll just...see you at the party tonight then, I guess."

"Great, sounds good!" The false cheer in Nate's tone grated on my already frayed nerves. "I'll catch you later, babe."

Then, without so much as a proper goodbye, the line went dead. Nate had simply hung up, likely already moving on to the next task or distraction on his endless list of priorities that seemed to constantly outrank me.

A harsh sound escaped my throat-something caught between a groan of frustration and a choked-off sob.

Rearing back, I hurled my phone across the room, watching it bounce off the wall with a dull thud before clattering to the floor.

"Woah, hey!" Michelle's startled voice cut through the tension as she looked up from her spot on her bed. "I take it the phone call with Nate didn't go so well?"

I shot her a disgruntled look, scooping up the nearest pillow and clutching it to my chest like a lifeline. "That obvious, huh?" I bit out, unable to mask the bitterness saturating my tone.

Michelle's expression softened with sympathy as she pushed off her bed and made her way over to me. "You don't have to take your anger out on inanimate objects, you know," she said gently, perching on the edge of my mattress. "That's what best friends are for-to vent your frustrations at until you feel better."

I let out a humourless laugh, flopping back against my pillows as I stared unseeingly at the ceiling. "God, I hate to say it, but...sometimes I really miss high school, you know?" I mumbled, squeezing my eyes shut against the telltale sting of tears.