The Choices We Make

Chapter 4

"What? Are you drunk?" I ask "maybe a little but I needed to tell you now that I've fallen for Suzi." I swallow and trying to keep my tears away "so you're breaking up with me over the phone?" I ask 

"I just wanted you to be prepared for tomorrow" he says slurring more. 

"Thanks" I say sarcastically and end the call. 

I sit there not believing what he's just said. I feel a little numb. My tears fall and I cry myself to sleep.  In the morning my eyes feel itchy and I know it's going to be a long day.  

As I leave, I see Bright kicking a flat tire "do you need a ride?" I offer "thanks man I haven't got the time to change it" he gets in the car and looks at me "you alright man?" he asks 

I shake my head "Cody drunk called me to tell me, he's fallen for Suzi" I tell him. 

"He broke up with you over the phone?" Bright asks loudly "according to him it was so, I could be prepared" I say laughing a little bitterly.

"Wow! I knew he was a bit of a dick, but that is low man" Bright says. "I'm here for you if you need a sounding board or a drink buddy" he offers. 

"Thanks, but I haven't really got the time to drink my problems away. I might call you for a meal though" I tell him. "Count me in" he says patting my shoulder "right pair, aren't we?" I say smiling sadly 

"I can tell you, time does help" he assures me. "Thanks, have a good day" I say as I park the car cutting the engine. "Don't you normally pick Cody up?" he asks I raise my eyebrow at him "yeah sorry" he apologises.  

We get out the car and wave goodbye. The morning drags and I ignore the calls from Cody while I'm in class.  I get a free half an hour so call Cody "where were you this morning?" he answers "did you really think I'd come and pick you up after your call?" I ask him "you could have told me?" he says "where do you want to meet Cody, I have 20 minutes?" I ask instead. 

"We are down in the cafeteria in your building" he answers. I roll my eyes and end the call heading downstairs to the cafeteria. I spot them as soon I walk in.  I sit down and cross my arms over the table. I look only at Cody 

"I'm really sorry and I haven't really told Suzi yet. I thought she might understand better if she heard what I had to say to you" he starts. I glance at Suzi and she looks a little hung over too. 

"I am really sorry about this Lance but I've fallen for Suzi and want to see if we can make it work" he says 

"What? What the hell are you doing? Lance is my friend you asshole?" Suzi shouts standing up and marching from the table.  Cody looks like he's about to cry "right well I'll pack your stuff up and you can go to the front desk to pick it up" I tell him. 

"What? No, I can still come around and hang out" he has the nerve to say. 

"Piss off Cody" I lean in and whisper as I stand up. He grabs my arm "Lance we can still be friends" he says a tear rolling down his cheek. 

"I don't want a friend like you Cody" I tell him as I take his hand from my arm.  I turn and ignore him as he calls my name.  

He catches up to me when I reach the stairs. "Lance please, I think I'm going to need your help to talk to Suzi?" he begs.  

I look at him shocked that he could ask me something like that. "You want me? To help you talk to Suzi?" I question unbelievably "yes, you're her friend she will listen to you. Please Lance" he pleads. 

I think I must be numb or incredibly stupid as I hear myself telling him to follow me to the labs.

He gripes a little that we are taking the stairs until he looks at me, then shuts up.  We enter the lab and I ask for his phone. "She won't pick up" he states "I'm going to tell her it's me by text then video call her" I explain numbly.  I text her using her childhood nick name so she knows it's me then video call her.