It's Always Been You

Mission Moving On

It was now or never for me to do the most perfect match making of all time and introduce Wes to Summer Thomson.

Summer walked into the cafe, smiling and waving to some familiar faces she saw. She was about to walk past out booth to head to the counter to order when I stopped her.

"Summer!" I beamed a bright and friendly smile as I waved her over, ignoring the pang in my chest.

I could totally vomit right now. This was violently heart-wrenching.

Michelle gave me a reassuring smile, nodding her head slowly because she knew what I was doing.

Chris and Wes both snapped their heads over in confusion, not knowing what was going on.

"Hey," Summer exhaled as she stopped at the end of our table. She smiled warmly at me. "What's up, Fia? How was your break?"

As much as I wanted to hate her because she could potentially be Wes's other half, I couldn't. She was perfect and she was one of the sweetest and most charming girls I had ever met.

I didn't know her incredibly well and wasn't very close with her but we talked often if we sat together in lectures. Every time I had talked to her, she was nothing but a ray of sunshine whose smile was contagious.

Wes would love her. I knew he would.

And that was exactly why this was killing me.

I wanted to back out but I kept reminding myself that things between Wes and I would only go downhill and become more agonizing if I did not get over my feelings for him.

"It was good," I returned the smile. "My sister got married." I played off the match making by making small talk with her so she wouldn't grow suspicious. It was all part of the game.

Summer grinned, her eyes lighting up. "Aw, tell her I said congratulations. That's amazing."

"I will," I chuckled softly. "How was your break? I didn't catch you in class. We must have sat on opposite ends."

"Yeah I slept in so I got to class late," she sheepishly chuckle, rubbing the back of her neck. I never that Wes's gaze was trained on her. I didn't have to look at him to know that. "I guess I'm still jet lagged. But we should totally catch up sometime before class."

I nodded my head eagerly, trying to match her enthusiasm. "Of course, I would love to. But hey, are you busy right now?"

She gave me an odd look, chuckling softly. "No, I was just going to grab a latte before walking back to my apartment."

And this was go time.

I bit back my urge to yell 'abort mission!' as I slid out of the booth. I turned to grab Wes's hand, pulling him out of the booth after me.

Wes was startled and baffled, utterly confused as he awkwardly stood beside me and in front of Summer. He tried to understand what the hell was going on but the look of confusion remained etched across his features. "Have you met Wes, Summer?"

She looked at Wes, her cheeks tinging pink. She shook her head, forcing out a small laugh. "Um, no?"

I lightly pushed him towards her. "This is my friend, Wes. Total gentleman." I turned to glance at Wes, not fully meeting his gaze but I did notice to the horrified look on his face. "Wes, meet Summer."

"Hi?" Wes remained confused but still offered her a small smile. He looked at me with wide eyes as if asking 'what are you doing?' but I ignored him reluctantly.

"Hi," Summer laughed lightly. "It's nice... to meet you, I guess?"

I turned to Summer, flashing her a smile. "Your dad works in banking right? Well, Wes here is big on the investment banking stuff. I'm sure you two will have a lot to talk about while he walks you to your apartment."

"Huh?" Wes's face scrunched in confusion as he looked at me.

"What?" Summer forced a chuckle, trying to hide the surprise on her face. "He doesn't have to do that."

"Oh no, no," I waved my hand dismissively. "You never know what horrible situation you could find yourself in when walking home alone."

"In broad daylight?" Chris mumbled from behind me.

I flipped him off subtly, my hand behind my back where Summer and Wes couldn't see.

"Wes will gladly walk you home," I ushered him towards her. "Go, buy her a coffee, Wes. I think you guys will... become great friends." I gritted out the words as I bottled up the burning pit of fire that was growing inside me.

Summer nodded her head slowly, her whole face flushed. "I guess that could be cool. I'd love to... get to know you, I suppose." She offered Wes a hesitant smile.

Wes inhaled deeply, clenching his jaw as he smiled back at her. "Yeah, same here. Let me grab my things and I'll meet you at the counter?"

Summer nodded, mumbling a quick goodbye to me as she headed to the counter to wait in line.

Wes snapped his head towards me as soon as she had walked away. "What the hell are you doing?!" His voice came out exasperated, in a whisper-yell so she wouldn't overhear from afar.

I looked at him innocently, ignoring the choking feeling in my throat.

I am so pathetic.

"What?" I mumbled softly, feigning innocence like there wasn't some sort of ulterior motive behind my match-making. "I thought this is what we do. I play cupid so you find your perfect woman." It took a lot of effort for me to refrain from rolling my eyes.

Wes gaped at me, his eyes narrowing. "What the hell, Fia?"

I was confused now. "Why are you mad? I thought this was what we do, Weston."

"Don't Weston me," his snapped. He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated and in anguish which made absolutely no sense.

I let out a slow exhale, trying to understand what the hell his issue was. This was what we did, this was 'our' thing, this was how we became friends in the first place. Why was he mad at me for doing exactly what he wanted me to do?

"I understand that the failed dates are annoying but Summer is an amazing girl," I clenched my fists at my sides to ignore how excruciating it was to praise Summer to the guy that I wanted. "You'll like her if you actually give her a chance so don't mess it up."

Wes continued to gape at me like I was some sort of psycho on the loose. He started sputtering in bewilderment, "Fia, why are you- I don't-"

I cut him off as I pushed him in the direction that Summer was standing. It took all my courage to do so but I pushed him. "Go! What are you waiting for?"

Wes continued to heave and sputter as he reluctantly dragged his feet towards her, plastering on a bright smile when she turned to face him.

I exhaled a very slow breath to calm myself down as I turned to Chris and Michelle. I was not going to start crying. No way in hell.

This is part of the process, I reminded myself. It's part of the process. It hurts now but I have to do something to get over my feelings for Wes.

Michelle gave me a sheepish look, puckering out her lips in thought. She knew how difficult that was for me.

Chris, who didn't know my intentions, was gawking at me in utter confusion.

I sighed, grabbing my phone and wallet. "Michelle will fill you in. I have to go."

"Where are you going?" Michelle stopped me before I could walk away, her eyes filled with worry.

I shrugged my shoulders, feeling the weight of a million brights falling on to me. "I don't know, Elle. I need to get out here."

"Fia," she sighed, her whole face falling. "I'm so sorry. I know that was hard but... one step closer to getting over him?"

I forced a smile onto my face, trying to make it look reassuring.

"Yeah," I lied. "One step closer."