Let Me Know| Monty x Winston (13 Reasons Why) *discontinued*

Part Twenty-Two

POV: Monty
Monday, June 9, 2021
5:30 pm

It had been almost two years since the incident, I hadn't talked to Winston or especially Cj since then, and I guess it was for the better. Everyone forgot that I was hanging out with Winston and...people started to become my friends again. It felt great, to be honest. People sat with me at lunch, invited me to parties, I felt in place again. but also, I knew that deep down inside, I still wanted to be with Winston. I desperately needed his embrace, his words, his laugh, everything. But I couldn't confront my true self.

So when I was put together with Winston for our project, I knew that I had to take my chance and try to fix our bond. I guess that we had mutually agreed to meet at the library downtown, so that's where I was. I was sitting down at the booth right next to the window. A shelf of books stood behind me.

I heard the door of the library open and soon came in Winston, he had on the same outfit he was wearing in school.

I gave him a little smile.

He sat down across from me, "um...so I was doing some research on the diversity thing..." he started.

He went on and on for a bit talking as I tried my best to focus on what he was saying. But all I could focus on was him, not his words but, him. His face, his lips, his eyes, his hair, they way he smiled, I swear to god I could've grabbed him right there and kissed-

"Right?" Winston said pointing at a graph on the table.

I had no idea what he was talking about, "yeah," I said, hoping he wouldn't ask any questions about anything he said.

I check my phone it was almost 6pm. I knew I had to get going eventhough he just got there but I didn't say anything I was enjoying it.

It went silent for a few minutes as he started to work and type and write some stuff in the presentation and I did too. I could see the sun was still out and shining but was going down. The air coming from the open window was slow and humid. I started to get anxious, knowing that if I didn't say anything now, I wouldn't know when I would have another chance to talk. I but my lip and my leg started shaking.

"So, what've you been doing," I asked him.

He looked up at me from his keyboard, "Um, well I just trying to find the racial diversity right now if you want to do gender or sexuality-"

I shook my head with a grin, "No no, like...out of school."

"Oh," he chuckled, "Um...not much yeah, I got into Dartmouth a couple months ago, I've been packing and ya know,"

My heart dropped, "Shut up, no way,"

His eyes widened.

"I got in too!" I said. I applied in November just for fun but I never thought that they would accept me.

"Oh, that's so cool," he said with a smile.

I could tell things were still awkward between us, he wasn't reacting like he usually would, he used to be goofy and bubbly, not anymore.

I was staring into his eyes, and he was staring into mine. I decided to do it.

I bent over the table to kiss him, my lips were touching his, it was magical, but only for a second. He put his hands on my shoulders gently pushing me away.

He looked away then at the table, "I-I'm sorry, I don't think we should be doing this, maybe it was fine last year but...not now, I barely know you."

Those words punctured my heart and and went straight for my soul. I bit my lip as hard as I could, staring at the floor. I quickly picked up my backpack and my computer, "I have to go," I said, leaving the table. I headed towards the door.

"Wait, Monty-" Winston started.

I ignored and walked out of the library, into the hot, summer streets.

***Sorry this chapter took so long guys, I've had some stuff to do with online school and stuff but I have some stuff planned and I'm thinking the next chapter will be a Winston POV and then the chapter after that either a Monty or Cj, I'm not sure if I'm gonna do an Elio POV just yet, but lmk who you would like to hear from***