The Girls of 310 [COMPLETED]

Chapter Twelve: The Switch Up

Each morning I awoke, eagerly checking my phone. Of course, each time I was met with disappointment. I cursed myself for allowing Reece a second chance, knowing his destructive streak. It was the beginning of January, and my soul felt just as cold as the dark Canadian winter that mimicked me on the other side of the window.

At first, I assumed he was busy. Then, weeks had passed and my messages still received no answer. Where had he gone?

I further tangled myself in my lavender sheets, attempting to block out all of the sunlight that reminded me of better days. Everyone had decided to go back home and spend Christmas with their families. Reece had told me that he was going home for the holiday, but coming back up to spend time with me.

I waited, but he never came.

After that night together, I let him in. I found myself thinking of him every chance I got, and it never failed to put a smile on my face.

This was exactly why I wanted to figure out how he felt before getting too attached. Sadly, now I had my answer. Maybe I pushed too hard. Maybe he decided that I wasn't worth the trouble.

When I asked his friends, no one could provide me with a satisfying answer. Josh and Travis swore they had no idea where he had disappeared to, and he wasn't answering them either. Andre claimed to not know where he was, but he continued to assure me that Reece was safe.

Marianna had begged me to come spend the break with her and her family, but I refused, instead opting to wallow in self pity in the apartment. I had four days left until everyone came back. I needed to enjoy my peace while it lasted.

Although I had woken up around noon, I remained in bed until four. By then, the sun had gone down, and I was no longer forced feign happiness. I spent an uncharacteristically long time in the shower, and put on the biggest, loosest sweater I could find. My hair was piled on top of my head in the messiest puff I could muster.

Loneliness coursed through my veins as I dragged myself to the kitchen. To tell you the truth, I did feel as if I was being a bit dramatic, but I had really thought that Reece and I had at least become friends. Plus, no girl wanted to be randomly ghosted like that. Being alone for the past few weeks, coupled with my annual seasonal depression, surely played an important factor in the way I was feeling as well.

The clock on the stove read 5:26 and I took that as my cue to make dinner. My first and last meal of the day. I opened the fridge and pondered on my options. An unexpected knock on the door forced me out of my thoughts. I couldn't help the slight excitement I felt at the thought of who it might be.

Then, I realized, the chances of it being him were slim to none. I groaned and approached the door, rather having been left alone. Turning the lock, I opened the door slightly.

"Hey, Mal," said a grinning Andre.

Tears welled up behind my now closed eyelids and a hard lump formed in my throat. With great effort, I swallowed the lump and blinked back the tears. On top of my sad exterior, I placed a mask of utter happiness.

"Andre! Hey!" I smiled fakely as I pulled him in for a hug. "I didn't think any of you were coming back until Sunday?"

He stepped into my apartment, hands in his pockets as he took in my appearance. "I can tell," he laughed gently.

"I'm just making some dinner, you hungry?" I asked, nodding towards the kitchen.

"Always," he replied and sat down on one of the stools at our island.

I grabbed two chicken breasts from the fridge and began to season them. When that was done, I stuck them in the oven and got to work on cutting up some vegetables. Andre sat and watched as I wordlessly moved about the kitchen.