no hard feelings

fourteen

Bryce's point of view
I put my phone in my pocket as I sigh and listen to Josh. We have this new energy drink coming out, so I have to be paying attention.

I would rather be texting Addison though. Don't get me wrong, this product is very important to me. But Addison is also very important to me...

Hall, focus alright! We need to get this meeting done and over with so you can get to Addison's place for lunch.

"Bryce, buddy you listening?" Josh says as he holds up my designs. "Yeah totally." I answer back, wanting to speed this process up so I can get out of here.

"Okay fine" Josh says, and he continues on with our meeting. When it's finally over, I take a breath of relief. "We have to stay back a couple more minutes for the name of it" our manager says, and I groan in pain.

"I already sent some name suggestions to you" I say, getting ready to leave. Josh stops me by holding my shoulder. "Buddy, what's the rush?" Josh exclaims, and our manager nods in agreement.

"I have to be somewhere. It's urgent" I say, and Josh laughs to himself. What is so damn funny. "Oh I get it. Buddy wants to go to his girl" Josh said. I blush. "No I don't" I say shyly, but Josh knows me better than that.

"I saw you texting her bud. Don't hide that shit from me. Let him go" he asks our manager and I turn to him as well. He doesn't have the best face on when he hears that.

"Over a GIRL Hall? Really? We need this product out in a month and if you leave now it has the possibility of coming out in a year" he said, and shock takes over my face.

"One, Addison is not just any girl. And two, A YEAR? We've worked way too hard for this, and the fans expect it next month!" I exclaim, but our manager doesn't move a muscle.

"Sorry to tell you Bryce, but it's the truth. I don't wanna be the bad guy, and you know that. But you know what I am saying is true" he says, and I nod sadly.

"I need to be there for Addison. You just-" I start but the manager finishes, saying "Don't understand. Trust me Bryce I understand plenty. But what's more important: this product, which you've been working on for a long time, or Addison?" he asks.

That's not fair. He can't expect me to choose between those two. "I choose both" I say proudly. "And I'm gonna prove it to you" I add, pushing Josh over to our manager.

"I'm gonna leave right now to be with Addison. The product still coming out next month, I'll text you the details" I say, leaving out the door which left them stunned.

I get in my car and set up the address on my phone, and I start the drive. As I drive to the house, I feel my forehead drip with sweat. I am getting nervous.

I have never felt this feeling before: being nervous. I wasn't like this when I met Elle's parents in Louisiana. They didn't like me, but me and Elle didn't care and we told each other I love you for the first time that day. That didn't age well clearly.

I just hope her parents like me. And that they don't hate me when me and Addison "break up". But I don't focus on that as I park right in front of the house.

Addison's point of view
What. the. Fuck.

How is that Elle bitch here? And how the hell is she Elinor from back home? They look nothing alike. Nothing!

Well, now that I think about it, they do have similar features. But only one feature can truly confirm it was her. I needed to know if this was truly my toxic ex best friend.

"Elinor?" I ask in sarcasm. "Yes?" she says sweetly, batting her blue eyes at me. As I look deep inside of them, I gasp as I then realize that this truly was my toxic ex best friend.