2 heartbroken teens

3

Eventually, I go with Jordan. It was a last minute decision, to be honest. I was pretty comfy playing video games, but I don't feel like cooking today. Luckily, we are going to one of my favorite restaurants downtown.

When we arrive, Andy and Ashley are already there.

"What's up?" Andy greets us.

"Hey Vinnie", says Ashley.

"Hi guys."

We sit down and check the menu. When the waiter comes, I order a burger with fries and soda (nothin special, I know), while Jordan and Ashley order a salad and Andy and Maddie order tacos.

Although I'm the only one single at the table, we all know each other for a long time, so it's like a meeting with friends. I laugh, which I couldn't have done locked in my room. Even time passes faster.

When I wasn't single, we used to hang out the six of us, like a triple date. It was fun, and this is the first time we're five. They don't mention my ex, which I appreciate, and helps me to have a good time.

However, happiness isn't long-lasting. Speaking of devil, Riley, my ex-girlfriend, enters in the restaurant with some friends. My friends and I are at the terrace, so we notice them walking to the inside.

Suddenly, my friends hush and look at me.

"I would rather if we act like if we haven't seen them." I say. The last thing I want is to create drama all in a sudden. I hope she does the same. She didn't look at us, but that doesn't mean she hasn't seen us. Fuck, what an unexpected and unnecessary situation.

We continue talking about snakes as pets, which was the conversation we were having before the interruption, yet the atmosphere is not the same. Fortunately, we have already finished eating, so we're gonna leave soon.

"Shall we pay?" asks Ashley. We all agree.

"Why don't you come to our house for the rest of the day?" Jordan suggests Ashley and Andy once we leave the restaurant.

"Sounds good, but we have to go to Ashley's parents house." Andy answers.

"Next time, I promise." Ashley adds, so we goodbye them.

We start walking to the car, but someone calls me. I recognize the voice. "Why now", I say to myself.

"Keep going", I say to Jordan and Maddie, "see you in the car". They nod.

I turn around. Like I guessed, it's Riley. What do she wants? We agreed not to see each other again, so I hope she has something important to say that matters enough.

"Can we talk for a minute?" She places a strand behind her ear. She does it when she's uncomfortable. Glad I'm not the only one.

"About what, exactly?" Maybe I sound a little rude, but I don't care at all. She hurt me, and although I forgave her, I can't forgive what she did. But I'm not gonna talk about that now.

She sighs and takes a ring out of the pocket of her jacket. I remember I gave it to her in our second date. It's silver, with a red detail. Before dating, I never took it off because I really liked that ring. Now I see it and I have the need to throw it away. She has gotten me to hate that fucking ring.

"Look, I found it the other day in my bedroom..."

"You can keep that damn ring. I don't want it."

"But it's yours." Riley passes me the ring. I don't take it.

"I said I don't want it." I try not to lift my voice too high so I don't make a scene. This is stupid.

"Don't get mad, I thought you could want it back." She keeps the ring back to the pocket.

"I totally forgot about it." It's the truth.

She doesn't say anything more, just keeps staring at me, like waiting to me to say something.

"You should go back with your friends." I finally say. She keeps looking at me for some seconds more, then she leaves. I don't waste any more time and I walk to Jordan's car, but I don't get in.

"Go back home Jordan. I'm going for a walk." I say through the window.

"Are you sure?"

I nod.

"I'll call you later."

"Okay. Take care."

There's a place where I go every time I wanna be on my own, away from the city noise and people, just to think and do nothing. That place is an abandoned mall two kilometres away from the city. Sounds creepy, but I swear is the most peaceful place in the world.