Golden

twenty-six

"Just know I'm trying my best, 'cause when you look, when you laugh, when you smile, I'll bring you back."

Ian wasn't focusing on much besides the music coming from his earphones as he made his way through the crowded hallways. He reached his locker and opened it when his eyes got stuck on two students down the hallway.

Coby Williams had his arm around Gretchen as they talked, and Ian watched her laugh at something he had said.

"Will he play you so strong just the way that I did? Will he treat you like shit just the way that I did?"

Coby pulled her into a quick kiss before walking into one of the near classrooms, and Gretchen turned around to meet Ian's gaze.

"I don't need to know, I just want to make sure you're okay."

When Ian didn't break the eye contact like he usually did Gretchen started walking again, this time in his direction. Ian fought the urge to shut his locker and hurry away before she could reach him.

"Hey," she greeted once she was close enough, and Ian took out his earphones.

"Hey."

She smiled through the awkwardness and stifled a laugh. "So, I heard you're with the other team now?" Ian rolled his eyes and her smile vanished. "Sorry. I didn't know what else to talk about."

"It's fine," Ian replied, the corners of his lips tucking upwards ever so slightly. "You've always sucked at starting conversations."

Gretchen raised a brow, her blue eyes shooting him a challenging look. "That's so not true! I've gotten better at it."

Ian gave in to the smile tugging at his lips as he thought back to how they had become friends in the first place. Gretchen had been incredibly awkward around strangers when they started high school, and since Ian had always been open and social, they had teamed up and gotten through the days together, gradually growing closer in the process.

"I wouldn't know," he stated truthfully. "How's it going with Coby?"

Gretchen bit her bottom lip, her eyes briefly scanning the floor. "We're planning on going to the same university next year."

"Sounds great."

"It does," she agreed, stifling another laugh. "You know, I miss being your friend, Ian. I don't know if I can even still say that because we barely know each other at this point, but I often think back to how things started out between us."

Ian didn't want to smile but he did, other memories of the two hanging out with Finn entering his mind. It were simpler times when it had been just the three of them, none of them having to bother with any swimming competitions or council meetings.

"You and Coby could join us at lunch someday," Ian said with a shrug, trying to hide the tension in his shoulders. He was sure he could tolerate Gretchen, but he had his doubts about the smug asshole she called her boyfriend. "Actually, maybe just you. For the beginning."

Gretchen shot him an understanding smile and enthusiastically nodded her head, her wavy hair moving violently. "I'd love to! You sure that's okay?"

"Yeah, Finn has been making remarks about how he misses you around us, too."

"Aw, Finn." Gretchen tilted her head, still smiling at Ian. "Thanks, Ian. I really appreciate it."

With that she turned around and walked away, leaving Ian to put his earphone back in, his thoughts racing. Seeing Gretchen still hurt and he couldn't even describe the ache in his chest as they had talked – but the pain seemed less now, as if it had finally gotten better. Ian knew Finn and the other guys at their table would keep the conversation with Gretchen from turning too awkward, so if Ian really wanted to get over their differences, eating lunch with her was probably the best way to do so.