The Unexpected Meeting

Things had been messy since the party that turned my life upside down. And somehow, it just kept getting worse.

If I thought things would settle after I got out of the hospital, I was deceiving myself. They didn’t.

Mom barely spoke to me and when she did, it was strained, like she was holding back everything she really wanted to say. Dad tried to keep things normal, but it didn't help. I knew I dragged the family into my mess but there was nothing I could do to change what happened.

Then there was Ray.

His visit left me really shaken. He said he still wanted me, that we could make things work. His words kept echoing in my head, making everything even more confusing. I didn't pick any of his many calls. I didn't know what to do.

And Don… I hadn’t seen or heard from him since the day I yelled at him in the hospital and told him to leave. I regretted how I acted.

I wanted to call him. TmI wanted to apologize. But every time I picked up the phone, I froze.

That’s why, when Tee suggested going out I almost refused.

“Jess, you need a break,” Tee said, flopping onto the couch beside me.

I sighed. “I don’t feel like going anywhere.” I said.

Jared joined us. He stretched out on the other end of the couch. “You’ve been locked up in here for too long.” He said. He seemed to have a lot of time for a usual workaholic.

"Two days isn't too long, Jared" I said. They are making it seem as if I was in there for weeks. "Besides I've been down for all the meals too, so it isn't exactly being locked up" I added.

"It's still not enough, Jess. You need to go out and clear your head" Tee insisted.

“I need peace,” I muttered.

“You need air,” Tee corrected. “And food. And fun.” she added.

“I’m fine.” I said.

Jared scoffed. “You are not fine.” he joined in.

Tee gave me a pleading look. “Come on. No drama, no stress, just us. It’ll be fun. Let's take a walk then grab a meal somewhere quite” she said and it sounded okay and although I still hesitated a bit, I still gave in. Tee always wins.

“Fine,” I finally said. “But no serious talk. No baby talk too.” I warned knowing Tee very well.

Tee grinned. “Deal.” she said.

The restaurant we settled for was quite and warm. It was a new place and that was my first time going there. I couldn't fault it despite my mood. It's the kind of place that promises peace. Tee and Jared kept up a steady stream of jokes, making me laugh for the first time ik the past two days.The atmosphere was generally warm and I was glad I agreed to go out. For a moment, things felt normal.

Then I heard a voice I wasn’t expecting.

“Jess?” the voice called out.

I froze.

I looked up my breath catching.

Don. It really was him.

His eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, neither of us moved. (What is he doing here)

The last time I saw him, I was yelling at him and telling him to leave.

Now, he just looked.......tired. He was alone and I from what he was wearing I figured he just came to grab a meal.

Tee, ever the problem solver, waved down a waiter. “Hey, we need one more chair.” she said snapping me out of the trance.

Don hesitated, glancing at me as if waiting for permission.

I gave a small nod. What else could I have done.

He sat down.

At first, it was a little awkward though Tee and Jared did most of the talking, filling the silence with random stories and jokes. They are an amazing pair. Have always been. Don played along, though he was quieter than usual.

But slowly, it started feeling okay. We were conversing like old times.

We talked about random things, from funny childhood stories to old high school memories. Don was always like a sibling to the three of us. Though I was closer to him than the others. After all we were thesame age. Before long we were all laughing.

For a little while, we kept aside all the trouble.

Then after we finished eating, Tee suddenly stood up.

“Oh, I just remembered something. I think I saw a classmate of mine earlier." She quickly said and started heading out. We all looked at her since she was acting funny. Then she came back reaching for Jared.

"Come with me, Jared.” she said not even giving him an option. You'd think she was the older one.

Jared frowned. “What? Why?” he asked but Tee shot him a look, then grabbed his arm. “Just come.” she said.

He was obviously still confused but he let her drag him away.

And just like that, Don and I were alone. (Tee is a master planner)

For a long moment, Don and I just sat there, staring at our drinks. Things were awkward again.

Then I took a deep breath. “Don, I....” I stopped.

He looked up.

“I’m sorry,” I blurted out. “For yelling at you. For pushing you away. I wanted to call you. I just… couldn’t.” I managed to say.

His face then softened. “Jess.....”

“I was frustrated, and I took it out on you. You didn’t deserve that.” I said cutting through his words.

He let out a breath, shaking his head. “I get it.” he said

“I just.....” My voice wavered. “Everything was too much.” I added.

“I know.” he said cooly.

His calm and understanding tone made something in me crack.

“I hated the way we left things,” I admitted. “I'm sorry" I said again. I really was.

Don’s lips pressed together, like he was trying to hold something back.

“It's okay, Jess,” he said.

The weight in my chest loosened a little and we fell into easier conversation after that.

“I thought about texting you,” he admitted after a while. “But I didn’t know if you wanted to hear from me.” he said slowly.

“I did,” I said quickly. “I just… I don’t know. I was embarrassed, I guess.”

He frowned. “Embarassed?”

I hesitated. “After what I said to you.” I said.

He sighed. “Jess, you don’t have to go through all this alone.”

“I know,” I whispered. “But sometimes it feels easier that way.” I said.

Don shook his head. “You’ve never been the type to take the easy way out.” he says smiling slightly.

I gave him a small smile. “I don’t know about that.” I said. I knew I was the stubborn type.

He smirked. “I do. You used to make things harder for yourself on purpose.” he said.

I gasped. “I did not.” I argued.

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What about that time in high school when you refused to take my help with your assignment because you wanted to ‘prove a point’?” he asked.

I laughed. “Hey, I had principles.” I said.

“You still failed it.” he laughed

“I still had principles.” I said proudly.

He shook his head with a small chuckle.

I relaxed into my seat, warmth spreading through me. It had been so long since we just sat and talked like this.

I missed it.

The two of us used to be inseparable in highschool. That was before Ray joined us. We did everything together, game nights and random adventures just because we felt like it. Although we didn't particularly drift apart after meeting Ray, we still weren't as close as we used to be. After some years, Don grew distant and if not for our persistence, we wouldn't have still been in touch.

“Things used to be so simple,” I murmured, thinking back.

Don leaned back. “Yeah.” he said.

“We used to have all these big plans, remember?” i asked him.

He smiled, a little wistfully. “I remember.” was all he said.

I sighed. “And now everything has gotten so… complicated.” I couldn't help saying but he didn’t answer right away.

When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet. “Life happens, I guess.”

I nodded slowly.

Then, before I could stop myself, I said

“Ray came to see me.”

Don’s expression didn’t change, but thinking back, something in his posture did shift.

“He said he still wants me,” I continued, slowly this time.

Silence. He said nothing. Didn't even move.

“I don’t know what to do,” I admitted.

“Things are so complicated, and I......” I couldn't even continue. I didn't know what to say.

Don then exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening.

His grip on the glass in front of him tightened.

And then his voice came out low, controlled and brimming with something dangerous, he said

“You can’t go back to him, Jess.”