Page 11

Amelia followed me home so I could get my things to stay the night.

I didn't let her come inside with me. When she asked why, I did not say anything.

Quickly grabbing my things, I tried to avoid seeing my parents.

My dad was probably at work, but it was likely that my mom was there.

Luckily for me, she was asleep on the couch.

I left her a note to let her know where I was going.

Once I grabbed my things, I piled them into the trunk of Amelia's car. With a sigh I plopped down into the passenger seat of her car.

"How long has it been since you've been shopping?" Amelia asked while turning on the radio to play her indie bands.

"I don't know... Maybe a year." I responded.

"I can tell." She looked over to me scrutinizing my clothes. "You definitely need a style change."

I let out a sigh as my eyes fell to my attire. I wasn't particularly concerned with my appearance. My typical outfit consisted of yoga pants and baggy hoodies. Maybe it was time for a style change.

As we drove through the quiet streets of Oakwood, I couldn't help but notice the concerned expression on Amelia's face. It was almost comical how she managed to blend her worry with amusement.

"You know, you could use a little fun in your life, El. Maybe a shopping spree is just what you need. New clothes, new beginning," she chirped, her words bubbling with enthusiasm.

I rolled my eyes playfully at her. "What am I going to do with you, Amelia? You act like my life depends on the clothes I wear."

Her laughter filled the car, a sound that always managed to lighten my mood. "Hey, a good outfit can change your whole outlook on things. Plus, when you look good, you feel good. It's science," she teased.

I couldn't help but smile at her infectious energy.

Maybe she was right; perhaps a small change wouldn't hurt.

We turned onto the main street, lined with quaint shops.

Excitement filled me. I haven't done something like that in a long time.

Part of me felt as if I didn't deserve it.

How come I get to go out and have fun while my mother is in misery at home?

As we strolled through the charming boutiques, Amelia was like a whirlwind of colors and fabrics, pulling out dresses and tops for me to try on.

She was so excited, treating me as if I were a barbie doll.

I couldn't remember the last time I had let myself indulge in something as frivolous as shopping, but her enthusiasm was contagious.

"Come on, El, live a little! Try this one on," she insisted, holding up a flowy blue floral dress that she swore would look amazing on me. I wasn't used to wearing dresses like that. I usually dressed in a more grunge style, but I decided to try it on for her sake.

With a slight grin, I relented and took the dress from her, disappearing into the dressing room.

As I slipped it on and looked at my reflection in the mirror, I saw a side of myself that felt almost foreign.

The dress hugged my curves in all the right places, and the vibrant colors made me look more alive than I had felt in a long time.

Though it wasn't my usual style, I decided it was time for a change.

Seeing myself like this made me want to live again.

When I stepped out of the dressing room, Amelia's eyes lit up with excitement. "See, I told you! You look stunning, El," she gushed.

I gave her a bright smile and twirled around, the skirt of the dress flowing around me.

"Wow, Elaine, you look incredible!" Amelia's words filled me with a sense of confidence I hadn't felt in ages.

It was strange how a simple dress could make me feel so different.

As we continued our shopping spree, trying on different outfits and laughing like we used to do, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to enjoy the moment without guilt creeping in.

I really needed to get out and get out of my own head.

After hours of indulging in retail therapy we decided to grab a quick bite at a local diner. I decided to order an omelet. Breakfast for dinner was always my favorite. Amelia decided to order a burger and some fries.

As we were eating I saw a familiar figure from the corner of my vision.

When I looked up I saw a guy with sandy blonde hair and a slim figure.

My stomach dropped. It was my ex boyfriend.

We dated most of my junior year of high school.

He decided to break up with me a month before school ended, and he never said why.

I froze in my seat, my heart pounding against my chest as I watched him laugh with his friends at a nearby booth.

Memories of our time together flooded back, the laughter, the secrets we shared, and the pain of his sudden departure.

My hand trembled slightly, making me drop my fork onto the plate, the clatter sounding loud in my ears.

Amelia noticed my sudden change in demeanor and followed my gaze to where my ex-boyfriend sat. She narrowed her eyes in his direction and then turned back to me, concern etched across her features. "Elaine, are you okay?" she asked softly.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Yeah... Yeah, I'm fine," I whispered, but even I could hear the uncertainty in my voice.

Amelia reached out and placed her hand over mine. "Do you want to leave? We can go home if you're not comfortable."

I shook my head, grateful for her offer but unwilling to let him get to me. The waitress came back around, and Amelia and I decided to order milkshakes.

"Thank you for inviting me to do all of this. I really needed to get out." I smiled at her.

"Of course, I really missed you." She put her hand on top of mine and gave it a squeeze.

Suddenly, I felt a hand grab my shoulder. My heart started pounding out of my chest. When I turned, I was greeted with the face of my ex, Nick.

Nick's brown eyes bore into mine, a mix of surprise and something else I couldn't quite place flickering across his features. "Elaine... hi," he greeted, his voice uncertain.

I felt a surge of conflicting emotions rise within me as memories of our past relationship resurfaced. The hurt, confusion, and unanswered questions scrambled my thoughts.

"Nick," I managed to reply, trying to keep my tone steady.

Amelia shot him a fierce look before turning back to me, her gaze asking for guidance on how to handle the situation. I appreciated her protective instinct but signaled with a soft shake of my head that it was okay.

Nick shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, a nervous energy radiating from him. "I didn't think I'd see you here," he admitted, a hint of regret lacing his words.

I took a moment to collect myself before responding, not wanting to show any vulnerability in front of him. "Well, here I am."

This situation felt very uncomfortable. I could see his friends looking on to see what was happening, and I could practically feel Amelia's eyes shooting daggers at him. The anxiety I was feeling was so intense that I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.

"You look really beautiful." Nick said with a charming smile, looking down at my new dress. He's never seen me dress like this before.

"Thanks." I said, mustering up a small smile.

"Is it ok if we talk outside?" He asked, noticing Amelia's glare.

Oh crap. What should I do? Amelia gave me a glare of warning. She would definitely get on to me later about what I was about to do.

"Sure..." I said hesitantly, slowly sliding out of my seat.

I followed him outside of the diner. I couldn't help but notice how different he looked. He was much tanner than before, and it looked like he put on a little muscle. But, he did not hold a candle to Dominic's looks. Upon that thought my face flushed red. Why am I thinking about him?

Once we got outside he plopped down on a bench, and I decided to sit next to him. He let out a sigh and awkwardly looked down at his feet. This was a very uncomfortable situation. Nervous butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I waited for him to say something.

"I'm really sorry, Elaine." Nick said looking up, his eyes boring into me.

Taking a deep breath, I thought about what to say next. He broke my heart just out of the blue. There were no clues leading up to it, so I did not get a chance to brace myself for it. I loved him deeply, and he told me himself that he didn't feel the same.

"Why?" I asked in a cracked whisper. Tears started to well in my eyes. He was saying the words I hoped he would have said long ago.

Nick's gaze softened as he noticed the tears brimming in my eyes, regret shadowing his features. "Elaine, I messed up. I was going through some stuff, and I didn't handle it well. You were always so good to me, and I... I let you down," he admitted, his voice tinged with genuine remorse.

I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me - hurt, anger, and a hint of lingering affection that made it all the more confusing.

Looking at him now, his vulnerability on display, memories of our past flashed through my mind.

The late-night conversations, the shared dreams..

. but they were shattered by his sudden departure.

"It hurts, Nick. You left without a word... without an explanation," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as I fought to keep my composure.

He reached out tentatively as if to touch my hand but hesitated, pulling back slightly. "I know I can never make up for what I did to you. But, please give me a chance."

A chance? I felt immense shock from his words.

Nick just showed up out of the blue after ghosting me for months and suddenly wants me back.

Part of me was hesitant, but the other part of me felt an intense longing.

I knew I was dumb for doing this, but I felt so lonely.

Today made me realize that I didn't want to be alone anymore.

"I-I..." I paused, fumbling over my words. "Let's just start as friends." I managed to get out. Was I making a mistake?

Nick's face lit up, and he gave me one of his warm, charming grins.

He was always like a warm ray of sunshine.

Well, until that day everything changed between us.

That day it was like a dark cloud was over him, and his face was lifeless.

I quickly shook my head trying to get my mind off of that memory. This was a new beginning.

"I need to go back inside. Amelia is probably waiting for me." I fumbled out, still feeling awkward about this whole thing.

"Yeah, yeah of course." He said looking down at his feet. Nick then grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'll text you."

"Ok." I gave him a small smile before heading back inside.

I sat down at the table right when Amelia was paying the check.

"Wait- let me pay." I said placing my hand down on the check right before she was going to slide in her card.

"No, it's fine, please just let me get this one." She insisted.

I relented and let her pay for our dinner. We sat awkwardly in silence as we waited for the waiter to bring back the check. Amelia looked a little pissed.

As we exited the diner, I could feel Nick's eyes on me. My anxiety kept me from looking back at him. I really hoped I made the right decision. We finally got to her bright red Honda Pilot and once again sat in silence as she drove off.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, sensing her frustration as she stared off into the distance.

Amelia let out a sigh, her gaze fixing on me. "Elaine, what the hell was that all about? Why did you go outside with him?" Her tone was a mix of concern and reproach.

I bit my lip, feeling guilty for causing her worry. "I just... wanted to hear him out. It's complicated, but we agreed to start as friends," I explained, hoping she would understand.

Her eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "Friends? Elaine, after how he treated you? Are you serious? You should never get back together with an ex. That is like common sense."

The weight of her words hit me like a ton of bricks. Was I really making the right choice by giving Nick another chance? Doubt crept in, but so did a sliver of hope that maybe things could be different this time.

"I don't know, Amelia. I just... felt like I needed to do it," I mumbled, knowing my actions were completely reckless.

Amelia sighed and tightened her grip on the steering wheel. "I'm not supporting your decision, but I'll be here for you. Just remember that he broke your heart once, and he might do it again. She warned.

I kept my mouth shut after that, and we did not talk about Nick again for the rest of the ride to her house.