"There's nothing to talk about," I say, my voice shaking slightly.

"Please, Ela."

"No," I reiterate stubbornly. I fight an urge to cry and I take my phone out to distract myself.

"If you're texting Andrew, don't bother. He won't answer."

I look up at him in shock. He merely shrugs like it's no big deal.

"How do you know about him?" I ask, dreading the answer. I haven't told anyone but Jordi about this.

He gives me a pointed look.

"My Andrew is your best friend Andrew?" I ask weakly.

"You are so strong and yet you can't face simple facts." He sighs. He looks dead into my eyes as says the words, "I am Andrew."

"No." I shake my head frantically. 

"You want proof? Text him now."

"I will."

I send Andrew a hi. My heart sinks when I hear a ping of a notification in the room. Adrian holds up his phone and sure enough there it is.

Ela
Hi

"So you have been lying to me," I say, glaring at him through moist eyes. He looks slightly blurry.

"What? No!" He protests. "I wasn't sure about this. I found out recently." 

"Why are you doing this?" I demand. My eyes won't stop watering and I hate it. I wipe my cheeks furiously.

"I really miss you."

"Bullshit."

"And I want to make things right."

"This has to be a joke."

"Eleanor, believe me or not, I do regret what I did."

"What are we talking about, Adrian? Is it about you tossing me aside for new friends, humiliating me in front of them, telling me to fuck off, or not telling me it was you I was talking to when you found out?"

"I've been apologizing for a fucking year, I don't know what else to do!" He raises his voice in exasperation.

"Leave me the fuck alone!" I scream back hoarsely.

"I promised someone I'd get you back," he states.

I know who he promised and that makes my heart hurt even more.

I always piss her off no matter what without even trying to.

I sort of liked her and panicked.

I messed up.

"Promises are meant to be broken," I resist feebly.

"Ela I see it in your eyes that you still feel the same."

"And you still don't," I mumble absent-mindedly. 

He gets up and walks to me, grabbing my shoulders.

"Look at me." He demands. I don't. "Ela, look at me!"

"No."

"I know I hurt you. I see it every day when you look at me. And I'm sorry. Please, love."

"You left me when I needed you," I sob, breaking. "I loved you. You pushed me away, you made fun of my feelings, and then you went on like it didn't mean anything. You left me."

He squats down in front of me, cradling my face. He gently kisses a tear that runs down and that makes me cry even more.

"And I regret it every day. I swear I do." 

I finally gather the courage to look at him in the eyes. They're moist and the haunted look in them sends me over the edge again. He swipes his thumbs over my cheeks soundlessly, looking pained as he does so.

"Why did you do it?" I choke out. "I trusted you."

"I don't know," he whispers.

"I love you," I blurt out since I have nothing to lose. The guy is already seeing me break down over something I should have let go and been over a long time ago. It can't possibly get any worse.

"I do, too. I love you, Ela. I fucking love you, goddammit." He kisses me tenderly. My body doesn't even have to think before it responds. Every ounce of resistance left flies out the window at his touch. My arms automatically wind around his neck and pull him closer. My lips mold around his in a blissfully perfect way. I taste the salty tears and I'm sure he does too but he doesn't seem to mind them.

We break apart shortly.

"I'm so sorry," he mumbles again.

"Me too. Now that I look back, I never gave you a chance to explain yourself," I mutter, my fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.

"I was a colossal jerk," he frowns. "I don't really blame you."

"You're still not off the hook." I narrow my eyes at him.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"As long as we're clear," I say, retracting my hands with effort. I want to stay this way, but it is wrong. I need to think clearly. I've already made two impulsive decisions: tell him I love him and kiss him back.

He leans back and scoots to the wall, catching my drift.

"Aren't our seven minutes over?" I ask, taking out a handkerchief and wiping my face.

"Probably, but they won't bother us. This was a plan."

"What?" I ask in surprise. "Who else knew?"

"Andrew, Jordan, and Molly."

"Holy fuck," I exclaim. 

"You're a hard person to trap so I had to." He smiles faintly.

"Jordan, that bitch."

"She's a convincing actor."

"When did you realize that Annabelle was me?" I change the topic.

"November first."

"That's very specific," I remark. "How?"

"'Annabelle' said she came in late to school that day. I noticed that you came late, too. However, I knew for sure when a few days later you texted me during the storm."

"You remembered."

"Of course. I used to sneak into your room when it happened. I miss that."

"You're not the only one." I finger at the quilt.

"Can we be nice to each other again?" He asks. "I promise I will not mess up again, Ela."

I know I should logically think about this, but I am too vulnerable. I look at his pleading green eyes and melt. How long had I wanted to talk to him properly? How long had I kept staying up at night and reminisce about how we used to be? How long had I tortured myself with the thought that we will never speak again?

It feels like forever even though I know it's only been about two years.

Did I ever stop loving him?

No.

Why?

I have no idea. I just didn't.

Did I want to go back to how we were?

Yes.

He apologized, we kissed and we confessed. I think it's time I let go. It's worth a shot.

"We can try." I smile softly. "I'd love that."

"Me too."

"I feel very overwhelmed. Can we please go what out?" I say.

"Sure." He gets up immediately. I stand up too. He stops with his hand on the doorknob.

"Sit away from Darren, will you?" He requests after a moment of hesitation. I can't help it. I laugh.

"I'll see what I can do." I kiss his cheek.

We'll be okay.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And that's a wrap! I hope you liked this short story😁

Not bad for a dare, right? lol

A very happy friendship day to all of my readers!!💛💛💛

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Until next time, all my love
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