Against All Odds - Angel's Story(21)

We stand there for a short time just staring at each other. I don’t like to see the look of disappointment in her eyes. She’s got every right to be disappointed in me, but I still hate it. Eventually she breaks our stare and turns to walk away from me.

I reach out and grab her arm. “Angel, wait.” She doesn’t turn around to face me, but she doesn’t try to walk away either. I hear her sigh heavily. “I’m sorry about what happened yesterday, okay.” She continues with the silent treatment. I hate it. It’s going to kill me to say this, but I need to say it. “Look, if you’re happy with Riley, I’ll back off. Just be careful, okay. I don’t like or trust him.”

I don’t know why I even said anything, I don’t mean a word of it. Sure, I want to see her happy, but not at the hands of that fucker. She’s fucking mine, not his.

She doesn’t answer me. She stays rooted to the spot for a few seconds, before pulling her arm out of my grip and running down the hall. Leaving me standing there, feeling like…I don’t know what the fuck I feel like, but it’s not good. Probably how she felt when I walked out on her.

••••



Angel



As I run away I fight back the tears threatening to fall. Everything in me wanted to turn around and tell him I’m not happy. That he’s the only person I want to be with. In my heart I know Riley is my rebound; my chance to move on. Hopefully the one to help me get over Chase. That may be wrong on my part, but I am trying to make this work. Unfortunately, you can’t control who your heart wants.

I wish things were different between us, but they’re not. That ship has sailed. Chase doesn’t care for me like I care for him. So, there’s no point. I’ve already made a fool of myself where he’s concerned. I’m not about to do it again. Some things are better left unsaid.

I head straight for the ladies’ room. I need to pull myself together before I walk into class. The last thing I want is for Riley to see me upset. I don’t want any more trouble between those two.

••••



By the time Friday night rolls around, I’m over it; over Chase, over Riley. The last thing I feel like doing is going on a date. Dana won’t hear of it though. I call into the coffee shop to see her after Uni. She insists it’ll be good for me. She’s even coming over after work to help me get ready. I think it’s her way of making sure I don’t chicken out of going.

Before she arrives I lay out the clothes I’m going to wear tonight. Nothing too flash, it’s only dinner and the movies. Dana should be here shortly, so I text her before I jump in the shower, letting her know I’ll leave the back sliding glass doors unlocked for her.

I’m not surprised when I get out of the shower and walk back into my room, wrapped in towel, to find her sitting on my bed. She has a huge smile on her face, so I know she’s up to something.

When I look at the clothes I had laid out on my bed, I know why. She’s put away the top and jeans and replaced it with a dress. “I’m not wearing that,” I say. “It’s friggin’ winter. I’ll freeze my butt off.”

“Well that’s what Riley’s for, to warm you up.”

“Thanks, but no thanks,” I reply as I try to snatch up the dress. Dana grabs hold of it before I get a chance.

“You’re wearing this fucking dress and that’s final.” Even though she’s pissing me off, I can’t help but laugh at her.

“I’m not. It’s freezing out and I don’t want Riley to warm me up. I don’t even want to go on this damn date with him.” She sighs at my reply.

“Look babe, how are you ever going to get over that piece of shit if you don’t let anyone else in?”

“He’s not a piece of shit,” I snap.

“Why are you defending him? Look at how he treated you. How he continues to treat you.” I just shrug as I feel tears burn my eyes. Honestly, I can’t even tell you why I’m defending him, because after the way he’s acted, he kind of deserves that title, but, for some reason, I don’t like hearing her talk about him like that.

Dana stands and wraps her arms around me. “You’ve got to let him go,” is all she says. I know she’s right. I do.

“I know,” I say with a sigh. “My head is telling me the same thing. My heart though, is saying something completely different.”

“Moving on is the only way,” she whispers. Sighing, I wipe the stray tear that has fallen from my eye.

“Okay, I’ll wear the damn dress,” I eventually say.