Right person, wrong time

40

Nate's POV

I take a deep breath and knock on the door. Colby opens it and takes me in. 

"Uh, hey man. What's up?" he asks.

"I, um, I came to apologize.

"You already did," he says. 

"I wanted to apologize in person. Can I come in?"

He closes the door behind him, coming out into the hallway with me.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"Um, Alex is here," he says. 

"Oh," I say. 

"I wasn't sure if you wanted to see him. or him you," he says. 

"He's-s here? Is he okay?" 

"He's upset but-" he says. 

"Because of me?" 

He doesn't say anything.

"I have to see him," I say, starting to walk to the door.

"Nate, wait."

"What?? Don't try to keep me from him. If he's upset, I need to be there," I say, opening the door and bursting in. "Alex, baby. I'm here, I-"

"Don't Nate," Alex says, interrupting me. 

"Alex-" 

"Please just leave me alone," he says. 

"Alex, it was just a fight. We can get through this."

"It was too soon. Moving in," he says. 

"I thought you wanted to," I say. 

"I felt pressured," he says. 

"I didn't pressure you! I gave you the chance to say no. You said you wanted to! I asked if you were sure!"

"You were freaking out. I didn't know what to do," he says. 

"I would've preferred the truth," I say. 

"I'm sorry." 

"Next time just tell me the truth!" I shout. 

"Okay, Nate take a breath. He's already upset," Colby says. 

"And I'm not?" I say, my voice raising to a shout again. 

"Nate, I just-" 

"Just what Alex?!" 

"You sprung this on me. I need time to think. We just started dating not long ago," Alex says. 

"I know. That's why I tried to take it back," I say. "I'm sorry, I'll go." I leave the apartment but Alex follows me out. 

"Nate, hold on."

He pulls me in for a hug.

"Alex-"

"Look, I know we have a lot to work through. I don't want to lose you and that's why I'm upset," he says. 

"Okay."

"Nate-"

"I heard you. What more do you want?" 

"For you not to push me away," he says. 

"And I want to take back what I said. But we can't have everything," I say. 

"Nate, don't do this." 

Alex's POV

"I can't keep going back and forth with you. Just let me walk away," he says. 

"No!" I shout, grabbing his hand. 

"Alex, let me go. Please." 

"I can't lose you Nate." 

But he walks away and I head back into my apartment. 

"What happened?" Colby asks. 

"I tried to talk but he left-t" I stutter out. "I'm going to lose him." 

"You know Nate. He probably just needs space," Colby says. 

"Yeah I guess." 

Three hours later

Sam and Colby have left and I'm alone in my apartment. And I haven't heard from Nate at all. But I don't want to fight so I can't call or text him. 

One hour later

My phone buzzes, startling me out of my trance. 

N: hi

A: hello

N: are you mad?

A: I'm pissed

N: do you hate me?

A: no, but I'm not happy with you

N: I'm sorry

N: I love you 

A: I know

N: don't you love me?

A: I'm not saying it when I'm angry

N: What can I do? or say?

A: you shouldn't have walked away

N: are you going to break up with me? 

A: I don't know right now