Only Love

Chapter 7

The next day, I wake up with tears in my eyes when I remember that yesterday was real. We're actually broken up. I wish that I can say it's a dream. Today, I don't have to go to class. I don't have class until tomorrow so I can do anything. I get ready and take my time applying my makeup. It's going to reach the high eighties so I don't do too much. I throw on a hat before I step out.
I spend the day exploring the campus, mainly hanging out in the library and other random buildings. Jonah comes out of a classroom and approaches me. He sits down beside me.
"Hey," he says.
"Hey."
"How's your day going?"
"It could be better. I talked to my girlfriend yesterday and now she's my ex."
"I'm sorry. I didn't say it to break you guys up."
"No, you were right. I can't date her and get with other people at the same time. I'd never do that to anyone. It's just a rough period right now."
He nods.
"How did she react?"
"She was very civil about the whole thing. She said that I should take the time that I need and let her know what happens. She'll still be around if I choose to be with her."
"That's a relief. I'm glad that she wasn't really rude."
"She's not like that. I just hate having to go through a breakup."
"I know. It'll be okay."
"Thank you."
He smiles.
"I have one more class then I'm free for the day. Do you want to hang out afterwards?"
"Sure."
"Cool. We'll go get lunch."
"Great. I didn't have any classes today. That's why I'm just chilling here."
"Sure you were," he teases.
I chuckle.
"Get to class."
"I'm going. I'll see you later. We can meet at the main plaza."
"You got it."
He stands up and heads for the stairwell at the end of the hallway. I continue to hang out in this spot until I have to meet him. He greets me with a smile. I can't help but smile back. We're about to head to the parking lot when my phone rings. I look at the screen and saw that it's Desiree. I groan.
"What's up?" He asks.
"Keri must've told our friends about the breakup. One of them is calling me."
"You can answer it. I don't mind."
"It's not that. I kind of want some time to myself before I talk to everyone. I've only told a few people."
"Let it go to voicemail then," he suggests.
"No. Desiree isn't the kind of person who takes that lightly."
I pick up the phone and answer it.
"Hello," I say.
"Hey. How was your first day yesterday?"
"It was pretty rough. Did you not talk to Keri?"
"No. I haven't really gotten the chance to talk to anyone until now. You're the only one who answered."
"Oh okay."
"Why? What happened with Keri?"
"We broke up."
"Please tell me that you're kidding."
"I wish I was."
"What happened?"
"A friend helped me to realize that I still have some questions about my sexuality. I don't know if I'm gay or bi or whatever else. I can't figure that out if I'm in a relationship. She understood that."
"Damn. I thought that we're going to be dancing at your wedding in a few years."
"Hey, you still might be. I don't know. I just need to figure out who I am first."
"I understand that. I'm doing the same thing but in a different way. I decided to stay single while I'm in nursing school. That means no guys at all."
"Wow. You're really taking this seriously, huh?"
"Absolutely. I'm not going to let a guy distract me from living my life. I did a little too much of that in high school."
"Good for you. You're a badass woman who doesn't need a man right now anyway."
"Thank you. That's the vibe that I'm trying to give off."
"Of course. You're the only one of our friend group that knows about the breakup. I'll tell Adam and Heather but not until later."
"I get it. I won't tell anybody. It's still crazy to think that you're not together anymore."
"I know. That's why I'm mostly keeping it to myself for now."
"I understand. Maybe it's just for the time being like you said. I'm looking forward to being a bridesmaid."
"You say that now. You'll change your mind when Keri makes you wear a puffy green dress."
"Oh god. She will, won't she? Well, I love you both so I'll still do it."
"I love you too."
"I'm here for you. You know that, right? Even though I'm nowhere near Texas."
"I know. I appreciate it."
"Okay. I'll let you go. It was good to get a chance to talk."
"Same here. Goodbye."
I hang up and put my phone away. Jonah looks at me.
"Is everything okay?" He asks.
"Yeah. She's shocked but still supportive."
"That's good. How do you think your other friends will react?"
"I don't know. My guy friend Adam is like our number one supporter. He's probably gonna freak. And our other friend Heather has her own problems so this will just be the cherry on top."
He reaches for my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. I smile a little. The rest of me registers that he's basically holding my hand. It doesn't feel terrible; it's just sudden. He drops his hand after a second. We make it to his car.
"Just so you know, this isn't mine. We have to be extremely careful," he says.
"No. You have to be extremely careful. You're the one that's behind the wheel," I joke.
"Wow. You're already the worst copilot and we haven't even left."
I shrug.
"I'm not sorry."
I get into the passenger seat and buckle up. He carefully drives out of the parking lot. We stop at a Mexican restaurant for lunch. I'm not surprised that it's busy being that it's almost one. It's the kind of place where you seat yourself so we sit down at a booth. The waitress brings us fresh tortilla chips along with two different kinds of salsa. We place our order when she returns and snack on the chips.
"What's your favorite color?" He asks randomly.
"It changes."
"What is it right now?"
"I'd say green."
"That's a solid choice."
"Why'd you ask me that?"
"We're still getting to know each other."
"That's fair. What's yours?"
"Maroon."
"That's also solid."
"I'm glad you approve."
"Mhm."
"What's your favorite movie?"
"E.T."
"Really? I mean, it's not a bad movie. I just wasn't expecting that."
"Yeah. My dad and I share a love for classic movies and I have to say that's my favorite. It stands out for different reasons."
"That's really cool. My dad's the same way about old cars."
"So, he likes to fix them up?"
"Yup. He's a mechanic. It's not like he goes out and buys a hundred cars to fix up. He obviously does it for a profit."
"That's cool. What about your mom?"
"She's an entrepreneur. She runs her own bakery."
"You're kidding."
"No," he says with confusion.
"It just sounds too good to be true. It sounds like your parents are both doing well for themselves."
"They work hard for their money. I've always admired that about them. And they do have four kids to take care of."
"Four?"
"Me, my twin brother and sister, and our Havenese Lola."
I laugh.
"Your dog is one of the kids?"
"She's a puppy so yes. She's very much like a kid."
"How old are the twins?"
"Five."
"Wow."
"I know. It's such a big gap, right? My parents didn't really plan to have more kids after me. It just happened."
"Why not?"
"I don't really feel comfortable sharing that right now."
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to pry."
"You didn't. It's just really personal."
"Okay. I won't ask about it again."
"You can. It's just not something that I want to share this early in our friendship."
"You say that like we'll be friends for years."
"I don't know about years but I do want to be friends with you."
I smile.
"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
He smiles and we clink our glasses together before drinking from them.