Moving Forward

Chapter Forty Eight

"So... Did you call him like I said?" Anya asked.

She was busy signing off some files I completed earlier in the day. I tried to bury myself in work as much as I can so Rion would be the furthest from my mind. "No I didn't."

"Mals you can't ignore him forever. It's almost three weeks. You are doing more harm than good."

"I don't care. He needs to sort out his story with that girl."

"But how are you supposed to know if you keep ignoring his calls?"

I shrugged. Really and truly I didn't care. If he did indeed cut those emotional ties with her, then he'll find a way to get to me.

"Have you seen him lately? I saw him yesterday. Maliah he has a beard. A beard!! The guy looks scruffy like he has the world of worries. I had to divert my path just so he couldn't see me."

"Good."

"What? Maliah you're ridiculous. You are pushing him away."

"Anya he's pushing himself away. He allowed her to disrespect me."

Anya rolled her eyes. She didn't get it. She didn't see what I had to put up with on that day. But whatever.

"So what are your plans for the weekend?" She asked, completely changing the topic.

"I want to go to the beach... Maybe Swallows. Haven't been there in a while."

"Oh my God... Look at you," she slapped my arm. "Switching beaches and stuff."

I rolled my eyes.

"I wonder who's responsible for all this independence?" She quirked an eyebrow.

"Oh hush up!"

Anya's boisterous laughter shook the building. When she realized, she cupped her mouth but then released it with hesitation. Mr Blackmon had left earlier the morning and never returned, so she was just fine. I, on the other hand, didn't find pleasure in her jokes.

"The next time I see him I won't be hiding." She said, pointing her finger in the air.

"Fine... Whatever."

By the time I left work, it was already five in the afternoon. My friday nights had returned to its boring old self. No Rion, no chilling, no nothing. My television kept me busy until I dozed off. Even the remote fell from my hand multiple times. My life reminded me of a grandmother with fifty kittens. Why on earth did I get a taste of fun? Why did I have to meet and fall in love with him? Love. Did I really love him? Bah! Life was simpler without him.

When it was almost nine, I dragged my half-dead body towards the room and flopped on the bed.

~~~~~

"Do you want me to pick you up or you'll be fine?" Anya asked as I exited her car.

She was fully dressed in a cute, white peplum top and a matching white jeans. She had an all white event waiting on her. And of course, she invited her new boo to the show. They were going steady and made it official that they were a couple last week. What fun...

"Um... I'll call you if anything. But don't count on it. Enjoy the show for us both."

"Cool!" She revved the engine and gave me a slight wave before hitting the gas.

Beach. Sigh, something about going to the beach now felt incomplete. Like there was something missing. Shaking my head, I made my way towards the small and narrow pathway, and spread my blanket on the sand. It was the second time I'd need on the beach with a good amount of people. The first time I came it wasn't bad-- I thought I would have freaked out. But I didn't.