25.
"So, what's new with you?" I ask, trying to diffuse the tension that's surrounding us.
"Um, not much actually. I, uh, moved out of our apartment too, two months ago," he says. "I couldn't afford it alone and I couldn't find a new roommate."
"I see," I answer. I knew ahead of time that he couldn't afford it alone, but I figured there'd be tons of people lining up to live with him.
Interesting.
"What about you? Anything new with you?"
"Not really." I don't bring up Garrett again, especially since it's not a topic I want to share with him. Besides I like Garrett too much to drag him into this weird conversation.
Awkward silence follows , until he breaks it again.
"What are you doing for the holidays this year?"
"I'm going home," I answer. "Garrett's sister just had a new baby so he's going home to his family and that kind of screwed up our initial plans of him coming home with me." I mentally kick myself and apologize to Garrett for dragging him into this anyway, pretty much like a shield.
It's obvious from the look on Edward's face that he doesn't like that.
"So… It's serious then, huh?"
"Well, yeah," I say. I leave out that I think he's more serious about it than I am, but I'm still trying every day. It doesn't help that the person I love with all my heart is now sitting across from me, talking to me.
Hearing his voice again brings back so many memories. I'm not sure if I'm happy with this development, but I also don't want to be rude.
However, I think I've been polite long enough. I drink the last sip of my coffee before throwing away the plastic cup in the bin behind me. Then, I stand up.
"I really have to go."
"Oh, okay." Edward's disappointment is more than obvious. "See you around?"
"Sure," I say before hightailing out of there.
I want to wish you all a joyful New Year's Eve and I'll see you in 2013 :)