In record tempo, I'd packed up all my things and ran a brush through my knotted hair. The after-glow from our night filled with physical activities had long gone, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. I knew I should regret what had happened, but I didn't. I was glad, thankful that I'd had this experience. That I'd been given the opportunity to feel what it could really be like with someone. It made me realize all the more how wrong my relationship with Mike had been from the very beginning. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, calling myself an idiot for running from a real connection with someone, but I had no desire to have the dreaded 'what are we' talk. I put my hair into a messy bun and straightened my posture before walking out of the room to face Edward.
He was sitting in his kitchen, a giant mug of coffee in his hands. He didn't look particularly tired, though there was something in his eyes that I couldn't quite put my finger on.
"I'm sorry for what I said. I shouldn't have, and I didn't mean it," I caved. He just looked so… sad and I couldn't bear it.
"No, you were right. This was a mistake."
His words felt like a dagger through the heart, his eyes dark and angry.
"I didn't say this was a mistake," I motioned between the two of us.
"Well, I said it," Edward spat at me, twisting the knife painfully.
"I mean, we're still friends right?"
I felt silly, like some kind of child on the playground.
"You're the one who wants to leave," he shrugged.
"Edward, you're not exactly stopping me."
I bit my lip, angry at myself for feeling that I needed Edward's validation.
"Let's meet again when the time is right, B."
His words rang in my head like an echo all throughout my drive over to mom's, where I wiped my tears away after I'd parked my car.
