Shopping



Will had decided to stop by the local grocery store to pick up a few things before heading to Michael's apartment to try and reason with Sydney.

He ran his ATM card through the machine as the cashier finished ringing up his groceries. He looked to his left and saw Sydney and Michael come up behind him with a nearly full cart.

Will's eyes locked onto Sydney's for several seconds as they remembered everything they had together.

Michael interrupted the moment by slipping an arm around Sydney's waist. Will was certain he saw Sydney shudder at Michael's touch and for a brief instant considered punching his lights out. Instead, as the cashier handed him his receipt, he narrowed his eyes at Sydney and shook his head in disgust.

Sydney bowed her head and quickly wiped away a tear. Michael squeezed her shoulder and she shuddered again. She looked up to see Will leave the store and inhaled sharply.

A few minutes later, Sydney and Michael were walking out to the parking lot with Sydney in the lead, her arms crossed over her chest.

Michael opened the trunk and began to put the bags inside. Sydney leaned against the car waiting for the sound of the trunk lid so she would know when he had finished.

I think I'm going to walk for a while, Sydney announced, turning on her heel to walk away.

It's two miles, Michael informed her.

Not to Will's.

It's fine, Sydney insisted as she continued to walk. I just need to clear my head.

All right, said Michael as he opened the car door. See you later.

Yeah right, Sydney muttered under her breath.

A few minutes had passed and she was well on her way to Will's house. She knew she could be there sooner if she ran as it was less than a mile away, but she decided she needed to collect her thoughts. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her coat and walked with her head down towards Will's.

She heard thunder overhead and decided to jog the rest of the way to try and beat the rain.

She didn't.

When she arrived at Will's front door, she was almost completely soaked. She knocked on the door and, after about a minute, Will opened it.

We need to talk, she said quickly.

Will frowned a little and leaned against the doorframe. I always did like the drowned rat' look.

I'm serious, Sydney told him, her eyes widening. We really need to talk.

Without saying a word, Will stepped back and Sydney came inside. He looked across the street before he closed the door. So uh, I take it Michael didn't come with you.

N-no, he didn't. We got to the parking lot of the store and I told him I wanted to walk for a while, she explained.



Sydney sighed heavily. Why did we break up?

Will shrugged and shook his head. I honestly don't know.

More importantly, Sydney continued, what convinced you to go call Jenny and then sleep with her less than an hour after we broke up?

We didn't actually have sex, Will told her.

Sydney arched an eyebrow. Then why did you say you did?

I honestly thought we had. I mean, I had been drinking, and we evidently did something because I woke up in bed naked with her next to me. He sighed a little. Then you came in and all I could think about was trying to find an explanation so that maybe we could pick up where we left off and forget our pathetic reasoning for the break-up.

So then— Sydney began. How did you find out?

Jenny told me. I was so disgusted with myself and her that I threw her clothes at her and told her to get out. That was when she told me.

Sydney bit her lip, you were naked. That means you were planning on doing something...

Jenny said that after I drank the champagne—she had a whopping one glass, by the way—that we started making out, and then we undressed, and then I passed out, Will explained.

Sydney crossed her arms over her chest and paced. Why didn't you tell me?

I tried! Will insisted. I called Michael and he said you weren't there. I called after you left the second time because I assumed that since he was a friend and you guys had been spending a ton of time together anyway, that he'd be the first person you'd go see.

Sydney started, when I was over there, the phone rang and he went to answer it, and when he came back he said it was a wrong number.

Will scoffed. Well, either it was a wrong number, or he was lying through his teeth because he wanted to be with you so badly.

Sydney frowned a little, as if hurt that Will would say something that cruel.

Frankly, I don't doubt the latter option, he told her.

Sydney nodded and stared at the floor.

So you were over there— Will began.

Sydney's stomach lurched.

Oh God no I'm going to have to tell him.

—what did you do? Talk or something?

Um, yeah, we talked. We talked a lot, Sydney said quickly, avoiding his eyes.

But you guys didn't—I mean—you wouldn't have... Will trailed off, suddenly feeling nervous.

Tears spilled out of Sydney's eyes.

Jesus Christ, you did then. Will paced. How could you do that? he asked angrily.

Sydney inhaled sharply. Look, all right, I came back here to reconcile with you and I found you in bed with someone else. For all I knew—and judging by what you told me that night—you had already moved on. What the hell was I supposed to do? Just mope forever or wait until you apologized? I admit that it was stupid that I did it to get back at you, but my God, I honestly believed that our relationship was dead.

I guess you're right, Will admitted. But I still can't get over that. I mean, you—in bed—with—him—of all people. The image—argh. Will paced, clearly disgusted with what Sydney had done. Was he good? he asked suddenly.

Sydney asked, taken aback.

Was he good? Will repeated.

I-I-I couldn't even—er—enjoy it because I was thinking about you and us, and our future—if there was any—and, I don't know, she said, shaking her head.

Will asked, cocking his head to one side.

Sydney nodded. She felt her eyes tearing up. I love you so much, she choked out. She put a hand to her face to wipe her eyes.

Will stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Sydney. He held her tight and she rested her head on his shoulder. I love you too, he whispered.