【 3 】

There were a lot of painfully, awkward moments today that I wish I could forget…but standing face-to-face with Mary-Louise after I impulsively kissed her (ex)girlfriend in the middle of the track field not too long ago takes the cake. At least to me it does.

She eyed me with an unpleasant frown. Was she going to yell at me, attempt to scratch my eyes out…Hell, dump my body somewhere it could never be found?

Yeah, I was being slightly dramatic but Mary-Louise was crazy jealous and everyone knew it. Fuck, why did I kiss Nora…?

Yellow-painted nails snapped in front of my face loudly. I blinked, refocusing on the blonde, whom's frown only deepened.

What?'

'You almost made me drop my phone, Bennett.' She sneers at me.

I cocked a brow, frowning at her tone. 'It was clearly an accident. We both ran into each other.'

'Perhaps, take care in watching where you're going next time.'

My brows drew together, 'from behind a closed door?'

She glared at me hard, before pushing past me, grumbling a 'whatever.' As she went.

I let out an annoyed breath. God, she was such a bitch. She literally acts like this whole school-

Wait.

There was no yelling.

No eye scratching.

No slut-shaming insults hurled at me, coated with a sharp British accent…

She didn't know?

She didn't know.

I figured someone would have seen and immediately sent it through the gossip train. Maybe, our only witness was Coach, whom I'm sure could careless about the latest student drama. Oh, there was Elena.

She wouldn't tell but she's gotta be confused..on so many fucking levels. How did she get my letter!? How do I even explain my letter? I can't write it off as a joke.

…Can I?

My brain quickly reminded me of all the intimate and personal things I wrote, effectively killing off that idea.

And how am I supposed to explain kissing Nora?

Nora doesn't even know why I kissed Nora.

Ugh, this is such a mess.

:::

For the rest of the day, I had effectively avoided running into Nora, Elena and Mary-Louise again. It took a bit of effort as Elena had been trying to actively get in contact with me all day. I ended up turning my phone off. I felt bad about it, but what was I supposed to say to her?

Hiding out at my house or the Grill was a no-go, as she would easily find me there. I figured the diner a little further in town would be safe. I can't remember the few kids from school that actually frequent here, but thankfully Elena wasn't one of them.

'What can I get you, sweetheart?'

I gave the waitress quick, small smile. 'Um, just an ice tea is fine.'

'Make that two iced teas, but please hold any and all sugar for me.' A unmistakable voice said from behind me. I turned just to see Nora sliding into the booth chair in front of me with a small smile. She met my eyes briefly before turning her attention to the waitress.

'So just a plain iced tea, for you then, hun?'

'Yes, please, thank you.'

The blonde scooped up my menu with a bright smile. 'Alright, I'll be right back with your drinks.' Leaving Nora and I in silence. I stared at her confused.

She glanced at me before averting her eyes to the stray napkin on the table in front of her. She began to absentmindedly play with. She cleared her throat. 'You know, after being in the states for almost ten years you'd think I'd be partial to sweet tea by now. But it still makes me gag a little.' She chuckled somewhat nervously.

I stared at her. 'Nora, what are you doing here?

'I, um, was taking a bit of a drive and saw your car in the parking lot.' She pushed some hair behind her ear. 'Thought I'd pop in and say hello.'

'Oh.' I said quietly, still confused. We weren't exactly friends, why would she 'pop in' to say hey? Especially, after my surprise kiss attack from earlier.

'I, uh, didn't know you came here.' She said just as quietly.

'I don't..usually.' I offered awkwardly.

'I'm really sorry. I panicked and needed for someone to see me kiss you-'

She held her hand up to stop my ongoing. 'Someone? Who?'

I inhaled, not able to think of a good lie or reason to find one. 'Elena…'

Her eyes widened slightly. 'You're brother's ex-girlfriend, Elena Gilbert?'

I narrowed my eyes unconsciously. 'My best friend, Elena Gilbert.' Why does everyone forget that part?

'Right, her, she was there. That's what this is all about then?'

I sighed, looking down at my drink. 'Look, I didn't mean to drag you into this…I just needed to look like there was something with you-'

'Because you have something with her…?'

I shook my head immediately. 'No, there's absolutely nothing going on between Elena and I.'

Nora seemed to become more confused by the minute, it would be kind of cute, if this whole situation wasn't mortifying. 'So if there's nothing between you two, then why did you kiss me in front of her? Why make her think we have a thing?'

'She…she got this letter that I wrote to her-'

Her brows rose. 'Letter? Like the one I got?'

I nodded mutely.

'Is this, like, a thing you do? Go around handing out love letters to potential suitors or suitresses in this case.' She teased, but I could see the genuine curiosity in her eyes.

'No, I'm not some weirdo.' I blush slightly at her penetrating gaze. 'None of those letters were meant to see the light of day. Ever.'

'So what happened?'

I sighed. 'I'm still trying to figure that out.'

Nora stared at me thoughtfully, before clearing her throat. 'So what are you going to do about this whole Elena business?'

I shrugged, glancing out the window. 'I don't know, homeschool? Move? Fade into obscurity.'

Nora shook her head in amusement, chuckling softly. 'She's your best friend, remember?'

'My best friend who I have a massive crush on and y'know just got out of a relationship with my older brother. Who just happens to be my other best friend.'

'So you writing that letter translates to having a massive crush on her?'

I blush, not responding. I don't even know how to respond to that. Why did I even say that?

'Then, does that mean the letter you wrote me..'

My eyes widened, beginning to feel immediately uncomfortable with the potential direction of this conversation. 'T-that letter was not supposed to be delivered to you. Like at all. It wasn't even supposed to see the light of day. It was just silliness.'

She tilted her head, seeming to quietly analyze me. 'But you wrote it to me, yes?'

I shifted in my seat. 'I mean, yes, I wrote the letter but it was from a while ago.'

'Did you mean the things you said?'

I averted my eyes. 'Does it matter?'

Nora seemed to nod to herself, before glancing up at me again. 'Since there aren't any feelings here, perhaps, we can help each other with our similar issue.'

My head tilted. 'What issue is that?'

'Well, we both have a girl in our life that we want to convince we've moved on from, why not do it together?'

I couldn't help but ask, 'And have you? Moved on from her?'

Nora arched a brow at me. 'Does it matter?' she asked, echoing my words from earlier.

I smiled at her quick wit, one of the things that made me fall for her once upon a time ago. 'I guess not'

'Good.' She smiled, arching her brow. 'So are you in?'

I bit my lip in contemplation. Am I in?

Or am I about to make a huge mistake?