A/N: Hey, Hey Guys! Sorry about the long delay, things sort of got in the way... Including a nasty case of writers block. I'm trying to work my way through it right now, so any ideas are welcome. Just a quick update. Hope you all enjoy!
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Disclaimer: I own nothing except the OC's. CM Punk still eludes me. Damn. One day... One day, he and Johnny Depp will be mine!
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Chapter 19: I Have Enough Friends
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I sipped my tea as I stared over the rim of the cup at the dark haired man across from me. Phil and I had been sat in the diner for approximately twenty minutes, and other than a few words about ordering our food we hadn't spoken. He caught me staring at him, and gave me an awkward smile as I set down my cup. He opened his mouth to speak but the waitress arrived with our food. After she had left I looked to Phil, hoping he would finish what he was about to start but he seemed to be more interested with his cheese burger. I began picking at my fries while we sat in silence.
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When I had had my fill of fries I lifted my bacon burger, taking a huge bite.
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"I'm sorry."
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Unlucky for me that's when Phil decided to start a conversation.
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"I really am Scarlett."
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I swallowed the food in my mouth before I replied.
"Huh?" I asked confused.
"Just walking out like that. I shouldn't have done that."
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I put my burger down on the plate and focused my eyes on him.
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"You were upset, you had every right to."
"Not to leave you like that, I didn't even let you explain anything. I just stormed out of there and left you crying in the hallway."
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I averted my eyes as he reminded me of my humiliating breakdown in the hallway.
"It's fine."
"No it's not." He said reaching across to place his hand on mine. "I was a dick and I'm sorry."
"Phil, really. It's fine. You reacted in a perfectly reasonable way. I don't hold that against you. I would have done the same. So you can forget about it." I gave a small smile.
"Good, I'm glad. So, how are you?" He asked.
"I'm good." I lied, "You?"
"Same."
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After a few moments of silence he spoke again.
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"Is it just me or does this feel a little..."
"Awkward?" I finished for him.
"Yeah." He smiled.
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After that we fell back into our usual easy conversation, all awkwardness seemed to be removed, just by acknowledging there was some to begin with.
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We finished our meals, I reached for my purse but was stopped by Phil. He smiled and paid for both and we made our way outside. We drove back to the hotel laughing and making fun of the guy on the radio who talked the biggest load of bullshit. It felt nice.
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Phil walked me to my room. We stood outside the door.
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"Thanks for dinner, I had a laugh, it was fun."
"You're welcome. I enjoyed myself." He smiled and leaned in for a hug.
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I rested my head on his chest and took in his scent. I had missed his touch over our time apart. I had missed every little thing about him and right now I felt like I was complete again as I closed my eyes and let my body mould perfectly into his.
"I'm so glad we can still be friends. You mean so much to me Scarlett."
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At those words my eyes shot open.
Friends?
I felt a stabbing pain in my chest as we pulled apart but managed to keep myself composed.
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I looked into his beautiful hazel eyes.
"Ditto." I forced myself to smile, "You can't get rid of me that easy, Punk."
"Good. I wouldn't want to."
'Pity the same couldn't be said about your heart.' I thought.
"I don't think I could imagine my life without you in it." He smiled.
'I can't imagine your arms without me in them.'
"Me neither."
"So, friends?" He put out his hand.
'I have enough friends.'
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I looked at his hand before smiling and shaking it.
"Friends." I replied as my heart shattered into a million tiny pieces.
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We said goodnight and I entered my hotel room and closed the door behind me. I dropped my bag to the floor, then I dropped to my knees beside it. I let the tears fall, I didn't bother fighting them as they streamed down my cheeks and gathered at my chin before falling on to the beige carpet.
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That was it.
We were finished.
Just like that, everything we had shared, everything we had been through over the past year, the highs, the lows, the laughter, the tears, all gone. He didn't even fight for us, didn't even give me a second chance, he just tossed our love aside like it never mattered. I clutched my chest as my heart began to crumble.
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I knew in the back of my mind that Phil wasn't being callous, or malicious, I knew what we had did matter and that he did love me, once.
But in my heart broken state I began to question everything.
If he really did love me, wouldn't he have at least tried to give us another go, not just give up completely?
Was I just something to pass the time while he sought out something better?
Maybe while I had been head over heels for him, he wasn't about me and I was so wrapped up in my little bubble of happiness that I never noticed the lack of reciprocation.
I didn't know. All I knew was that at this very moment I was a broken woman.
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A few hours later, after a long soak in the tub and a small bottle of Jack Daniel's from the mini-bar, I felt better. Well, maybe not better but I was feeling more numb now to the pain in my chest. I was no longer crying, I was no longer laying on the floor in the foetal position like a crazy person. I was fresh and clean, dressed in my dressing gown sitting on the big double bed by myself.
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I glanced at the clock on the table again. God, I was bored. I needed to keep my mind active in case I reverted back to the babbling mess from before. I quickly moved from the bed to my case and ripped it open. I pulled out a pair of yoga pants and a purple tank top. I quickly changed and pulled on my trainers before grabbing my bag, throwing towel into it and lifting my key card and hoodie, I exited the room.
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I arrived at the gym, it was practically empty, not surprising for 11pm. I opened a locker, placing my bag inside and removing my iPod. I headed straight for the treadmill, a good run usually made me feel better. I started out easy, working my way up, I was beginning to relax, my mind focusing on the job at hand til my iPod played a familiar song. As The Runaway's blasted through my ears, tears began to build in my eyes.
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"I'm Your Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch Cherry Bomb!"
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I ripped the ear phones from my ears and threw them to the ground, I pressed hard on the speed button, increasing it as much as I could. I kept running and running, my legs burning as my feet pounded on the treadmill, the aching in my chest reminding me of my heart ache with each throb. I ran faster, hoping that I could escape the pain, even for a brief moment, that I could just forget about it and pretend everything was like it was before.
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As I ran I didn't even notice the tears streaming down my face of the sobs I was making, until the treadmill came to a stop. I tripped over my own feet, stumbling and sending myself to the ground. Before my behind made contact with the floor, a pair of arms grabbed me, bring me back on balance. I looked up at the concerned face and before I knew it I was throwing myself in to his arms as I wept openly.
"It's over, he really doesn't love me any more." I cried.
"It's Ok Scarlett."
"No, it's not, Ted. I've lost him."
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Ted pulled me close and held me as I shook in his arms.
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Ted took me back to my room, we spent the rest of the night talking. He listened to me break my heart, he listened as I told him how much it hurt, how much I hated myself for all the mistakes I made, for losing the man I loved. I was in such a state that Ted made me drink a glass of brandy just to calm myself down.
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The next morning I woke up feeling marginally better. I had slept for a few hours, so I was still exhausted. I showered and changed before packing my case and going to reception to check out.
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"Hey, you feeling better today?" Ted's voice spoke softly behind me. I turned to face him.
"Yeah, thanks for last night. You're a good big brother." I smiled softly.
"Gotta look after my baby sister." He winked. "You want to ride to Phoenix with us?"
"Thanks, but no. I'm not going to Phoenix."
"But sweetie the show is in Phoenix tonight." He said with a look of sympathy.
"I know that Ted, jeez, I haven't gone completely mental. I'm just not going-"
"Scarlett, please think about this." Ted said grabbing me by the shoulders and taking me aside. "I know you're hurting right now but you could lose your job if you no-show. Don't throw away everything you've worked hard for..." Ted said cutting me off.
"Whoa there Ted. I appreciate the pep talk but if you'd let me finish... I'm not going to Phoenix because I've been given some time off, remember I injured my hand? I'm going to recuperate and let it heal, and do a bit more training. So, don't worry about me. You're baby sister hasn't gone cuckoo yet."
"Oh, yeah sorry. I forgot." He smiled sheepishly, an embarrassed flush upon his cheeks.
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We bid each other goodbye before Ted left with Cody in tow and I ordered a cab to the airport. Maybe some time away from the road and certain people would help clear my mind. I'm sure after a few weeks away and some 'me time', I'll be in a better frame of mind. Phil, who?
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Thanks for reading.
Don't forget to review!
Roxxi =)
