Chase sounded three knocks on the door. He ran his hand nervously through his hair one last time, he took a deep cleansing breath in an attempt to settle himself down, it didn't work. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable around Mia, he enjoyed being around her, but he wasn't the smoothest or calmest person when it came to dates.
A giddy Mia Riemer swung open the door, a huge smile was painted on her face, a sparkling purple dress enveloped her figure.
"Hey stranger, you lost?" Mia playfully questioned.
"Nope I'm looking for one Mia Riemer"
"Well you got her, ready for some sushi?"
"I'm always ready, are you ready for our date?"
"Nope, give me like 45 minutes to freshen up" She joked.
Chase laughed.
"C'mon you look great" He grabbed her hand and led her away.
"If you say so!"
Zoey knocked on James's door, a hint of nervousness sat in her stomach. James slowly opened the door.
"Hey, come on in"
"I thought we were going out for supper?"
"We are, but nothing wrong with some drinks before we go."
Zoey Looked a little puzzled, but awed at the sight of a cute table supporting candles and punch.
James pulled out a chair for her, and then he grabbed a seat.
"Bet no dudes done this for you before." He said with a wide grin.
"You got me there, this is pretty unique" they both smiled and both took long sips of their drinks.
Chase and Mia had been enjoying their conversation for about two hours as they talked about school, friends, college, memories, politics, history, and literature. Mia knew she wanted to talk about a certain individual, but was working up the courage. Finally, when the conversation had met a lull, she steered the conversation towards her question.
"So Chase, there's something we need to talk about."
"There is?"
"Yes... Zoey, look I'm not into playing games Chase, I've obviously heard a lot about you two, I mean good grief, you and her are like a celebrity couple here at P.C.A. everyone knows and has something to say about you two. And I'm pretty sure I know what's going on, but I want to hear it from you."
"Hmm… a bit random, but I can understand why you are asking. I did like her ever since her first day at P.C.A. and we became best friends and spent a lot of time together. So people were always suspicious of me and her and what exactly was going on. That explains our "celebrity status relationship". But Last year she finally found out that I was in love with her, and she told me she felt the same way, but because I had to spend a semester away from P.C.A. we decided to put off our relationship until I got back.
Chase gave a quick pause, Mia's silence prompted Chase to continue.
I learned later that she met James, and they started dating like a week later, which I did not know about when I got back. She broke it off with him the day I got back, so we started dating, but she never told me about dating James, and the first day of this year, I found a necklace in Zoey's room that James gave to her which stated his love for her. It sucked to find out that way, the fact that she would hide this information from me and the fact that she would date another guy a week after telling me she loved me. Whether I liked it or not, things changed after that, she was a different person to me, so we broke up, which sucked, but this morning we were able to repair our friendship. We have moved on."
Mia sat there intently listening.
"I appreciate the explanation, but Chase, are you really over her?"
Chases head tilted in confusion.
"Ya… I am… I mean it's not the easiest situation but I'm over her, do you not think that I am?"
"Chase, if your situation is anything like a situation I experienced, you are not over her. Anyone you would chase for four years is someone who you don't ever fully get over, and you my friend don't seem to be anywhere close to being over her."
Chase was surprised with the bold accusations Mia was making.
"I am over her Mia trust me, and what do you mean by, if your situation is anything like my situation."
"Because I've been through a very similar situation… in fact it's the reason I transferred to P.C.A."
Chase was curious as to what she could be talking about.
"Care to explain?"
"Alright, well me and this guy were very close, practically best friends, but we were always confused about how we felt towards each other, we finally went for it, and dated for a couple of months and then things just broke down... I don't really want to go into much detail… but we agreed to be friends… but it was very hard, so we looked to date other people so that we wouldn't ever have to wonder about the other person still wanting to date, and we both hoped our feelings would disappear for each other. But when you're only dating just to get over someone you love and so you can have a comfortable friendship with them, it never turns out well. And Chase I believe that's exactly what you are doing... right this very second."
Chase grew a little uncomfortable with the accusation.
"So you think I'm only dating you, so I can hopefully get over Zoey, and have a friendship with her?"
"Chase, trust me I'm not mad, I don't have much reason to be, considering I did the exact same thing… but Chase don't run from your feelings it never helps anything, your anger may cover up your feelings for now, but they can't do that forever."
Chase was lost in thought, he gave out a deep sigh.
"You're right… I'm so sorry, I thought if I dated someone else it would help me and Zoey's friendship to get back to normal, which it did… but you seem to think I'm still in love with her, that's not true."
"Don't be sorry, like I said I did the same thing… But Chase, you won't ever be happy with just being best friends with her… I mean one of the biggest reasons you spent so much time with her is because you loved her… because you love her, like I said, your anger can't hide your feelings forever."
"So you're saying I have to date her or not be friends with her, that's the only way I will be happy?"
"I'm saying you won't ever be truly happy as long as you're just her friend. There are two options that can bring you inner peace… date her… or remove yourself out of her life in order to move on from her… and just being her friend will not allow you to move on, it sounds harsh but trust me it's the only way."
Chase had a sudden epiphany.
"Wait, so is that why you are here at PCA?"
"Yes… it is. I couldn't take it anymore, a relationship wouldn't work with the guy I loved and dating other guys to try to get over him, so we could have a normal friendship wouldn't work… so I removed myself from the situation. It was downright unhealthy, I mean I was too young to be in that much pain for another person, granted I loved him but it still it wasn't worth having my future negatively affected because of him. So I made the hardest decision I've ever had to make... and I transferred.
"Wow that must be so tough… I'm sorry, wait, is that what you think I should do?"
"Well Chase, if you ever want this to be resolved I believe you only have two options, date her… or remove yourself from her life, it hurts trust me, but time heals all wounds and in the end it's worth it.
"Wow, I mean I've tried to take myself out of Zoey's life and it only hurt and made me miserable."
"I don't think you did Chase, c'mon face it, you tried to date me to make her jealous, so your friendship wouldn't be weird, and to hopefully have the feelings for her dissolve."
"Man you sure are a knowledgeable girl."
"Experience is a great teacher, and Chase that's the thing about love, how it's sold is a lie it's not this crazy feeling you get when you see them, although that is a part of it. True love is based on a choice on a mindset true love is a selfless love that happens when you truly fall in love with the person, and not in love with the feelings that person brings you. You see Chase, true love is desiring what's best for the person you love, no matter what the cost."
"Mia, your right about why I wanted to date you… that much is true, but this idea that I am still in love with her is not true."
Mia gave a slow smile.
"Love is blinding but so is anger."
"Zoey... Zoey..."
James slowly shook Zoey awake.
Zoey's eyes snapped open, confusion stung her consciousness.
"What… was I sleeping, where am I?"
James laughed.
"Everything is fine, you're on my couch, after drinks you were saying how tired you were, so I told you to take a quick nap."
Zoey glanced at the clock, 7:49 it read, she wiped sleep from her eyes.
"Sorry about that"
James smiled.
"No problem, so you still up for sushi Rox?"
"Ya, I'm starved, but I probably look like a wreck"
Zoey walked towards a mirror, but James pulled her toward the door with force.
He smiled.
"Don't worry, you look beautiful."
Zoey smiled, she tried to wake herself up. As James led her towards Sushi Rox.
"So you are convinced that I will only every be truly happy if I'm dating Zoey or I move on from her? Something that could only be accomplished by removing myself from her life?"
"Yes… if you want to be truly happy those are the options. I know it may sound crazy, but look back to all the time you have spent together, can you look me in the eyes and tell me you were truly satisfied being friends with her?"
Chase was quick to answer.
"Of course not, I wanted more, I wanted so much more."
Chase was sure to emphasise the past tense.
"Do you think that feeling just magically goes away?"
"Clearly it has… we are friends now."
"Chase, clearly you want to keep believing that, and that's ok, but just because you are mad at someone doesn't mean you stop loving them."
"I'm not mad at her, we are friends and tha-"
Chase's sentence was stopped cold at the sight of Zoey entering Sushi Rox, a gentle smile stretched on her face, she was wearing a beautiful red dress. She spotted him and flashed a smile, he gave her a nod and a grin. His smile suddenly ceased, old anger and pain reared its ugly head, a sudden rush of rage made his world spin.
"Mia, let me take you back to your room."
"Is something wrong?" Mia questioned.
Chase gave no response, as he handed her, her coat.
Mia confusingly stepped towards the door, she exchanged quick smiles with Jame and Zoey who looked for an open table.
Chase pushed past both of them, not exchanging any pleasantries.
James didn't even notice, but Zoey did. She frowned in disappointment, was Chase that mad that she was dating James? Finally, the realization hit her hard, her eyes widened.
"Oh my God... James we need to talk in private… now"
James flashed a confused frown.
Chase and Mia walked in silence, a silence that Mia decided to break.
"I get it Chase… it's hard to see them together, it's ok."
Chase had no response, his posture stung with pain.
Mia continued.
"Although I think you have your answer on how you truly feel about her."
Chase couldn't keep his silence up any longer, anger inspired his words.
"Ya know, you think you have all the answers, but you don't, just because our situations are similar doesn't mean they are the same, my anger has nothing to do with James and Zoey dating, I knew they were dating, that's not what the problem is, it's the betrayal I just experienced."
Mia was confused.
"Betrayal? From me… or Zoey?"
Chase took a deep breath, he closed his eyes regretfully.
"It doesn't matter right now, I'm sorry I don't mean to take this out on you."
"Chase…" Mia placed a comforting arm on his shoulder.
"Are you going to be ok Chase?"
Chase lifted his eyes, to hers.
"I'll be fine, thanks for tonight, I had a good time, you are a great friend."
"It was fun, have a good night Chase." Mia embraced him in front of her door, before Chase slowly walked away.
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