A/N - Just because this morning's update was a short one...

43

Tell me something from after I left.

This has become our new thing. I read the text and try to think of something I've not already told her, crossing off items on a mental list.

I broke my arm shooting hoops with Emmett.

I still have the hat you left in my car the last time you were in it.

I once sat with Rose and watched Grey's Anatomy episodes back-to-back for three days.

I lived with my dad for six months until he got tired of my pissy moods and threw me out.

I think of something new and type it out.

I hate white lilies since Em died.

I'm sorry, she replies. I'm not dwelling on it now.

Your turn, I urge. It takes a while for her to respond.

I've not had a relationship with a guy since I left Forks.

Given her past, I find this surprising. But then I know responsibility of the short and cute kind has a habit of taking over your life.

I don't reply. Not because I don't want to, but because none of the six or so responses I type in and then delete, seem right. I sigh and drop my phone down next to me. Now I'm worrying how she'll construe my silence, so I pick it up again and decide I'll just move past it.

What are your plans for this evening? I ask.

Watching TV with my dad. Jimmy's already sleeping.

I pause before I reply. Good idea? Bad idea? I silently scold myself for overthinking everything and respond before I change my mind.

Do you want to go for a drive? We could head up to Kalaloch?

I watch the three little circles that tell me she's typing. They disappear and reappear more than once. She's clearly as conflicted as I am. I send another.

Just as friends, I'm not pushing for anything here.

There's no pause this time.

Thank you x

I'll pick you up?

Give me twenty minutes.

~S~