Tidying Up

Abbey knew she shouldn’t have gone. She knew he was going to be there. But of course Mia dragged her out to the party. After the party was over Abbey and Edward were there. Alone. Abbey likes him and she thinks he knows that. Abbey offered to stay because everyone who was there left including Mia and left a huge mess. He allowed her to stay and they cleaned. She thought this was her opportunity to get close with Edward. She didn’t know how but she wasn’t going to let that stop her. Abbey started by asking what kinda is music he likes. Edward told her any type was fine with him. She asked if he wanted to play some music and he nodded his head. Abbey put on what she called her “dancing queen playlist.” It had plenty of upbeat, popular, old, different songs. Edward seemed to like it so she continued to play it. They were cleaning all the red solo cups that got left behind first. They danced their way around the house picking up red solo cups, paper plates and plastic utensils. Abbey and Edward were having so much fun. She asked him if he had a girlfriend because she really never knew. At times Abbey thought he had a girlfriend because he was the varsity football captain. He also hung around Emma Berrywell a lot as well. She was a cheerleader not the captain though. He told her, “I do have a girlfriend but honestly at the moment me and her aren’t on good terms. Can we not talk about her? I was having fun dancing like a fool with you.” She got butterflies when he said he was having fun dancing with HER. She was also a little upset to find out he had a girlfriend. Abbey said, “oh ok I’m sorry I didn’t know, but who is it and what happened?” He sighed and sat down in the dining room, she sat next to him. He started talking slowly and said, “I am dating Emma Berrywell. She is always starting fights with me. I don’t know what I did wrong most of the time. This time she got mad cause I cheated on her in her dream. I told her I would never do that to her and it was only a dream but she didn’t want to believe me. I got her flowers and chocolate and a stuffed animal and she still was mad. I just don’t know what to do. The boys say break up with her since this isn’t the first time she has been mad at me like this. But I do love her and want to stay with her.” Edward buried his face in his hands. Abbey grabbed his hand and said, “Look, I have been there too. (even though she hadn't) I know how hard it is. (even though she doesn’t) Do you think maybe you guys should take a break?” He nodded but couldn’t take his face out of his hands. Abbey told him to call her right now. He finally took his hands off his face and she saw those beautiful blue eyes. His left eye let out a tear and she wiped it away for him. Edward grabbed his phone from his pocket and dialed her number. He put the phone on speaker Emma picked up:

Emma: “Hello?”

Edward: “Hey baby, I need to talk to you.”

Emma: “What do you want? I’m still mad.” 

Edward: “I understand that and that is actually what I’m calling about.”

Emma: “Ugh just say it already, I was busy.”

Edward: “Fine, I think we should take a break because this isn’t healthy.”

Emma: “Um yeah no we are NOT doing that. If you want to take a break then we can break up.”

Edward: “Baby, please I just think we should take a break for a little bit.”

Emma: “You know what, we are done. Don’t call, don’t text. Goodbye Edward for the last time.”

Edward, “Please…”

She hung up before he could get anything else out. He texted her even though she told him not to. He wrote her a paragraph. It wouldn’t deliver. He got visibly upset. Abbey tried to comfort Edward, by saying it will be ok and do you want anything. His response was short and filled with so much hurt on both sides. 

“Her”

This word felt like a knife going into Abbey’s heart. She knew how much this was hurting him but it hurt her so much. She walked into the kitchen and tried not to cry. He walked in about five minutes and saw her with her hands over his face like he had done just a little bit ago. He pulled her hands away and asked her what was wrong she then told him, “look even though you just got out of a relationship this needs to be said. What you said before and wanting her hurt me. The reason it hurt me so damn much is because I LIKE YOU! I wanted what you guys had but with you. I didn’t want to interfere with you guys so I never really talked to you or her. I didn’t want either of you to get mad at me.” At this point she was crying. He pulled her in for a hug, it was the only thing he could do in that moment. She felt so warm and safe in his arms and didn’t want it to end. She couldn’t stop crying. After holding her for about 5 minutes Edward let go and led her to the living room and sat her down. He wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, and ran into the kitchen and grabbed a water bottle and gave it to her. He sat down next to her and let her calm down a bit. When she finally stopped crying he asked her if she was ok. Abbey said that she was fine. He said, “I have something to tell you… even though I just got out of a relationship. I find you very attractive and I was very happy when you offered to stay and help clean up. I don’t know if I will be ready to hop into another relationship but honestly I don’t think I’m going back to her.” Abbey was so happy to hear he liked her too. She told him it was ok that he wasn’t ready to get into a relationship. She honestly didn’t think she was ready. He told her it was fine to go home because there wasn’t much left. She asked if he was sure and he said he was. They exchanged numbers and she left. When she got in her car she didn’t realize how late it was. It was 3:24AM, the party ended at 1:30AM. She couldn't go home now. She was thinking about just sleeping in her car but then thought about how dangerous that might be. She texted Mia and she was awake, she went there. She told her about the whole night and punched her a couple times for leaving. The weekend went by so fast. Abbey was texting Edward all weekend. On Monday she met him at the front of the school and they walked the halls together. Everyone stared at them but they didn't care. Edward invited Abbey over his house after football practice. She agreed and went into 1st period. After school she sat in the football stadium and did her homework. After practice ended she waited for Edward to come back out. He never did, so she went to go look for him. She knew where he parked because she parked a couple spots down. He was there and asked if she was coming. She looked at her car, an old red  ford focus. Then she looked at his light blue 1969 camaro and said that she was coming. They got in and went to his house. After dinner with his parents they went to his room. She stayed there until 9:00PM. She told him she should really get going and he said, “ok, beautiful I will see you tomorrow.” He kissed her cheek and she left. He texted her that  he had a very big surprise tomorrow. Tomorrow when she finally got to school by Mia she went to him. He had a huge sign asking her to prom, and of course she said yes. “That wasn’t the only surprise,” he warned her. After school he asked her to be his girlfriend. Again of course she said yes. They dated for the rest of senior year and were very happy together.