“I’m glad you did,” Elias replies, his own smile warm but somehow…hesitant.
I sigh, feeling a little unsure of how to make the next move.Elias is handsome, thoughtful, and I know I could see myself with him if I just gave him a real chance.Gathering my nerves, I lean in slowly, but he gently stops me, his hands holding me at arm’s length.
“Cam, wait,” he says softly.
I pull back, instantly feeling embarrassed.What was I thinking?He’s probably not even interested.“Sorry… I didn’t mean to—” I mumble, looking down, suddenly wishing I’d just gone straight inside.
Elias clears his throat, and when I look up, he has a sympathetic expression.“There’s something I need to tell you.”
I nod, feeling a mix of curiosity and dread.
“I had a really amazing time with you tonight, Cam.You’re… honestly one of the best guys I’ve met,” he says, then pauses.“But… I’m actually dating someone.”
Oh.I feel the sting of disappointment.
Elias sighs, continuing, “I should’ve told you sooner.We’ve had a rough patch, and that was why I left school.We weren’t actually on a break; I was avoiding him.I wanted space to figure things out.And then I met you, and you made things feel easy and good, like… like maybe we’d met at the wrong time.”He looks at me earnestly.“Last night, he called, apologized, and… we’re working things out.I’m really sorry, Cam.If things were different, I would’ve loved to see where this could go.”
I sit there, processing everything, my heart sinking.So, all those moments, the glances, the flirting—were they just distractions for him?A way to fill a void?I feel a wave of frustration, then a sense of foolishness for letting myself get swept up.
“So, was I just… something to pass the time?Were you using me to forget him, or maybe even to make him jealous?”
Elias shakes his head quickly.“It wasn’t like that, Cam.I genuinely like you.And I’d really like for us to still be friends.”
Friend-zoned.Great.
28
The Invitation
“Isitokaytofeel like total shit after getting friend-zoned?”I mumble, pulling my sleeves over my fingers as if that could hide my embarrassment.
It’s been a week since Elias and I went on that so-called date.A week since he friend-zoned me.Maybe I shouldn’t feel this frustrated, but I can’t help it.All those times he flirted, gave me signals—I thought he liked me.I was even ready to try with him, especially since Fox is always such a nightmare to deal with.But it was all a lie.I was just a distraction to him, someone to forget his ex with, and that hurt more than I care to admit.Is he really any better than Fox?Speaking of Fox, he’s been avoiding the apartment since that night.At first, I thought something might be wrong, but I saw him around campus, totally fine.He’s just avoiding me again, as usual.
That little shit.
Every time he hurts me with his words, which always comes right after he kisses me, he runs from the apartment and then avoids me like the plague.I should hate him by now, but it’s impossible.No matter how harsh or offensive he gets, I just can’t bring myself to hate Fox.He’s become a part of me, and I hate that as much as I hate him.
I sigh, taking a long sip of my coffee.It’s mid-afternoon, and we’re in a cafe near campus, talking about everything while waiting for our next class.
“There’s nothing wrong with feeling like shit after being friend-zoned.Elias is an ass,” Landon says, sipping his milkshake.
“And a jerk.I thought he liked you too,” Nat chimes in.I roll my eyes, setting my cup down.
“He was always so flirty, so touchy, all those weird mixed signals,” I mutter, clenching my fists in frustration.
“That’s the problem with nerdy guys.Don’t trust their sweet words and kind smiles,” Landon teases, holding his hands up as I glare at him.
“Has he even called you?”Nat asks.
“Yeah, he tried for the first few days, but I ignored his calls.He texted too, but I couldn’t bring myself to reply.I’m still hurt,” I admit, tugging my sleeves tighter around my fingers.“I never thought friend-zoning could feel this awful.”
“Me neither,” Landon says, shrugging.
“I think we all get friend-zoned at least once in our lifetime,” Nat sighs, stealing Landon’s milkshake.
“Shit,” I say with a scoff.“I’m gonna die single, aren’t I?”
“Come on, don’t say that,” Landon says.
