Seb looked at Emily and burst out laughing. “Ooh, we’re still maintaining the streak. Nothing has changed,” he said.
“Emily?” Jason said.
“Yes, Jason,” Emily asked, hoping he wouldn’t drop more truth bombs to embarrass Emily more.
“I don't think I believe in energy anymore,” he said earnestly.
“I hope there's some context to it, or it's just weird,” Seb commented.
Emily gave a withering look to Seb. “It's ok, maybe you should stop pretending that you do,” she said to Jason.
“You play football, right?” Jason looked at Seb.
“Yes, state champions, baby,” Seb said with all the excitement of a jock.
“Maybe I like football,” he said, looking at Emily.
“Sure, buddy,” she said. “It'll be better than the woo-woo, for sure,” she muttered.
Seb looked at her and Jason alternatively with a weird expression as they approached Jason's house in comfortable silence. They successfully deposited Jason in the care of his roommate.
When they walked out together, things were suddenly awkward again, as if Jason was single-handedly keeping all of it at bay.
“I'll walk you home,” Seb offered gallantly.
“No, you don't have to,” Emily hesitated. What was scarier, the walk alone or the sheer awkwardness threatening to suffocate them? Emily had mace, so she chose to walk alone.
“Em, it's okay. It's a long way. I'll walk you. Stop being weird,” Seb said, walking towards her apartment.
“You stop being weird,” she said, walking faster to catch up with him.
“How about we both stop being weird,” he offered.
“Okay, deal,” she said.
“Perfect,” he said.
Then, the awkward silence was back again. But Emily didn't let it take over this time. It was time she went back to being the mature, confronting person she was for a couple of minutes an hour ago.
"Seb, I'm sorry,” she said, breathing out.
Seb stopped in his tracks, so Emily stopped and faced him, too. "For what?' he asked.
"For avoiding you. I thought I'd text you after a couple of months, but then that date got postponed, and then I just never got around to doing it,” Emily mumbled.
"For two years?” Seb asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I mean, it's just been one year, nine months, so,” Emily said.
Suddenly, Seb turned and started walking again, a little faster than before, forcing Emily to quicken her steps to keep up.
"Well, I'm sorry too,” he said calmly. His tone did not match his speed.
"For what?” Emily asked, almost running now. She was glad she believed in comfortable shoes.
“I should have texted you once I knew you were probably ready to get back in touch," he said.
“There’s no possible way you would have known when that was,” she pointed out.
