THREE MONTHS LATER
"Hey Mora!" I hear Ross as I walk into the garage. I've only seen him once in the last few months, and he was hanging out with my dad.
Once I see him, I run up to give him a hug. "Hey." His hair is grown out, and he looks a little thicker. It's crazy what a couple months do to someone you haven't seen. He's in an old high school hoody, and jogger sweats. I'm surprised at how happy I am to see him. I hug him tightly.
"I've missed you Mor." He keeps me in his arms swaying me side to side, and I can't help but laugh.
"Ross, you've been a block from me this entire time, and haven't even come to see me."
"Sorry. School is kicking my ass, and when I'm not at school or doing homework I've been working, and hanging out with Sophie. I've just been busy." He admits and I can't help but feel a little sting. I always thought that no matter what was going on, that he would always be a part of my life. I guess I'm a little jealous that Sophie gets all of his time.
"Whatever!" I respond sarcastically, and he winks at me.
"Don't hate me Andrews. I can't handle that." and we both laugh. After I let him go I go and pull down the tailgate of a truck that is sitting in the garage, and Ross follows me and sits down. "What are you up to this weekend?" he casually asks.
"I don't know. Probably hanging out with Scarlett, or Aiden." I admit, as Ross kicks his feet back and forth under the tailgate.
"Are you not going to Conner's first game?" he asks. Crap... I totally forgot it was his game this weekend.
"Oh yeah. I didn't realize it was this weekend."
"Yep, that's why I'm here. I was going to see if your dad wanted to ride with me, but he said that he's riding with Lorene. Hey, is Lorene your dad's new girlfriend?" His eyebrows rise as he asks.
"No. I mean, I don't think so. Do you think so?" I ask. We've all thought it once or twice.
"Umm yeah." he widens his eyes, and smiles before changing the subject back to the game. "Well you and Scarlett should ride with me. I don't want to ride all the way down there by myself."
"I honestly can't believe that Scarlett didn't remind me."
"Honestly, me either, and usually Conner asks about her when I talk to him, but the last few times he hasn't. Did something happen with them two?" I never thought about it, but Scarlett hasn't asked me much about Conner either. I wonder if something did happen and they didn't tell us.
"I have no idea." I admit "but yes, I'll ride down with you, and I'll ask Scarlett tonight." I jump down and rub the dust off my butt as Ross closes the tailgate.
"Cool, well just text me. Since the game is at six I was planning on leaving around eleven or noon so we can get there a couple hours early to find a good parking spot."
"Okay. Sounds good." I say, and he walks out of the garage throwing up a peace sign behind him. I'm glad that we're going to get to hangout again.
After dinner, and a shower I call Scarlett. "Hey." I say after she answers the phone.
"Hey. What's up?"
"Why didn't you remind me of the game tomorrow?" I ask, fishing for more answers why she and Conner have been acting so weird.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I honestly didn't think about it either. Are you going?" she ask, and I'm surprised at how stupid that question is.
"Um, yeah. Aren't you?"
"I don't know. I'll have to ask my parents if I can go." she claims, and I'm so confused. Usually Scarlett is so excited to see Conner. I can't believe she hasn't even cared enough to ask her parents. Something must be up.
"Scarlett, is everything okay with you two?" I ask.
"Yeah, I've just been so busy is all, and forgot." her response is short, and I get an uneasy feeling that she's hiding something from me. I've been so involved with Aiden that I haven't even noticed what might be happening with Scarlett. I just hope everything is okay with them because early last month we decided that both of us were going to A&M in Corpus with my brother. That would throw a wrench in things if she ends up going somewhere else. I can't picture going to college without Scarlett.
"Are you sure everything is okay?" I try to dig for more information, but she shuts me down.
"Yes. Everything is fine." she sighs. I can tell she doesn't want to talk about it, so I drop it.
"Okay. Well ask your parents, and let me know as soon as you can."
"Okay. I'll text you in a few minutes."
"Okay. Bye." I say, and hang up the phone. Shortly after I hear my phone buzz, and it's Aiden.
Hey what r u doing?
After I read it I decide to just call him.
"Hello." he answers, and I can tell he's wondering why I'm calling instead of texting him.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Laying in bed. What are you doing?" he asks.
"Laying in bed too." and I giggle in the phone. "What are you doing tomorrow?" I ask him as I roll over to face the other direction because my side is getting numb.
"I don't know. I thought maybe we could go to a movie or something if you aren't busy."
"Well, actually I am a little busy." I say slowly.
"Oh yeah?" he's asking, and I'm hesitant to answer, and I'm not sure why.
"Conner's first game is tomorrow, and I totally forgot. I have to go."
"Oh." he says, and it sounds like relief coming from him, so I decide to tell him.
"and I told Ross that I would ride with him." and I stop breathing for a moment waiting on him to say something.
"Ross is going?" his voice is hard, and low.
"Yeah, he actually was at the shop today talking to my dad, and he doesn't want to drive there alone, so he asked if Scarlett and I would ride down there with him."
"So Scarlett is going with you two?"
"Yes." even though I'm not sure if she's going.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner that you were going?"
"I honestly didn't know I was going until today. I forgot that it was his first game, and I can't miss it because he would be so mad." I admit.
"Why don't you guys just ride with your dad?"
"Because Ross doesn't want to be stuck there without a ride, but he doesn't want to ride by himself either." I admit, but he doesn't say anything for a long minute. "Are you okay?" I break his silence.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes babe, I'm cool." His voice is lighter than before and I let out a breath of relief.
"Good. Well, I'm about to get some sleep, I just wanted to talk to you. Do you want me to text you in the morning when I leave?" I ask him, because I can tell that he doesn't want to talk anymore.
"Yeah. Good night." he answers me, and before I can say good night back he hangs up. I think about calling him back because I don't want to hang up if he's mad at me, but before I can dial him back Scarlett texts me.
I can't go. :(
That's all she has to say is she can't go... why is she being so short with me. I decide to call her, but she doesn't answer, so I text her back.
What is going on with you and Conner?
Something must have happened with the two of them because it takes her about fifteen minutes before she responds to me.
Conner broke up with me, and before you call me let me just explain. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. He asked me not to because he wants to tell you face to face. It happened two weeks ago. I know I didn't tell you, and I'm sorry. I didn't want you to worry about me. I hope that this doesn't cause issues between you and I because I honestly can't handle that right now.
Shock fills me once I finish reading her text. I can't believe they broke up and neither of them told me. This can't be possible. They have always been so in love with each other. I just want to talk to her, but she won't answer my calls.
Scarlett, I'm so sorry & I don't know what's going on, but please talk to me. PLEASE.
Mora, I'm just not ready to talk about it yet. I love you, and I promise it has nothing to do with you or anything, but can we just talk about it when you get back? On Monday okay, and please don't tell Conner tonight. He's going to talk to you when you get down there this weekend.
Okay... I love you too, & I'm sorry I haven't been there for you. If I would have known... I don't know what to really say. I'm just so sorry.
It's ok Mor. <3
Why are they being so awkward about it... why would she be so worried about him being upset with her telling me if he's the one that dumped her, and why does he want to tell me face to face?
Even though Scarlett asked me not to say anything, I can't help it. I text Conner.
Tomorrow you owe me an explanation. I'm so serious! Night!
I keep the sentence close ended so he won't respond, and turn my phone off before I turn out my lights and fall asleep.