Chase, College, and Closure

I spent another two days with my parents and Kate. She and I went to see a new movie, and after that, we went bowling. Chase joined us at the last minute. I hadn't laughed that hard in days.

My parents and I had dinner with Kate's family the night before we were leaving for college. I had so much fun at the dinner like I never had before. Mostly it was because Kate tried to cheer me up.

I was hoping for Drew to call me. No, I was sure that he would call me. He didn't, and I felt disappointed. This time I didn't call or write any messages to Logan.

I tried to relax, and with support from my parents, Kate, and even Chase by my side, I was good at it. I made a decision, though.

When I got back to the campus, I was going to find Drew and talk to him. I couldn't continue to go on like this. I wanted to be sure of our relationship.

If he'd say that he had changed his mind and didn't want to be with me, okay, I would cope with it. But I needed closure, not this mess.

On the morning of our departure for college, I tucked my bag into my trunk, and Kate tossed hers and a few boxes inside. Our parents hugged us and wished us luck. Chase came to say goodbye too.

He gave me a small box. Inside was a silver necklace with a small swallow pendant. Immediately, I asked him to help me put it on. His fingers lingered on my neck a little.

He stepped back from me, and when I turned to look at him, he was smiling. I hugged him tight and kissed his cheek. He hugged me back, and we stayed like that for some time.

It was really surprising. When I walked into the bar that night and we met for the third time in our lives, I never thought that Chase would become my friend.

I liked him and was very grateful to fate for bringing him into my life. After I stepped back from him and turned to my car, I saw my mom standing there with pursed lips.

I could see that she didn’t approve of my closeness to Chase, but I honestly didn’t give a damn about it. He was kind to me, and that was enough for me.

Kate and I sat in the car, and I started the engine, driving us off to college. We listened to Shawn Mendes’s songs and sang along with him.

My mood was elevated until I saw Kate glancing in my direction.

“What is it?” I lowered the volume of the music.

“It’s a lovely necklace. Chase likes you.”

“Yeah, it is,” I said as I placed my fingers on the little swallow. “Chase is dear to me. I am lucky to have a friend like him in my life.”

“Only a friend?”

“Yes, if you want to know, he’s my friend. I have a boyfriend, and Chase knows about it. Or I had a boyfriend... I don’t know. But in any case, Chase is leaving for New York. He’s a grown-up man, and he has his needs…”

“So a long-distance relationship with an eighteen-year-old girl like me obviously wouldn’t work.”

“Maybe... Still no signs of Drew?” She looked at me with concern. I had a feeling she was afraid that I would start crying at any moment, which I wouldn’t, no matter what. If my story with Drew ended, so be it. I wouldn’t beg him to stay with me or cry because of him.

“Nope. But it’s okay. Will you go to see Tim?”

“Yes.”

“I will go with you,” I said. “I need to find Drew and talk with the arrogant jerk. I am tired of this and want to deal with it before our classes start.”

“Do you want to break up with him?”

“No. But if he wants that, then okay. More reasons for me to dive deeper into my studies.”

We fell silent after that, but soon enough, we arrived at our dorm. We took our bags and went to our rooms. Lily’s belongings were already there. When I checked my phone, I saw a message from her.

She had gone to see Rob. I could tell she was missing him terribly. I put my clothes in the wardrobe, fixed my makeup, and let down my hair. I was wearing my favorite skinny jeans and a jean shirt.

I put on a black leather jacket and sneakers. With that, I left the room.

Kate was waiting for me beside her door. Nina wasn’t here yet. She was going to arrive late in the evening. I was hoping to see her tomorrow on campus.

I missed her, even though we talked from time to time during the winter break.

“So, where is Tim?” I asked Kate when we exited the dorm.

“At the fraternity house. They arrived not long ago.”

“Okay.”

“What will you do if Drew isn’t in his room?”

“Or isn’t alone.” I corrected her.

“Becca!”

“What? It’s possible,” I said with a shrug.

“So, what will you do?”

“I will tell him that we need to talk about us. It’s simple.”

“You look calm. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I want this to end. To stop the worrying and the doubting. Is that bad?”

“Of course not! What did Logan tell you about Drew? Why didn’t he contact you?”

“I didn’t ask him. I didn’t call Logan.”

“Why? He’s his best friend. He should know something, anything!”

“I didn’t want to involve him. It’s between Drew and me. Logan did more than enough already.”

“If you say so.”

We arrived at the fraternity house, and I felt anxious for the first time that day. Kate looked at me, and I nodded at her. She opened the door and walked inside first. I followed her.

She went to the living room, and I soon heard her laughing. When I looked inside, I saw her in Tim’s arms. I waved at him, and he smiled at me.

I turned to face the stairs, took a deep breath, and started climbing.

With my head held high, I walked to Drew’s room. On my way there, I heard my name and turned around. Logan was standing in front of his door.

He was wearing his bomber jacket and was about to enter his room when he noticed me. Without a second thought, I went to him, stood on my tiptoes, and kissed him on the cheek.

When I stepped back and looked at him, he was grinning from ear to ear.

“Well, hello to you, too, beautiful. What are you doing here?”

“You know, as a hell of a grown-up woman, I decided that I would come here and finally look Drew straight in the eyes and ask him what the hell is going on between us.”

“Wait. What are you talking about? Didn’t he talk with you?”

“No. No calls, no messages. Zero.”

“Motherfucker!” Logan leaned his back on the wall and looked at me sideways. “Becca, I am sorry. I was sure as hell that he would call you…”

“Why are you apologizing for him? It’s not your fault that he didn’t dare to tell me that he doesn’t want to be with me.”

“Becca, I am certain that you’re wrong here. I think he is scared to admit that he needs you.”

“Ha! I will believe it when I hear it. Now, I highly doubt it.”

“He’s not in his room if you are looking for him. We left the house together, but then we went different ways. He said something about the grocery store, but I am not sure.”

“May I wait for him in his room?”

“You could keep me company in mine.”

“No, definitely not. Too tempting. Where is your girlfriend?”

“She will be at the campus around 6 p.m. I will meet with her then.”

“Everything is good?”

“For now, yes. We didn’t see each other for almost a week, we only talked, but I am sure that she missed me.”

“And you?”

“Tricky question. And I think it would be against our rules.”

I stared at him. What did he mean by that? Too complicated. I needed to deal with Drew. That was my priority. I smiled at Logan and turned around.

“See you, Logan.”

“See you, Rebecca.”

I heard him opening and closing his door as I stood before Drew’s room. Well, to hell with that! I am exhausted, and I want answers.

I placed my hand on the doorknob, opened the door, and walked inside.