LbA: Maddie

The next almost 3 weeks flew by.  The weekend after the girl's night weekend, I was in Texas, and the weekend after that in Missouri for tennis.  So I was only home Monday evening until early morning Thursday.  My time was dedicated to homework, Maddie, and Chase.  Chase and I were still seeing each other and it was wonderful.  Maddie was not doing as well.  She was still really struggling with her and Gavin's breakup.

Luckily due to my business, I hadn't run into Luke at all.  I had seen Victoria in passing, but it was from a distance and she seemed to be avoiding contact with me, just as much as I was with her.

It was September 26, and my parents' wedding anniversary.  They were going away for the weekend, and since it was my first weekend at home in a few weeks, I had told them I could watch the house and the animals while they were gone.  I took Maddie with me to get away for a bit from campus.

Maddie and I were sipping on cups of Malibu and pineapple, wrapped in blankets on my family's porch, enjoying the dwindling fall weather.  She sighed loudly.

I raised my eyebrow at her, questioning her sigh, non-verbally.

"It's just so peaceful out here.  It helps put things in perspective."  The night was crisp and quiet.  Being in the country, we could clearly see the stars.  And the air was fresh, awakening the senses.

"Yeah, I love coming out here.  Though, I definitely wish I had more time to do it."

Her phone buzzed.  She frowned at it at first, but then her eyebrows raised in surprise.  "Gavin texted me."

I straightened myself up, leaning over to see the phone's screen she was holding out to me.

Hey is all it said.

"Well, that's interesting," I said, sarcastically.

She glared at me momentarily, but her voice was filled with sadness.  "Should I respond?"

"Does it warrant a response?"

"Well, no... but I want to know what he wants!"  She sounded exasperated. 

"Listen, Maddie..." I trailed off, knowing that what I was about to say wasn't going to make her happy.  "You broke up with him.  But, he's making an attempt, no matter how poor of one it is, to get in touch."  My voice softened.  "I know you miss him.  Why don't you text him back?"

"I just don't know what to say... I know I really messed up.  And even if he forgave me and we got back together, will he even be able to look at me the same?"

I shrugged.  "I don't have that answer.  You'll need to talk to him about that.  I wish I did, though."

She slumped back against her chair and tucked her legs under her.  "I think I just want to think this weekend a little more.  Figure out what to say.  Figure out how to tell him I'm sorry."

"Maybe you should let him know that?  So he doesn't think you're ignoring him."

She quickly texted him back, and after showing it to me so I could approve it, she sent it.  The text simply said Hey Gav, I would like to talk next week.  I'm out at Aleah's parents' house, and so would like it to be face to face.  Is that okay?

We went to bed shortly after that.  In the morning, Maddie showed me that he had responded with a simple yes.  She seemed disappointed, but I felt like it was good that he was willing to talk with her.  The rest of the weekend sailed by.

On Monday after practice, I was in the dining commons with some of the tennis girls for dinner.  We had finished up and were heading out when I heard my name being called. I turned to look, but didn't see anyone.  I started walking again and was just about out the door when I felt a hand on my shoulder.  I jumped and started forward, flashing back to Luke grabbing me, but when I turned around, it was Gavin.

He laughed.  "Scare you?"

"Yeah, something like that," I sighed.  "How are you doing?"

He looked tired.  And sad.  He had lost a little weight, and he had bags under his eyes.  "I'm... alright.  I could be doing better, you know?"

"Yeah, I do." 

"Uh, is it okay if we go somewhere and talk?  Do you have time?"  We stood there awkwardly.  I was unsure how to respond.  I didn't know how Maddie would feel about me talking to her now ex-boyfriend.

I figured he just wanted to see how she was doing.  "I suppose."

We decided to go to the library, got in our cars and drove there.  Walking in, we made small talk about how tennis was so far, and about the football team's victory over Illinois a few days before.

When we sat down at a table in the back, Gavin didn't waste time getting to his point.  "How is Maddie?"

"She's okay.  Aren't you supposed to be talking soon?"  I didn't want to give anything away.  I wasn't even sure exactly what Maddie planned on saying to him.

"Yeah.  Tomorrow."  He nervously twiddled his thumbs.  "I miss her a lot."  He genuinely looked devastated.  His eyes conveyed sadness, but even deeper they looked... anxious?

"You know, Gavin, I honestly don't know what she's planning on saying to you.  But I do know she misses you, too."

He didn't appear to even hear what I said as he started talking again, "You know, I wasn't trying to neglect her.  I wasn't even busy.  I was avoiding Maddie."

I squinted at him in disbelief.  "What?  Why?"

He looked down at his hands, which were still fidgety.  "I couldn't be around her too much."

I shook my head.  "Um, Gavin, what did you do?"  I know I sounded accusatory, but I was about to jump over this table at him if he had done anything to hurt one of my best friends. 

He unhooked his hands and stuffed his hands in his jean pockets.  "I thought I was going to burst at the seams and ruin it."  When he brought his hands back out, he was holding a little box in one, that was opened to reveal a ring.