7 Years Later

Part 16 - Present Day

The next day at work, Allison looked tired.

"Are you okay?" I asked her.

"Getting there." she gave me a weak smile, "Matteo told me he called you. I'm okay with that. I'm glad you and him are going to be able to just be around each other. I hope you'll come to the bar this weekend, you can meet my sister."

"I'll come." I said, "Danisha is on vacation, but maybe I'll ask my brother's girlfriend to come with me. We're close."

"That would be great!" Allison said, a spark of her usual self coming back.

Stephanie agreed to go with me on Saturday to the bar.

I was at my moms house on Friday, and she and my brother were there.

"Why are you doing this to yourself?" Garrett asked.

"I'm just trying to be there for Allison. It's the least I can do."

"Uh huh." Garrett rolled his eyes.

"Garrett, stop. Yes, Cassidy. I'll go with you." Stephanie smiled at me. What time should I come to your apartment tomorrow?"

"9 PM." I said, "Thanks, Steph."

I was extra nervous to see Matteo tonight. Now that we established we would be "friendly and civil"- I had no idea how he would act toward me.

Stephanie sat on my bed, in a crop top and jeans. Her auburn hair was in a ponytail, and she had on a lot of sparkly makeup.

Stephanie is a really sweet girl. Her and my brother have been together for 2 years, and she is 24 like him. She works as an office manager at an eye doctor's office.

I was really glad when her and my brother met when she sold him contacts and sunglasses. Garrett dated a girl named Camilla for 2 years before that, and she was extremely toxic.

"How do you feel about seeing Matteo tonight?" she asked me.

"Nervous." I said, "But it's not about him. I'm just there for Allison. It's the least I can do."

Stephanie looked at me. "Do you still love him?"

I stared back at her, "Why are you asking me that?"

"I was just wondering. You don't have to answer it." she said, "Sorry."

"It's fine, Steph." I said, "What should I wear? The red top or the black one?"

"Red. Stand out tonight, Cassidy."

When we got to the bar, Matteo was already there. Raj was as well, and another guy they work with named Derek.

Matteo said hello to me- but he didn't give me a hug or anything. Raj gave me a hug though, and said, "You look beautiful in red, Cassidy!"

"Thank you." I said, "I appreciate it."

I introduced Stephanie to everyone, and a few moments later, Allison came rushing out from behind the bar. She gave me a hug, and Stephanie as well.

Next to her was a girl that looked a lot like her in a black crop top and jeans. She wore glasses, and her hair was dark brown like Allison's, but a lot longer.

"This is my sister, Savannah." Allison said, "Don't mention it to anyone, but she's not 21. I snuck her in."

"That's why I'm drinking a coke." Savannah said.

"Savannah, this is everyone. You know Matteo, we've also got Raj, Derek, Stephanie, and Cassidy."

I wasn't sure if I was seeing things- but I swore Savannah gave me an icy stare.

Savannah started talking to Raj and Matteo, and Stephanie pulled me aside and said into my ear, "Did Savannah give you a look just before?"

I looked at Stephanie, "So I wasn't seeing things."

Eventually, Stephanie and I stood by Savannah, and Stephanie asked her, "What school do you go to?"

"University of Pittsburgh." Savannah said, "I'm studying graphic design."

"That's really cool." I said, "You must be talented."

Savannah just looked at me and said nothing.

Yeah. She hates me.

I saw Matteo glancing at us. He was standing behind Stephanie.

"What do you do for work?" Savannah asked Stephanie.

"I'm an office manager at an eye doctor's office." Stephanie said, "I sell a lot of glasses and contacts."

"Do you like it?" Savannah asked her

"It's fine. I hope to become a regional manager one day." Stephanie said.

Savannah then looked at me and said, "I know you're just a receptionist."

I felt like I had been slapped in the face.

"Excuse me?" I said back to Savannah.

"Yeah, what?" Stephanie said to her, glaring at her.

"What? Am I wrong?" Savannah asked, feigning innocence.

"You're not wrong, but you said it in a demeaning way." I said to Savannah.

"You're just a receptionist. It is demeaning." Savannah said.

I was taken aback by her pure rudeness.

What a b***h.

Matteo made eye contact with me. He then said from behind Savannah, "What did you just say to Cassidy?"

"I was just asking her if she was a receptionist." Savannah said, "That's all."

Matteo looked at me again, and then said to Savannah, "You're not giving her any issues, are you?"

Savannah crossed her arms, "Why should you care, Matteo?"

"Matteo. Savannah was being rude about Cassidy being a receptionist." Stephanie said, and I shot her a grateful glance.

Matteo looked at Savannah and said, "Is that true?"

"Please. What are you going to do Matteo, scold me? You're the one that didn't tell my sister that you dated Cassidy. Don't think I wasn't aware of that. I mean, I can kind of see why you kept her a secret. She's obviously dumb if she's a receptionist at your age, and she's dressed like a slut." Savannah said.

"Hey. That's not cool." Raj said, stepping in.

I felt like I had been slapped in the face.

I looked at Matteo, who looked at me.

"Savannah. You should probably stop talking." Matteo said to her in a tone I hadn't heard before.

"Of course you're sticking up for her!" Savannah said, "You're probably f*****g her too, aren't you?"

"That's enough." Matteo said, "Savannah, you're completely out of f*****g line."

"Bite me." Savannah said to Matteo, who looked like he was going to lose it.

I had to leave the space. I couldn't be around this anymore. Savannah had completely humiliated me, and I never had someone be so rude to my face before.

"You're a complete b***h!" Stephanie said to Savannah- and that's when I slipped away. I weaved through the crowd of people, and went to go stand by my car.

Once again, I was crying.

I am always crying. I'm tired of it.

A few minutes later, I heard footsteps. I thought it was going to be Stephanie, but I looked to see Raj walking toward me.

"Hey." he said, "I saw you walk away."

"You didn't have to come after me." I said to Raj, "That's sweet of you."

"Matteo and Savannah are currently going at it." Raj said, "She really pissed him off."

"I've never had someone be that mean to me." I said to Raj, "Maybe I deserved it."

Raj stood next to me, against my car. "You did not deserve that, Cassidy. Not a single word of it."

"Thanks." I said, sniffling, "I appreciate it."

"Matteo told me that he's your ex. Listen, Allison is a nice girl. Super nice. But I can tell that you're really special, Cassidy." Raj said, looking at me, "I know this situation is probably weird. You're handling it like a champ though."

"I'm out here crying." I said, with a sad laugh.

"Honestly, I probably would be too." Raj said, and I couldn't help but to laugh.

I then saw Matteo walking toward us- and my heart skipped a beat.

When he got up to my car and looked at Raj and said, "Do you mind if I speak to Cassidy?"

"Of course not." Raj sajd, and then he looked at me and said, "Remember everything I said, Cassidy."

As he walked off, I saw Matteo look at him, and then he looked back at me.

"Glad Raj was able to come out and comfort you." he said, an edge to his tone.

"It sounds like you don't mean that." I said to Matteo.

"I don't really know if I do." Matteo said, which took me by surprise. Matteo then took a step closer to me, "I am so sorry about Savannah. I had no idea she was going to be so rude to you. It was unacceptable."

"I guess I understand it." I said.

"No, it was completely misdirected. If she wants to go off on me, I'll take it. But she was terrible to you for no reason." Matteo said, "You didn't deserve this. At all."

I wiped my eyes and said, "Was she wrong, though? I am dumb and don't know what I want to do with my life. And I am dressed kind of slutty."

"Cassidy. You are not dumb. You never have been, you never will be." Matteo said, looking at me.

"You're pretty much the only person that ever made me feel smart." I said, and then I found myself breaking down, crying.

I've missed Matteo. So much.

Before I knew it, Matteo was wrapping his arms around me, pulling me in for a hug.

I wanted to push him away, I should have pushed him away.

But I felt so incredibly safe with his arms around me. I couldn't let go.

"I hate seeing you cry so much." Matteo said, "I'm so sorry I'm doing this to you."

"It's not your fault." I said, "I should be handling this better."

Matteo then gently pulled away and looked at me, "I'm not handling it well either. I promise you that."

I looked into his gorgeous green eyes.

Matteo was looking right back at me. And it reminded me of the looks that he used to give me when we were dating. Full of adoration.

My heart was racing.

Matteo then said, "You don't look slutty, either. You look... radiant."

"Matteo...you can't say that." I said back to him.

Matteo then closed his eyes and said, "f**k. This is so goddamn confusing."

"I think I should go." I said to Matteo, "I'm going to text Stephanie."

"I'll go tell her you want to leave." Matteo said to me, "Just try to relax when you get home the best you can. I'm sorry, again."

"It's okay, Matteo." I said, and he gave me one last look before he started walking away.

A few minutes later, Stephanie came walking toward me.

"Matteo told me you wanted to leave." Stephanie said, "Let's go."

Stephanie and I stopped at Wawa on our way back and we got some candy.

"Sour patch kids can always make me feel better." I said to her.

"I'll stay over tonight if you want me to." Stephanie said, "I kind of don't want you to be alone."

"That's really nice of you." I said to Stephanie, "You sure you don't mind sharing my bed with me?"

Stephanie laughed, "Not at all."

When Stephanie and I got back to my apartment, we are the candy on my bed, washed up, and when I turned out the lights in my bedroom, she was out cold in a few minutes.

I was still up. I couldn't sleep, even though it was after 1 AM.

I had my phone next to my pillow, charging. I heard it vibrate.

Who the hell is texting me this late?

I looked at the message.

Matteo.

The message said: I'm sorry to bother you. I just needed to make sure you're alright.

I texted him back saying: I'm okay. Thanks for checking up.

He immediately texted me back saying: Of course. Try to sleep well.

I didn't text back. I wasn't sure what to say. I did, however, fall asleep shortly after that.