Ex Best Friend Benefits

Chapter 2: A Heartbreaking Reunion

Throughout that day, I wasn't myself. At first I'd felt a strange excitement at seeing Nate after a long time of not being in contact, admittedly, I'd missed him so much. Then the anger returned, I wanted nothing to do with him.

I really didn't know if we'd talk eventually, but I sure know I won't be the first to do it.

I thought I'd seen Nate in Biology class staring at me but when I looked, he was scribbling into his notes. Possibly some tiny cartoon characters, he always used to do that; sketch mini comics and his story lines were always great. I missed that. I missed him.

Even if I end up not talking to Nate, I don't think I ever would anyway. It's funny, but I feel like he's way out of my league right now, what with the friends he hang out with and his ridiculous good looks now. That wasn't the best friend I knew. He was a whole different person now.

"I'm sure you'll like Aaron." Amber repeated for probably the 10th time today. Aaron was a friend of hers who according to her would definitely be the valedictorian for class.

Aaron likes bunnies, romance films and dark aesthetics. He once sprained his ankle climbing a tree when he was 11. He hates socializing with people and he loves his little sister more than anything in the world.

That was only half of what Amber had told me about Aaron. I'd never even met the guy and I feel like I'd known him since diaper days.

"Did I mention he's ridiculously good looking?" Amber added as she asked with me outside. School was over and it'd honestly gone better than I expected; I didn't even have to introduce myself to the whole class which was the #1 thing I dreaded.

"Yes, you have, like a thousand times." I chuckled. She was adorable.

"It's not like I like him or anything, don't get me wrong." Amber smiled then leaned in closer with a whisper. "I like girls more."

Oh, that definitely was a shock that rendered me almost speechless. "Ah... oh."

She laughed as she leaned back. "I'm not out to a lot of people but you just give off a trust me vibe. I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable with that information?"

I blinked. "Uh, no not at all. Just really sudden." I panicked. "I'm not homophobic or anything if that's what you mean, I–"

"I made you uncomfortable." Amber laughed, pushing some strands of hair behind her ear. "I have the tendency to do that a lot."

I smiled as I looked around the parking lot. My mum wasn't here yet and honestly we didn't discuss whether or not she would come pick me up but I'm counting on that at the moment.

"Ugh, my dad's here." Amber slightly groaned and I followed her line of sight to a red jeep. A heavy man was in the seat and from the look of things he already spotted Amber. "I told him to stop picking me up from senior year, I feel like a child."

"Technically, you are."

Amber gave me the side eyes and I giggled. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

She pushed a piece of paper into my hands. "And Aaron too. I really can't wait for you to meet him."

I looked at the paper and saw a phone number on it. "I can't wait to meet him too."

"That's my number, text me on Whatsapp." She gave a mock salute as she walked backwards. "See you tomorrow, Sarah."

I saluted back. "See you tomorrow."

And then she jogged to the car. I watched her enter the front seat then she looked to me and waved again. I waved back as they drove off.

Huh. Today wasn't bad at all.

Except for the fact that I was currently unsure of what to do with myself. Go home myself or wait for mum? I took out my phone to call her.

The sun was a lot and I couldn't really see the contents of my phone so I looked around for some sort of shelter. I didn't want to have to go back inside the school because apart from Amber, I knew no one. Aargh, I hate being new.

"Sarah?"

My breath hitched.

His voice was completely different from how I'd remembered but I heard him speak earlier today so that voice was definitely Nate's.

I turned and saw him just standing there a little awkwardly. Jesus Christ, the growth spurt that hit this child was intense. And I was out if things to say. Not that I should, he's the one that needs to do all the talking.

"Nathaniel." I said simply, adjusting my backpack straps. Then suddenly I felt so self conscious. Obviously, Nate grew so well, puberty favoring his then scrawny ass. So having him near me made me so conscious of how I appeared to him. He was probably disappointed—

Sarah, what the f**k.

"Long time, damn." Nate said and I narrowed my eyes at him.

Almost five years with no explanation, changed numbers and no attempt to contact me, leaving me all alone to the mercy of that hellhole. And all he had to say was "long time, damn"? This is ridiculous.

I rolled my eyes and walked past him, heading to the bus stop. I'll just go home myself, I had spare cash.

Suddenly, I felt a firm grip on my arm. "Sarah, hey stop. Why're you so rude?"

That was it!

I tore my arm away from him as I circled back on him. "You must be f*****g joking."

He looked genuinely taken aback but recovered quickly, lightly scratching on the bridge of his nose. "You're pissed, huh?"

Honestly this was breaking my heart. It's like he didn't even care at all. Like I was the only one who felt the weight of his sudden departure. Like our friendship never even mattered.

Now I look back at it, did it even? Was I the only one who took that best friend thing seriously? Was I overreacting right now? Was I being heartless? His dad's tragic death definitely influenced his departure but was I so selfish for wanting an explanation? More contact? Was I?

All that anger all these years, I was convinced that I would punch Nate in the face if we ever met again but now I just felt so guilty. But still pissed as hell.

"Nate, hey." It was Tara, she stared at me curiously as she approached. "You're the new girl, right? Saw you earlier with Rosie."

Her smile was kind but I just wanted to punch her. I hated everything and everyone at this moment.

"Yeah, Sarah." I sniffed, horrified that I was actually about to cry.

"I'm Tara." She smiled, holding out a hand. I shook it; it was unbelievably soft. "You know Nate?"

Not this Nate. No, I didn't.

"I don't." I replied as she released my hand. "This is my first time meeting him."

I got a message notification on my phone and I strained my eyes to read the content.

Mum: Look at you already having new friends. I'm waiting!

I looked back and saw my mum's car parked in a row. Then turned back to Tara.

"I have to go, it was nice meeting you."

She smiled, hooking an arm with Nate's. I stared at it a little too long.

"Same, hope we can be friends."

With a tightlip and a nod, I circled towards my mum's car and heard Tara saying "she's nice".

"So?" Mum prompted as I stepped into the car. "How was your first day?"

I sighed. "Not bad."

I felt like screaming into an oasis. Everything was fine until my personal encounter with Nate. Everything was fine.

"Honey, you're crying." Mum sounded startled and honestly I was too. I touched my face and felt it wet.

"I'm fine." My voice cracked as I wiped it off. Why am I like this!? "I really am so let's just go home, mum. Please."

I don't think I was even hurt by the fact that Nate left without a word. What hurt me most right now is that he left like that because I probably actually meant nothing to him.

I really was nothing to him. And hell, that hurts.