Post by smile♥ on Sept 5, 2009 1:03:47 GMT -5
"Its only just a little back and forth lately..." -- Hanson 'Georgia'
19
19
No regrets. Justin had always said it. It was like, his philosophy throughout high school, and it was more than obvious that he practiced what he preached back then. And I knew that if I didn't go to dinner with Teddy in Austin, I would regret it. I would always wonder about what might have happened if I did go, or what I would've said or what he would've said.
"Hey Madison," Justin said as he joined me on my bed after a long day at the garage with his brother.
"Hey yourself." I smiled at him as he let out a long sigh. For a day or two, he had been silent and angry, but one night, he suddenly changed. He had told me that if I didn't go, I would regret it.
"Don't you have a date to be getting ready for?"
"I don't know," I said. I had been going back and forth between yes and no all day, even though I had told Teddy I would go with him two days ago.
Justin gave me that look he gave me when I was being this way. "You're going." He said and stood up, pulling me with him. "And you're wearing that dress."
"What dress?" I laughed at him as he pushed me into my closet.
"The one I like," he said, pointing to a black dress with embroidery around the waist and on the shoulders, and three-quarter length sleeves.
"You do know its cold outside, right?"
"So wear a coat." He shrugged as he left the room.
I changed and began working on my hair, making my curls look less frizzy, before doing my make-up and slipping my on a pair of shoes.
"So how do I look?" I asked as I entered the living room, where Justin was watching ESPN. At first, he just looked at me, not saying a word.
"Beautiful," he nearly whispered as he stood and walked to the door with me. "You look beautiful," he said again as he helped me put on a coat.
"Thanks," I smiled and kissed his cheek before leaving the house.
- - - -
"Did I mention I'm glad you finally decided to come with me?" He asked as we waited for our food at a nice Italian restaurant.
I let out a laugh, "Only about five times."
"Sorry," he laughed nervously. "I heard about Emma and Jake. I bet she's excited."
I nodded. "Yeah. What's crazy is they've known each other their whole lives, never dated, and now they're getting married."
"They went on a few dates, though right?"
I nodded. "Yeah, but they were never an official couple or anything." I shrugged.
"So... I just want to say I'm sorry. For everything. I know that it must hurt to be in this situation." I nodded, thinking of Justin. "And Justin too. I'm sure he hates me."
"He was upset, but he told me..."
"No regrets?" Teddy laughed and I nodded.
"How did you know?"
"I've heard him say it before. Plus Tucker used to tell me about the football games and practices and parties and all that. He was always saying it or something like that." I nodded and smiled as I looked away, noticing that same pretty brunette in a red dress sitting just a few tables over. "What's wrong?"
"Huh?" I asked as I turned quickly.
"You got quiet," he said as he looked in the direction I had been looking. "Oh. Brooke."
Brooke perked up when she saw him look her way. She waved and came over to our table, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
"Hey Teddy," she said.
"Brooke, what are you doing here?"
"Well, you told me you were staying in Austin, and I figured I would surprise you tomorrow." Her voice was one of those soft, sweet, prissy voices that made it hard to lie. I wondered if Teddy noticed she was lying.
"Oh, well, Madison and I are on a date," he hinted.
"Oh. Hi, Madison. I'm Brooke," she smiled fakely and held out her hand. "Teddy and I have known each other forever."
"Yeah, we've kind of known each other for a while too."
Her smile faltered for just a split second, just enough for me to notice it. I smiled sweetly back at her to let her know I had noticed. I never would have thought I would be in a one of these who can make who more jealous first wars, but I was sort of liking it.
"Funny, he's never mentioned you," she said, propping her chin on her hand as she looked at me and smiled that fake smile a little more.
I smirked and looked at Teddy who looked like a deer caught in a set of headlights.
"You know... I'm done." I said and stood up. "I'm tired of this. I came here because I thought you were done with this back and forth... nonsense. Every time. Every single time you come around, I put my life on hold. I put Justin on hold. For you, Teddy. For you. Because every time I think something is going to change. That something will be different and you will stay with me. But every time I'm wrong. You leave, and I'm wrong. Why did I think this time would be any different?"
I shook my head as I put my coat on and grabbed my bag off the corner of the chair. "Don't bother calling, ok? Because I'll be moved on."
- - - -
I took a taxi to Teddy's hotel to pick up my car and then began my trip home. I couldn't even bring myself to cry. I was so upset and angry, but I was over it. I was over Teddy.
I heard my phone ringing, but I didn't pick it up. I didn't even look to see who it was, because I just knew it would be him calling to tell me he was sorry. But then it kept ringing. Again and again, changing ringtones to a more familiar one.
"Emma?"
"Hey. Where have you been?" She asked. "Jake and I have been trying to call you."
"I was in Austin on a date with Teddy. But I left early. I'll have to tell you all about it later. But I'm so over it all I can't st-"
"Madison." Emma said, stopping me. "There's been an accident. You need to come to the hospital."
