When I woke up again, it was already noon the next day.
Claire had spent the night railing against Cole, and now she had gone to work.
Looking at the dozen unanswered calls from Cole on my phone, I sighed and dialed back.
It took a while, but he finally answered.
“Where are you, my mom’s coming tonight, I’ll come pick you up.”
I was speechless.
Was he pretending nothing had happened?
Did he just ignore the breakup message I sent yesterday, or did he not get the hint?
I thought he was calling to explain, but instead, he wanted me to accompany his mom.
“Summer, can you hear me? Where are you? I can come pick you up now.”
“Cole, we’re broken up.”
There was silence for several seconds.
“Just because I didn’t have dinner with you yesterday? Didn’t I tell you, Nadia was unwell. I had to take her home. That’s why I was delayed.”
“Yes, I know.”
“If it’s about Nadia, you know, she’s the face of the studio, we can’t land those big contracts without her.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Summer, I’ve told you, don’t threaten a breakup just to get attention.”
“No, I’m not just looking for attention. I’m serious about breaking up.”
My unexpectedly calm tone seemed to surprise Cole.
He softened.
“Stop it. I know you’re the most sensible. How about we go to that restaurant after I send my mom off tonight?”
“Cole, let Nadia accompany your mom, since she’s always been the one she thought more suitable for you.”
I didn’t wait for his reply and hung up.
Claire, who had returned at some point, looked at me with an expression that said “you finally got it”.
Looking at each other, both with dark circles under our eyes, we shared a laugh.
Claire wrapped her arm around me, beginning to plan my newfound single life.
“Class reunion, want to go?”
I hesitated.
I hadn’t progressed in life these past years and was afraid to face my old classmates. Seeing my hesitation, Claire started to brainwash me.
After an hour of persuasive talk, I nodded.
“Summer, you might not know this,” Claire chuckled, giving me a playful poke in the waist. “Jason Clark, remember him? Almost your boyfriend back in the day? He just asked me if you were going.”
