Page 71 of Ours
“Cory, I’m really sorry about yesterday.” Derek stopped in his tracks but kept speaking. “Kicking you out of the car when you were trying to talk to me about…” Derek trailed off, still uncomfortable with the subject matter.
“Yeah, let me know how that feels.” Cory couldn’t help rolling his eyes and kept walking.
“Cory, wait, please.” Derek reached for his shoulder. “I want to talk to you. Really talk, about everything. With youandNic.”
Cory paused his exit at Nic’s name. That might be one way to force him to talk…
“Okay.”
“Thanks.” Derek sighed with relief. “Actually, have you seen him?”
“He’s inside by his locker.” Cory felt a twinge of hurt as he tried to block out his feelings from their earlier conversation.
“Great. I’ll grab him.” Derek nodded. “Meet us in the auditorium in a few minutes?”
“Sure,” Cory answered without looking up. Not like this morning could get much worse.
“Okay, see you there.” Derek looked Cory over. His body language was telling him something was off, but he assumed it was because of what he had said yesterday. Without commenting, he left to go find Nic.
For a brief moment, Cory considered following through with his plan to ditch campus and just leave the two of them there waiting. But, somewhat begrudgingly, he slowly made his way over to the auditorium, shuffling his way through the crowd of faces waiting for classes to start, feeling more alone than ever.
He was there first because of course he was, so he took a seat and waited. That meant he was alone with his thoughts. Did Nicreallynot remember last night? He wasn’t incoherent or anything. And why did he justleavelike that? Wouldn’t he have wondered what was up when he woke up? Why did Cory even care about this? It’s not like Nic was his boyfrie—
The sound of the door opening signaled Derek and Nic’s arrival. Cory turned to face them as they walked in, standing to meet them in front of the stage. The three awkwardly stood in a circle for a few moments before Derek finally broke the silence.
“So,” he started, unsure of just what was going on with his two friends, “things have gotten a littleintenselately.”
Cory snorted at the understatement but said nothing. Nic was mostly looking at his feet, expression blank.
“I’ve been thinking,” Derek continued, “between what went on at school yesterday, and some stuff that happenedafterschool, I think it might be best if we took a break from things for a while.”
Cory rolled his eyes. Of course Derek wanted out. Probably hoped it would just blow over.Fuck that.“So, you—”
“Yeah, man, I’ve been thinking the same thing,” Nic jumped in. “I don’t think any of this stuff has really been for me. I think it’s time to end this little experiment.”
“What?” Cory wasn’t surprised by the words, but they still stung. “Last night you sure seem—”
“Little experiment?” Derek gave Nic side eye. “I was just saying it might be good to back off from things a little and cool—”
“And I’m saying I think you’re right,” Nic countered. “Stuff is getting serious with Amy. School is gonna be over soon. I’ve got better things to worry about than this shit. It’s just giving me a headache. All this was your idea anyway, man. I was never that into it.”
“That is such bull—” Cory again tried to jump in but was again cut off.
“So what, all this is my fault?” Derek sounded offended.
“I mean, I’m not trying to blame anyone for anything but…” Nic shrugged. “Yeah, kinda.”
“What the fu—”
“HEY!” Cory shouted over the two, determined to finally speak. “Do either of you give a fuck about what I think about any of this?”
“Cory, sorry. I’m just trying to—”
“No, you’re doing the exact same shit you always have,” Cory said coldly. “Try to control every little thing about the situation so that it goes exactly the wayyouwant. Without ever actually talking to me about it like a person. Like yourequal. That’s the way it’salwaysbeen with both of you.”
“Wow, really, Cor?” Nic practically sneered. “Don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic?”
“Shut the fuck up Nic, or Iwon’t.” When Nic didn’t open his mouth to respond, Cory hoped he understood his threat.Asshole.“I’m done. With everything. I want out.”
