It doesn't make sense to let go of something you had for a long time, but it also doesn't make sense to keep holding on when there's actually nothing there.

Chapter Five: More than you can imagine.

Charlotte's POV

"You're the main reason I'm back." His words echoed in my head. "You're the main reason I'm back."

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

"Huh?" I asked.

"Char, I came back to make amends."

Oh... Of course. What was I thinking?

He continued. "Please Char. I'm not asking you for forgiveness. Because I know I dont deserve it. There is no justification for leaving your best friend without a word. I would hate me too. But I am asking for another chance to make things right. Please let me. I promise to make it up to you."

Damn right I hate you. Now I'm not even angry anymore. But you will work for it.

"Why? So you can leave again with the hottest girl in town and forget about me? So history can repeat itself? Maybe next time, You won't come running back to me just because she broke your heart and banged her boss."

Ooh. I knew I hit a nerve because he flinched. Hurt evident in his eyes. He buried his face in his palms, probably to hide the hurt from me. Too late.

"I'm sorry Daniel. I...it came out wrong." I sat next to him on couch and gathered him in my arms. He felt so good.

"It's fine. You're right anyway, I'm a failure."

"No you're not and don't you ever think that. Abby is a bitch for leaving you. For even thinking about it. You are awesome Danny and any girl would kill to date you. Not to talk of being your wife. Just say the word and I'll go right this minute and beat two shits into her. Nobody messes with my best friend." I meant that. And besides, I've always wanted to beat her like crazy.

Daniel lifted up his face to level with mine. We were so close, I could feel the heat of his breath on my face. "Thanks Char but I don't think beating her to a pulp is gonna change anything. Thanks for the offer anyway." He smiled.

God I loved it when he smiled.

"Okay."

"So does this mean we're okay?" He asked hopefully.

I was about to say no but my stupid tongue beat me to it. "Yeah. Totally."

What?

He hugged me immediately the words bounced out of my mouth. “Thank you, Char, I promise you won't regret it. I promise. I'd do anything."

"Anything?" I asked, pulling away.

He nodded.

"I'll hold you to that." I said with a smile. I could already think of a few things.

"I miss you." He said, looking so sincere.

"I miss you too." More than you can imagine.

"You should also know I have a new best friend. Her name's Cat."

"Ah! You replaced me? That hurts." He placed his hands on his chest and feigned hurt.

"What? You were gone eight years. I needed someone to talk to and besides we met in college. I was hoping we could all be best friends though she hates your guts."

"Why?" He asked.

I looked down. "Well I kinda told her about everything with you." I was playing with the hem of my sweatshirt. It was so awkward.

"Oh." was all he managed to say.

"Yeah, and you should probably stay five kilometers away from her because you have a very good chance of losing your balls."

"Do I really want to know what my balls have to do with this?"

"No. You don't."

He laughed. I hadn't heard him laugh in 8 years. I missed that.

"Thanks for the headups. So is she the one that left here a while ago?"

"Yeah."

"She's cute." Now he was just being a pathetic tease.

"She's taken." I said, looking him in the eye.

"Really? I don't care. I'll take my chances."

What the hell was he talking about?

I stood up.

"No you won't. I'ma beat you up if you go anywhere near her. She's supposed to be our best friend remember?" I was yelling now.

"Wow Char, jealous much? I was only kidding."

Okay, now I was totally embarrassed.

I sat down again. "Oh."

"I can't believe you still get jealous over petty things. Tsk Tsk, you're never gonna change. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy you want me all to yourself." he said with a smirk.

"In your dreams weirdo."

He chuckled. 

"So tell me what you've been up to all this while."

"Not much. I went to college, NYU. That's where I met Cat. I majored in Art. You know that already. When I graduated 3 years ago, I got a job in a studio. I am a singer and I sang back up for different artists. The pay was really good and I made good money. But last year things went downhill pretty fast and the studio lost a lot of money. So I was let go. I moved out of my apartment and moved in here with my parents."

"Sounds good. Except for the losing your job part."

"Yeah."

"I can't believe I missed your graduation. I'm the shitiest friend ever." He shook his head, looking away. I could tell he was still very sorry.

"Daniel, it's fine. So what about you?"

"Normal. I mean I got into BU. I graduated at 21, got married at 22 and divorced at 26." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "After graduation, I got a degree in medicine. I got a job in a hospital in Boston and I've been working there ever since. But when Dad told me he's planning on retiring and that I should take over the family hospital, I saw it as an opportunity to come back to where I grew up." He looked at me. "To see you."

Whoa. What am I supposed to say?

"I'm also a shitty friend. I missed your graduation too." I said, to ease the tension.

"Well, at least you had a reason."

I didn't know what to say. He looked at his Rolex watch. "Wow. I can't believe we've been talking for three hours. Its getting dark already."
I looked outside. It was a little after seven, I think.

"Well Char, it's been fun talking with you. I really need to hit the bed. My eyes are practically begging to be closed." He stood up and headed for the door. I followed.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I shut the door and watched him walk away through the window. This time It didn't feel like he was leaving. It felt like it was the new beginning  of our old friendship. I still wanted to beat the hell out of Abby for what she had done to him. I hated seeing him like that, miserable and sad.

I ran up the stairs wondering why Mom and Dad were not back yet. It didn't last long cause my phone rang the minute I entered my room. I checked the caller ID and it was Cat.

"Hey Cat."

"Babe, I was just thinking about you. How you holding up?"

"Great. Daniel was just here."

"Really? What happened?"

"He apologized. I accepted and we're best friends again." I said cheerfully.

"Oh. Why do you sound so happy like you just won the lottery?"

"I'm just watching a comedy."

'These days you lie a lot. Just face it, you're happy because you and Daniel are friends again.'  My. mind accused.

'I'm not. I couldn't care less about Daniel.' I replied.

'Right. Just keep telling yourself that.'

'I will. Now shut up!' I screamed inwardly. Lo

"Oh. Okay." Cat said.

"Yeah, and I told him about you too. We're all best friends now so I think we should go out sometimes."

"Okay. I'm all for that."

"Cool. And Cat?"

"Yes?"

"Please, leave his balls out of our friendship, alright?"

I could hear her soaring with laughter. "Alright."

"Cool. Goodnight hun, I'm feeling sleepy." I yawned.

"Fine. Goodnight."

I disconnected the line. I made my way to the bathroom, did my business, brushed my teeth and changed into my polka dot pyjamas and combed my hair. I took my phone from the bed and checked the date. It was the eighteenth of March. Daniel would be going back in a month's time. A lot of things could happen within a month. I plugged my phone and went to bed.

This is going to be a long month.