(𝐁𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇)

I check my phone and see that Cole is about twenty-five minutes late.

I consider getting up and leaving, but I decide to wait five minutes before sending him some not-so-nice texts.

I place my phone on the table and groan quietly.

Is this the type of distraction I really need?

The door swings open and I finally see Cole. He wears a black suit with a long tie and a watch on his wrist, which he checks as soon as he walks in.

He catches my eyes and smiles before walking over to me.

"I'm extremely sorry my meeting went on for too long," he spoke. "Did you order anything yet?"

"No, I haven't," I tell him.

"It's great to finally see you again, completely sober this time," he says.

"It's nice to see you too, although I can't remember you having an accent," I say.

"Yeah well you were pretty wasted," he says.

He smiles slightly then looks at his menu, "What are we thinking hm?" He asks.

"I'm not sure, I haven't really been here before," I tell him.

He raises a brow, "Really?"

"This place is known for spectacular pastries," he says.

"Normally that's too much sugar for me in the morning but I pick them up around evening time to have a quick and delicious snack at work," he says.

"You really are old huh," I joke.

"I'm only twenty-four," he chuckles.

"And you're already working at a suit-wear type of job?" I ask.

He smiles and chuckles a bit, " I have my connections,"

I take a look at the menu and decide what I want. He calls the waiter over and orders the food.

He places his hand on mine and I begin to feel nervous.

"How have you been?" He asks.

"Good actually, I've been better tho," I tell him.

"Is anything in particular bothering you?" He asks.

As I go to answer the question the door opens again and this time it's Kate and Tristan.

They walk over to the counter and start talking to the staff.

My heart skips a beat then I hear Cole's voice.

"Did you hear me?" He asks.

I take a deep breath and look at him as he gives my hand a squeeze.

"What'd you say?" I ask.

He chuckles, "I asked if anything in particular is bothering you?"

"It's a long story," I tell him.

When I look back again, Kate locks eyes with me and I try to hide a bit which she laughs.

I see Kate physically push Tristan over to Cole and me and for the first time in a long time, I want to slap her.

"Hey Liv," she mutters.

"Hey," I tell her.

"Oh I remember you, you're the guy from the bar," she says.

Stop talking, please.

He chuckles, "And you're one of the girls from the bar,"

Tristan remains quiet for a long time then I  watch his eyes stare at Cole's hand on mine.

I move my hand away and run my fingers through my hair.

"So what are you guys doing here?" I ask.

Before Kate can answer Tristan does, "We were just leaving,"

He tries to indicate for her to come but she doesn't give in so easily, "We're here until our food is ready, I didn't wanna go to the diner again," she says.

"Have space for two more?" She asks.

Before I can answer Cole nods happily.

Kate squeezes in next to me, leaving Tristan no choice but to sit next to Cole.

"So what are you guys doing here?" She asks.

"We're on a date,"

"Just grabbing some Brunch,"

We both answer at the same time.

He laughs softly, "Well clearly we haven't clarified what it is we're on yet,"

"Didn't know we were doing dates so soon," Tristan mutters.

Cole gives raises a brow but Katelyn quickly distracts him.

"So do you work in Greendale?" She asks.

"Kind of, I work for an accounting firm not too far from here," he answers.

"Accounting, how fun," Tristan speaks.

Cole looks over to him, with his eyes squinted, "And what do you do?" He questions.

"Fair point,"

"Exactly," he mutters.

Tristan clenched his jaw but quickly lets it go.

"We'll be back, we just have to go to the restroom really quick," Kate mutters.

Tristan looks at her with an annoyed expression, "Kate we don't have all day,"

"I know, it'll be five minutes tops," she tells him as she gets up.

She practically drags me to the bathroom and then checks the stalls before looking at me.

"What the hell were you thinking?" She asks.

"Tabitha told me to get a distraction," I say. "Why'd you make him come all the way over to us in the first place?"

"Because he was whining when he saw you sitting all hands up with another guy, so I went over there to clarify nothing was wrong, not knowing you were on a date," she explains.

She then stops for a second before thinking, "Wait didn't you lose his number?" She asks.

"I found it in the wash," I tell her and she groans.

"His friends were basically predators, how the hell do you just add his number after losing it," she complains.

"I can't remember anything, I was drunk," I tell her.

"Yet you remember his number?" She says.

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair stressfully, "What should I do, he seems nice,"

"Just be careful, I'm not sure how to feel about the dude," she says.

I nod and she gives me a quick reassuring hug before we leave the restroom and return to the boys.

We return to a deafening silence and they both look a tad bit pissed off. Tristan even moved away from him to sit on the other side of the table.

So Katelyn sits next to Tristan while I sit next to Cole.

"You okay?" I ask. Really wanting to ask Tristan but only soft enough for Cole to hear.

"Yh I'm fine," he says with a tight-lipped smile. So tight I can guarantee it was fake.

After a while, the food had finally come so Kate and Tristan decided to leave.

Just as Tristan is out of sight Cole mutters, "God that guy is such an asshole,"

"Was he the one who picked you up from the bar too?" He asks. "Fucker nearly hit my car,"

He seems so heated, did Tristan piss him off so fast.

"Yeah, he did that's Kate's brother," I tell her.

He bites his sandwich before chewing, "Fucking douche,"

I give him a questionable expression, "What did he say?" I ask.

"Nothing really, his demeanour, presence and his whole attitude make me pissed," he says.

A few months ago I would've agreed with that statement.

"But that doesn't matter," he smiles.

"Tell me more about yourself,"

── ·✩· ──

After I get home, I take a shower and change into some comfortable clothes.

I flop onto my bed and put on a show but I quickly get distracted by my thoughts.

A distraction was definitely not what I needed and Cole wasn't the best distraction, I definitely am never going to see him again.

A distraction for me would be away from this place, on vacation or at least away from everyone.

I'm really not sure how I'm feeling, I still crave Tristan like heroine and I know that's not healthy but can I really stop myself from thinking about him?

I had the best thing going for me and I threw away for a friendship, I hope Josh appreciates this because I'm putting his happiness before my own.

Even before Tristan's happiness and really hate myself for it, but what can I do?

"God," I groan.

I get out of bed, then I take a seat next to the window. I stare outside at the sky, it looks so peaceful.

So calm, it was everything I was missing in my life right now. My life is chaotic, drama-filled and extremely exhausting. The only thing I wanted was to be happy and contented.

I can't remember the last time I took a deep breath without it being shaky. It's been so long since the last time I felt calm.

I take a big breath and draw my legs up to my chest. I attempt to let all of my problems go away with just one breath, but it fails.

I remember as a child, my primary ambition was to be successful, to have a marriage like my parents and a few children. A large hillside home with an infinity pool looking over the entire city.

That vision now appears to be hazy. It only gets further and further away from me with each step I take, each decision I make, and each person I allow into my life.

It's easier to run away from my problems than to face them, but I'm not going to be unprepared when I do face them.

I come to the conclusion that it was time to take that long-awaited visit.

── ·✩· ──

𝗼𝗼. ⁞ 𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐒!

Hey guys, that concludes chapter fifty-three, surprise chapters are on Tuesdays if I'm up to it, it won't be a consistent thing but Thrursdays are. I certainly do hope that you liked this chapter. Chapter fifty-four is coming soon.

Don't forget to comment your feedback and vote.