24. Abbie
24
ABBIE
"Y ou look amazing." Chandler flashes that million-dollar smile that used to make my knees weak. "Whatever you’ve been doing lately suits you."
I slide into the booth across from him at our old favorite diner. The vinyl seat squeaks beneath me. "Thanks. You look... rested."
"Been getting my shit together. Dad cut me off."
"Yeah, you mentioned that on the phone." The skepticism drips from my voice before I can catch it.
"I know, shocking right?" He runs a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "Got a job interview tomorrow. Nothing fancy, just entry level stuff at some company."
The waitress drops off our usual orders - his burger, my chicken sandwich. Some things never change.
"Good for you." I pick at my fries, remembering all the times he mocked my night classes and part-time jobs.
"Listen, Abs." He reaches across the table for my hand. I pull back before he makes contact, putting my hands in my lap. "I was thinking maybe we rushed things. The breakup, I mean. We were good together. Really good."
The bell above the diner door chimes. My phone rings in my purse - probably Corey checking in. Or Seth. My cheeks warm at the thought.
"Were we though?" I meet his eyes. "Or were we just comfortable?"
"Come on, our time together has to mean something." He leans forward, voice dropping to that intimate tone he uses when he wants something. "I miss you."
The words that once would have melted me now ring hollow. Empty charm, like everything else about him.
"I appreciate the apology, Chandler. But I'm different now. We both are." I take a bite of my sandwich, chewing slowly. "Or at least I am."
"Look, I know I fucked up." Chandler's sounds remorseful, his eyes darting around the diner. "You were good for me, Abs. The best thing that ever happened to me."
"I'm going back to school. Getting my shit together finally." He leans forward, elbows on the table. "Maybe we could try again? Start fresh?"
The Chandler sitting across from me looks the same as always - perfect hair, perfect teeth, designer clothes. But something's different. The spark I used to feel, the butterflies, they're gone. Instead, my mind drifts to Corey's commanding presence, Seth's playful energy.
"I don't think that's a good idea." The words come out gentler than I expect. "What we had... it's in the past."
"Is there someone else?"
Two someone elses, actually. But I'm not about to explain that to my ex.
"That's not relevant." I straighten my spine. "The point is, I've changed. I'm not the same girl who used to hang on your every word, hoping you'd notice me trying to be perfect for you."
"But-"
"No, Chandler." I push my half-eaten sandwich away. "You didn't want the real me then. And honestly? I don't want the maybe-changed you now."
I hear a chime from in my bag. This time I check it - a text about tonight's dinner plans. A smile tugs at my lips.
Chandler's jaw tightens as he glances at my phone. "Who’s texting you?"
"None of your business." I tuck the phone into my purse.
"Come on, Abs. I know that look." His voice takes on that condescending edge I used to ignore. "You're seeing someone."
"And if I am?"
"Already? Shit, you moved on fast." He crosses his arms. "What's he do? Someone you met at work? Some college dropout?"
The irony almost makes me laugh. If he only knew about Corey's success, Seth's wealth. But I won't give him the satisfaction.
"My love life stopped being your business when you decided I wasn't fun enough anymore."
"So there is someone." His eyes narrow. "What, is he older? You in it for the money? That why you won't tell me?"
Heat floods my cheeks. "Where's my stuff, Chandler?"
"In my car." He doesn't move. "Just tell me who he is. I deserve to know who replaced me."
"You don't deserve anything." I stand up, grabbing my purse. "Let's get my things and just be done with this."
"Fine." He throws some cash on the table, following me outside. "But I know you're hiding something. The Abbie I know couldn't keep a secret to save her life."
The Abbie he knew. If he only knew how much I'd changed, what I'd discovered about myself. But that's not for him to know.
He pops his trunk, pulling out a cardboard box. "Here's your stupid shit."
I snatch the box. "Thanks. Good luck with the job interview."
"Whatever."
I turn away, holding my head high as I walk to my car. My former self would have explained, apologized, tried to smooth things over. But I'm not her anymore.
My phone chimes as I slide into my car, the cardboard box of memories tossed carelessly in the passenger seat.
Still on for tomorrow?
Sure
Double date with my best friend and his girlfriend. Nothing fancy, just dinner.
My heart skips. A real date. Not sneaking around at the speakeasy or late-night encounters. An actual, normal date where he wants to show me off to people who matter to him.
Like a real date? In public and everything?
Exactly like that.
I look at the box of stuff from Chandler. The timing feels almost poetic - closing one door while another opens wide.
Sounds lovely. What time?
7 pm. I'll pick you up.
Looking forward to it.
Me too, beautiful.
I set my phone down, a giddy smile spreading across my face as butterflies dance in my stomach. Just minutes ago, Chandler was trying to drag me back into our old patterns with his typical mix of guilt and sweet talk. Now here's Corey, pulling me forward into something new and exciting, something that feels refreshingly honest.
The contrast couldn't be clearer. While Chandler was all about keeping up appearances and playing games, always worried about what his friends would think or how things looked on social media, Corey just... asks for what he wants. Direct. Clear. No manipulation or guilt trips required. No hidden agendas or passive-aggressive texts at 2 AM. The simplicity of it is intoxicating.
I start my car, leaving the diner and my ex-boyfriend in the rearview mirror where they belong. My fingers grip the cool leather of the wheel with nervous energy as I pull onto the main road. Tomorrow night can't come soon enough, and for the first time in years, I'm actually excited about a date rather than anxious about meeting expectations. The thought of Corey introducing me to his friends makes my heart flutter in a way Chandler never managed.