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Iris looked at Kinley. She had so many questions. Mainly, why was she suddenly being so friendly? Or had she always been that way and Iris just hadn't noticed? Kinley pulled her into the room and out of the rain. She sat her down on her bed and began her questioning. "Come on. I've seen that face so much. It's a guy every time. Happens to me a lot." Her voice and face were kind, but Iris wasn't sure if her intentions were. Her expression must've told Kinley her doubts, because she sat down next to her and said, "I promise I won't do anything. It just seems like you have some things to get off your chest." Iris nodded and started, a little hesitantly, to tell Kinley about her tutoring with Caden. |
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Caden drove for hours, no music, just the hum of the engine as he went on mindlessly. The rich red car drove through numerous landscapes, desert, city, forest, anything under the sun. He didn't think just.... drove. His phone he left on do not disturb and turned off, as he'd rather not deal with anything besides the person going 20 in a 45 in the left lane. |
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Iris started slowly, just giving the bare minimum amount of information, but soon she became more comfortable talking with Kinley and shared more personal things, such as the fact that she was pretty sure she liked Caden. It felt good having someone to talk to, and Kinley was a great listener. After an hour or so, Iris had told her everything she felt like she had to get off her chest. She didn't share any of Caden's backstory or what had just happened other than the fact that she wasn't sure he liked her anymore. "So, what do you think I should do?" Kinley thought for a second before answering. "I think you need to give him, and you as well, time to think about your emotions and thoughts, and then see if he'll do anything. If he doesn't, then talk to him." Iris nodded slowly, deciding that was a good idea. |
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Caden eventually pulled onto a side road, getting out and sitting on the hood of the c8. He looked at how far he had drove, noting he added 350 miles to the guage. He ran a hand through his hair, mind scraping at the edges as it suggested dangerous ideas. He still liked Iris, he truly did but... he was pretty sure he blew it. The man went and got his phone, turning it back on and off DND, checking his notifications. Nothing. No texts, no calls, not even a notification from any socials, for once. He sighed, clicking onto Iris's contact. -Hey just btw I don't need tutoring anymore so... help somebody else :) - Was what Caden sent, setting the phone down beside him. |
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Iris was lying on her bed reading, trying to ignore the fact that Caden hadn't texted yet. It had been hours since she last saw him, and it was now almost dinner time. She sighed, tossing the book aside. She'd read five chapters and didn't remember any of it. She decided math would help her mind focus. She pulled her chair up to her desk and began. Before she was even done with the first problem, her phone buzzed. It was on vibrate, so she couldn't tell who had texted. She looked over at Kinley, who gave her an encouraging smile and nod. Iris stood and picked up her phone, reading the text from Caden. . She had to look over it three times to actually get the words to sink in. But what did they mean? Did he not want to be friends anymore? Did he still want to but was just letting her know that he didn't need tutoring? Did he never want to see her again? She didn't know. All she knew was that she was going to see him a lot less often now. That made her... Well, lonely, for one. But also abandoned and sort of betrayed. Iris sat down, staring blankly at the screen. Kinley saw her distress but didn't bother her. Iris didn't text Caden back yet, she didn't know what to say. It seemed that was happening more and more often. |
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Caden went and deleated the text, seeing she had already read it and cursing under his breath. The wind sent a chill through him as he tried to think of something to say, the words avoiding his mind. He sighed, setting the phone in his pocket before hopping in the Corvette. The engine hummed as he drove, pulling into the parking lot of the university. It was loud enough to hear if you were nearby, which he registered Iris's dorm to be. He turned the engine off, the lights dimming to nothing and the silence becoming overwhelmingly loud. Caden got out, slamming the door shut before leaning on it, hands knotted in his hair as he thought for a second. There was nothing but... anger. He was dissapointed in himself, his actions, his words, anything he'd done. The man's hands curled into fists at his side, though he forced himself to stop and take a breath. It wasn't over, he wasn't going to let it be. She still liked him, he knew it. His feet moved before his mind could catch up, and he was shocked to see they took him to the door of Iris's dorm. His heart raced, what if he messed up? Stuttered? She didn't forgive him? Caden took a deep breath and knocked against the door. |
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Iris saw the text disappear and realized Caden must have deleted it. But what did that mean? Had he changed his mind? Or was he just writing it differently? She waited for a while, but no new text came in. Kinley left for a party and left Iris there alone. She paced her room, sometimes perching on her desk chair or bed, but always immediately standing up again. She finally just leaned against the room door and stared at the wall across from her. A car's engine rumbled in the near distance, and somewhere nearby a dog barked. Iris stayed like that for a long time, mind whirling. Soon it slowed, and she was about to drift off, still leaning up against the door, when someone knocked on it. She jumped, heart racing at the sudden noise and vibration through the solid wood. She let out a yelp and leapt away from the door in fear and surprise. She recovered quickly and took deep breaths, reminding herself that it was just someone knocking, not a gang man coming to kill her. Probably just another student delivering her laundry. She unlocked the door and got another wave of surprise when she saw it was Caden. She stumbled backwards and almost tripped over her backpack. Iris steadied herself and tried to look normal. "Caden! Hey. What're you doing here?..." |
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Caden backed at the yelp, the sound catching him off guard. He rubbed the back of his neck when she asked what he was doing since... he didn't really know. "Well uh... I messed up. I know I did. We were outside and walking and it was fine but then we went to the library and I found that book, I didn't tell any press half of those things. So when I learned you read it... it was a little out of pocket since you know more about me than I do myself. I started being distant and even sent that text which was dumb since, I do still need your help. I don't even know all the language, yet." He chuckled, sticking his hands in his coat pockets. "I thought that maybe avoiding you would get you to try to talk to me more? But, that was just dumb since I wasn't gaining anything besides distance, which I didn't want. So... can we go back to how we were? Not acting like... we don't know eachother?" He asked, ticking his jaw out of nervousness. |
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Iris was ready for him to ask a question or say hi and leave. She wasn't ready for him to apologize. Why should he apologize? ...Oh, yeah, there kind of was a reason. But it wasn't a big reason... And she didn't really care that much. She was just glad he was back, that he still wanted to be... Wait, what did he want to be? Friends? She replayed what he'd said. He hadn't said friends, he'd said back to how they were. That was a good sign, wasn't it? Yes, it was. She was going to believe it was. "I forgive you. I messed up too. Didn't text you or call or anything. I should've, but I was too scared." Iris looked down, acutely aware of her rumpled hair and tired features. |
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Caden nodded, unable to hide the hint of a grin on his face as she agreed. He leaned on the doorframe, the light behind him shadowing his figure heavily. "Well I acted like I didn't need help anymore just to avoid the tension so, guess we both messed up heavily." He murmured, casting his gaze around her room as he folded his arms across his chest. (BROOO just lost all motivation XC ) |
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Bright Sunshine with a few High Clouds
