The next day, I suddenly heard my phone go off. I groaned softly as I reached my hand up to grab my IPhone from my nightstand table then I pressed the 'answer' button and pressed my phone up against my ear, my eyes still closed. I feel a bit irritated that someone decided to call me early this morning. I'm not the type of person that's an early bird and I always feel like killing someone when they interrupt my sleep.
"What?" I said into the phone.
"Hey, Landon. I'm calling to see if you want to hang out with me today?" He said.
I sighed. "Why are you calling me this early? Couldn't you have waited till later?" I asked.
"Um....It's past two in the afternoon." He pointed out.
I slowly opened up my eyes then I pulled my phone from my ear and looked at the time. Well, what do you know? He's right. I knew I went to sleep last night, but I didn't think I was going to sleep in today.
"I thought you would've been up by now, but I guess you're still hung over from what happened yesterday." He said.
I stayed silent. I really wish Collin wouldn't bring it up. My heart still aches just thinking about Rico being with someone else.
"Anyways, are you coming out with me or not?" He asked.
"Where are we going?"
"I'm going to the mall to buy some new shoes."
"Then why are you wanting me to come?"
"Because I want your opinion. Please come. I don't want you to stay inside your apartment and think about 'you know who'."
I sighed softly, debating on whether I should follow Collin around while he tries on shoes or stay home and keep thinking about the man I love who obviously doesn't love me back anymore. Finally, I nodded.
"Okay. I'll come."
"Great! Meet me at the department store downstairs at the mall." He said then hung up.
I set my phone down on my bed then I looked up at the ceiling and frowned.
"Maybe...Maybe being distracted will help me forget about him..." I mumbled then I got up from the bed and proceeded to throw on some clothes to wear.
I decided to put on a short sleeved black and white striped shirt, black skinny jeans and my black converse. I combed and gelled up my hair before I grabbed my apartment keys, wallet and phone and left my apartment.
***
When I got to the mall, I went straight to the department store downstairs where I met up with Collin. We greeted each other before we started to walk around the store, looking at different things.
"This will look cute on my sister." Collin said as he was observing a small necklace.
I simply nodded then I started to look around the store, just observing when something caught my eyes. I watched as Rico was busy looking at different shirts with an unfamiliar guy standing next to him. I could only assume that it's his fiancé, but I really hope it isn't. Though, i'm not wanting to stick around to find out.
"We....We should go..." I said then I started to walk away.
"Why? Hey, Landon!" Collin called out.
I ignored Collin and continued to walk away until I suddenly heard Rico's voice calling out Collin's name. That's when I stopped in my tracks and slowly turned around to see Rico and the same guy walking up to Collin. I sighed then I slowly walked back over to Collin and stood next to him, staring at Rico and the guy next to him. My eyes, however, gazed down at their intertwined hands and I suddenly felt a pained sensation in my chest.
"Hey, Landon. This is my fiancé William. Will, this is Landon." Rico said, introducing us.
Will looked at me and smiled softly. "Nice to meet you."
I couldn't find the words to say it back so all I did was nod.
"So, what are you guys doing today?" Collin asked.
"We're shopping for some clothes. My Rico needs to upgrade his wardrobe~" Will said with a smile.
Rico? I thought I was the only one who called him that...
I suddenly felt sad after hearing Rico's fiancé calling him the nickname that I always called him when we were in high school. Even Rico's closest friends never called him Rico. They just call him Ricardo or Cardo, but never Rico.
I sighed softly, not really paying attention to their conversation.
"What are you guys here for?" Rico asked.
"I'm going shopping for some new shoes and Landon is tagging along." Collin said.
"Oh. Okay. Well, we'll let you guys get back to it." Rico said.
"It was nice seeing you, Collin and nice meeting you, Landon." Will said before walking away with Rico.
I slowly nodded as I watched the two of them walk away together then I followed after Collin to the shoe area of the store. When we got there, we sat down in chairs while Collin tried on different shoes. While Collin was busy trying to figure out which pair of shoes is his match made in heaven, I couldn't stop thinking about Will. Then, I sighed.
"No wonder Rico likes him. Will is more handsome than me. He's cuter. More social. Probably more fun. And where does that leave me? I'm not as cute as him or as buff or as social or...."
"Why are you thinking about stuff like that? You sound like a girl..." Collin said, sounding irritated.
I gently bit down on my bottom lip then I stood up.
"I'm gonna go. I'll call you later." I said then I quickly walked away.
"Landon!" Collin called out, but I ignored him.
When I was about to reach the double doors that leads to the outside, I passed by Rico. I was hoping that he wouldn't see me leaving, but I wasn't able to dodge him long enough because soon, I heard him call out to me.
"Landon."
I stopped in my tracks then I slowly turned around and faced him. Rico walked up to me and looked at me, looking concerned.
"You alright?" He asked.
All I did was stare at Rico as I felt my eyes well up with tears then without thinking, I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his lips. A tiny part of me hoped that Rico would kiss me back and I really didn't want to think about the possibility of him shooting me down.
Though, before I knew it, Rico pulled away from me and pushed me away. He stared at me, surprised. I didn't say anything, but instead, I turned and walked right out of the store. It's official, Rico is definitely over me. I just wished that even if he doesn't want to get back together, I want him to hold me in his arms and kiss me like he used to, but that doesn't seem like it'll happen at all.
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