You're the Reason - J. Nathan Page 0,45

I glanced over my shoulder at her. “Sorry.” I stepped into the classroom and moved down the aisle to my seat.

Chase sat in his seat, his eyes on his phone.

It took everything in me not to ask why he’d dropped off the face of the earth after leaving me on Sunday morning. But I pulled it together, sat down, and grabbed my laptop out of my bag.

“Hey,” he said.

I didn’t look at him. “Hi.”

“How are you?”

I opened my laptop. “Peachy.”

“So…” He began. “Friday?”

I opened a blank document on my computer.

“Valerie said it’s your birthday,” he explained. “Can I take you out?”

My eyes finally cut to his. “You spoke to Valerie?”

“Yeah.”

“But, you didn’t speak to me?”

He sighed. “I just ran into her.”

“Just as in this morning or whenever you returned?” My eyes narrowed. “When was that by the way?”

“This morning.”

I nodded, letting the knowledge settle.

“So, what do you say, Soph? Can I take you out?”

I tipped my head, studying his face. Did he really not understand my confusion—make that frustration? “Do you plan on disappearing between now and then?”

He dragged his teeth over his bottom lip as he thought about my question.

“Because I don’t think I’m being unreasonable to just, I don’t know, expect a phone call when you’re on your way back so I at least know you’re alive.”

“Soph—”

“Look, I’m not trying to sound like a bitch. But I thought we came to an understanding Saturday night. But maybe that was just me thinking something was going on when it really wasn’t.”

He opened his mouth to respond.

“But I get it. You just got out of a relationship and you have family issues you need to tend to.”

“I—”

“No need to explain. But if you don’t mind, I’ve had a pretty shitty start to the week. Between you disappearing, Valerie ghosting me, and Chantel moving out, I really just need a break from the drama.”

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” Professor Irons said as he walked into the room.

I turned to look at him.

“Your papers were fantastic,” Professor Irons began. “The analogies you made between the two films as well as your keen eye to detail made them a pure pleasure to read. If you haven’t checked the portal yet, your grades are in.”

I pulled up the portal on my screen. I could sense Chase leaning in and looking over at my screen. Professor Irons’ remarks read: The A+ you deserved last time.

“Nice job, Soph,” Chase said, knowing I did the paper on my own after he ditched me for the second movie.

I didn’t look at him. I needed time to figure out what to say. What to think. What to feel. There were so many red flags when it came to Chase Reed, and the fact that he hadn’t apologized as soon as I walked in for his radio silence, told me he didn’t get it.

Professor Irons released us early, so I gathered my things and stood up to go.

“So, what should we do Friday?” Chase asked as he followed me out of the classroom and down the hallway to the stairwell.

“I’m not really sure doing something’s a good idea.”

“Come on, Soph. Cut me some slack.”

“Cut you some slack? Need I remind you that you just disappeared without a word for three days? And, how about our rocky start? How do I know those weren’t all warning signs telling me this is a very bad idea?” I hurried down the stairs.

“You can’t do that. You can’t throw the past in my face. How are we supposed to move forward if you do that?”

I stepped outside and stopped to glare at him. “Is that what we’re doing?”

He pulled me into his chest, wrapping his arms around me as people headed in all different directions around us. “I’m sorry.”

Needing to see if his apology was sincere, I pulled my head back and looked up.

He looked down at me. “I’ve got shit to deal with at home that I don’t talk about. It has nothing to do with you, so I try to keep that life and this life separate. Can I just ask you to be patient with me and not throw it in my face? I never meant to hurt you.”

I stared into his eyes, so earnest and thoughtful. Ugh, I hated myself for being unable to resist his damn charm. “Will you ever be able to tell me what’s going on at home?”

He nodded. “I just need time.”

I thought about what he was asking. Could I give him time? Could I not