Chapter 14: Nick, drifting away

In the New Year, Nick discovered that Katie had left on her nearly year-long work study overseas and became completely distraught.

He and I kept going to the gym together, going to class together, and hanging out, but our sex life completely dried up. I tried to talk to him and bring him around, but he was completely depressed.

I missed Katie desperately too, but I couldn’t tell him that. But I knew that she was off living her life, and as long as she was happy I really was okay with everything.

In February, Nick started dating a girl from high school named Michelle. She wasn’t part of our group, and to be perfectly honest he was far too hot for her.

She was short, had frizzy black hair, and dressed terribly. She desperately needed someone to explain waxing to her, and her personality was awful.

But, they dated. He was with her right through until the end of the semester. Soon, he spent all his time with her and we only talked briefly at the gym, and sometimes at school.

After exams I asked him to go out for a drink with me because I had something to tell him, and he reluctantly agreed. He picked me up and we drove to a local pub, had a few beers, and talked about inconsequential stuff.

Afterwards, we parked in the spot in front of my building and I told him that I was moving to the mainland.

He was pissed.

“When?”

“Beginning of June.”

Nick stared straight ahead, silent.

“Can we talk about this,” I asked. “Please?”

He refused to look at me.

“Come with me,” I begged. “We can get a place together.”

“I can’t leave,” he replied. “Everything is here.”

“Nothing is here!”

I grabbed his hand, and he turned to look at me.

“You can still get accepted for the fall if you apply now,” I said. “Come with me. Please.”

He turned to look out the window and pulled his hand away.

“You care about me, right?” I asked.

“Yeah, I do.”

“I care about you. A lot.”

He turned to look at me, and I saw a little flicker of a smile on his lips.

“Please,” I said. “Come upstairs and let’s talk about it. We never talk about how we feel about each other.”

“I can’t,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.”

I choked back tears on my solo ride up the elevator. I sat alone in my apartment, a huge lump in my throat, tears spilling down my face.

But I knew I was doing the right thing. I couldn’t stay in that town any longer.

There was truly nothing left for me there.