Falling

36 | Falling

Waking up Sunday morning was one of the first mornings I'd ever felt at ease. I had met with Tatum the day before and had told her everything. I told her about Mari, about Matt and even about Dante. She wasn't very happy about that one and wasn't very happy that she wasn't told sooner but she was still supportive.

She told me Mads had broken up with Tate and I felt an ungodly sense of relief. I did not want him to be involved in our lives anymore and the less connections he had to me the better.

Dante had hinted over text messages that he wanted to see me today so I got up and headed to the shower. After showering I threw on some leggings and an oversized sweater.

The ringing of my phone came shortly after.

"Hello," I said quickly while slightly out of breath from sprinting to grab it from the shower.

"Why do you sound like you just got thoroughly fucked?" Came Dante's snarky reply. Shaking my head at his always crude remarks I answered.

"You're the worst." I laughed.

"No, I'm the best. And I'm outside your apartment. I want to take you somewhere." He said quickly.

"Okay, I'll be down soon." And with that I quickly hung up. Gathering my things I made sure to turn off all the lights and lock the door before heading downstairs to meet Dante outside.

When I approached the car I noticed again there was no driver, just Dante behind the wheel which had been a consistent appearance lately.

"Hi," I said smiling while sliding into the passenger seat. I was instantly met with the smell of his mouth watering cologne and his bright smile. He wore a more casual outfit than usual with a long sleeved grey shirt and jeans. He had a navy blue coat on as well and somehow made the whole outfit look like that of a magazine ad.

"Hello," he said back. He slowly leaned over his eyes falling to my lips. I smiled as his soft lips met mine. It was a quick peck but was enough to make my heart flip.

"Where are we going?" I asked while buckling up my seat belt.

He put the car in drive and turned down the radio.

"Just somewhere I'd like to show you." Was his answer. He looked content as he drove and I wonder if his weekend at home had helped him relax.

We drove in a comfortable silence for about an hour. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Biting my tongue to prevent myself from asking where we were going or if we were almost there a million times.

We approached what appeared to be an old middle school in an upstate New York town. It was sunday so there were no kids, just an empty lot and large brick building.

"This is where Lily and I went to school," He whispered, keeping his head and eyes' trained to the window as he studied the familiar surroundings.

I looked at him almost surprised. He was showing me a part of him. A part of his past, and because of that a wide smile spread across my face.

"What was she like?" I asked carefully. He turned so he was looking at me and I scanned his face for any sign of hesitation or discomfort. There was none.

"Smart, witty... she always knew what to say. We were young but yet she always held herself like a young lady." He smiled at the memory and for the first time in weeks we were talking about his past without arguing.

"I would've loved to meet her." I said with a soft smile. He just nodded back to me and then returned his gaze to the school outside of his window.

"I'm guessing this is where you grew up?" I broke the silence.