The next morning, I pulled myself out of bed and tried to push the thought of Austin's message to the back of my mind. I had no intentions of actually trying to make things work with him, but at the same time, my mind raced with the possibilities. But I still had no idea as to if he actually was single, but nonetheless, he's in the Army and trying to make a relationship work between the two of us would be so difficult. But at the same time, I had no plans on when I would be getting my own place or where I would be working yet. Yet here I am, mind racing with different ideas of what our future could look like and I hadn't even responded to him yet. How would I respond? What would I say to not make myself look desperate? Skylar. Skylar always knows what to do or say, so I picked up my phone and sent her a quick text.
'Hey, so call me. Something weird happened and I have no idea what to do'
Within 2 minutes, my phone was ringing.
"What happened?! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Well, I think, I don't know. You're not gonna believe this."
"Just tell me! Your brother knock up some girl or something?"
I laughed at her attempt to guess, granted it was something I could see Miles doing. Miles is a college sophomore and so wrapped into frat life that we were all shocked when he actually lasted more than his first semester.
"No! Although that would be something," I paused, trying to find the right words, "Austin texted me."
"Austin? Wait! No way! What did he say?!"
I sent her a screenshot of his text and waited.
"OMG! Text him back!"
"But what do I even say?! I don't even know if he has a girlfriend! Maybe he just brought it up because now would be the time, you know?"
"Yeah, well I'm looking at his Instagram now and he looks pretty single. It's a bunch of photos of him & guys he works with."
"Okay then Ms. PI. What should I say?"
"Actually, I've got to go, my parents are dragging me to meet some of their friends. I'll text you what to say & I'll see you tonight! Love you!"
"Love yo-," I heard the phone click and set it down to get ready. I pulled a black, thin strapped top and the black leggings that matched from my suitcase. After taking a quick shower, I checked my phone to see if Skylar had texted yet. She had and after figuring how to address the rest of his message, I texted him back.
'Hey! Yeah, long time! & thank you, it was a lot harder than I expected. How could I ever forget that pinky promise? It feels like it was just yesterday.'
I left my phone in my room and went to join my family in the kitchen. Who knew when Austin would respond or if he even would. The plans for today were to check out the downtown shops and meet up with Skylar's family for dinner. My family and I were flying home to Savannah the next day, so this was the last time I would see Skylar for at least a few months.
Later that day, back at the Airbnb, Emma and I were in my bathroom getting ready for dinner. We were going to a fancy restaurant to celebrate Skylar & I, so we were doing our hair & makeup. I curled the ends of Emma's hair and braided it back on both sides to keep it out of her face. I had pulled the top of my hair up into a ponytail and curled the ends. As I was zipping Emma's dress up, my phone dinged. It was Austin.
I gasped and Emma spun around with a puzzled look on her face.
"Who's that," she questioned as she snatched the phone from my hand, "Austin? Like your old best friend? What pinky promise?"
Oh, no... I did not want to explain this to her right now. And knowing Emma, she'd bring it up at dinner if I didn't give her the full details.
"Yeah, from high school. It's stupid really, just an inside joke."
"Um, this doesnt sound like just an inside joke, based on what he just said."
What? What could he have possibly said?! I snatched the phone out of her hand to see the message.
'Crazy timing, huh? I'm stationed at Hunter now, when will you be back in Savannah? We both know theres always been chemistry between us'
My jaw dropped open, so he is taking this seriously. I shook my head, this cant be happening.
"Hello? Earth to Chloe," Emma giggled, waving her hand in my face.
"Please dont say anything to anyone, including Sky. I'll facetime her tonight and fill both of you fully in. Mom and Dad, and God forbid Miles, find out about this before I've figured out what I'm going to do."
"This is weird, but okay. You better not leave out a single detail, and I mean it!"
Emma grabbed her lipstick off the bathroom counter and walked out of the room. I let out the breath of air I was holding and sent a screenshot to Skylar, she's not going to believe this.
I let out the breath of air I was holding and sent a screenshot to Skylar, she's not going to believe this
"I can't believe you're going to be in Europe all Summer. You have to call me every day because I don't know what to do about Austin," a tear slipped out of my eye as I spoke. This would be the longest Skylar and I had been separated since we met at move in day, freshman year.
"Oh, stop it, you'll be fine! And don't you dare make me cry too, it's just 3 months," she sniffled and wiped my tear away before it ruined my make up.
"But I have no clue what I'm doing in any aspect of my life. I'm going home to live with my parents, I have no job, and a massive boy problem. Everything is just changing so fast. I'll Facetime you tonight, Emma saw Austin's messages and now she's blackmailing me. Also, I still haven't texted him back."
She wrapped her arms around me and giggled, "Chlo, when I get back, you're getting lessons on how to text boys. I love you!"
I hugged her back and we said our goodbyes.
After we were back in our car, I sat in the third row of the rental and decided to text Austin back.
'I'll be back in Savannah soon. My flight leaves Friday afternoon. Seems you lucked up since you get to stay in Savannah for now. Just let me know when you're free for lunch or something.'
As I went to shut my phone off, three dots popped up, he was already typing.
'Let me get you from the airport, I'm free all weekend.'
'I mean I think my parents have their car parked there.'
'Chlo, just let me, I've missed you.'
I smiled and looked out the window, maybe we did have a shot at being together, only time will tell.
'Okay fine, I'll send you my flight details so you can track me.'
I leaned back in the seat and closed my eyes with a gigantic smile on my face.