I still stand dry mouthed, gaping at Ashley, searching for the words to come. But Ashley, who was still propped up against the outside door frame of her apartment, wasn’t having any of it.

“So was there a point of you coming over here?” She finally asks, breaking the silence between us. She looks at me expecting me to say something when the only thing coming out of my mouth is hot air. “Okay well I’m not going to just stand here while you gawk at me.” She says as she throws her arms up in the air and turns to walk away from me. I take a step towards her catching the inside of her right elbow.

“Please.” I finally hear myself say.

“Please what?” She sighs out as she turns to face me but all I can do is look towards the floor.

“Please stay.” I say, still looking down to the floor because I can’t bring myself to look into her eyes.

“Why should I after the shit you pulled after class? Why should I stay here and not walk away from you just like you did to me?”

I nod in agreement when I hear her words cut me to the bone. I can’t find a good reason for her to not leave me standing here. I feel tears beginning their journey as my sight become blurry and I find the strength to look her in the eye. “I just want to talk.” I say as my voice cracks.

I hear her let out a long, dramatic sigh and the jingle of her keys as she unlocks the door and turns back to me. “This better be quick because I have plans.” She says, showing no sympathy.

I form a stern look on my face. “Well if I’m interfering in your plans then excuse me. I can just leave.”

“Fine, bye.” She says closing the door again and locking it.

“Ugh. No, I’m sorry. Can we please go inside and talk.”

Ashley throws her keys on the coffee table that’s in front of the couch, signifying she’s upset that I ruined her plans. I sit in the middle of the couch and she sits on the arm of one side. I look straight ahead towards the television; silence fills the room for a little while before I realize that it’s my turn to do the talking.