Chapter III
Ayumi

“Sure is, how’re you doing?”

I shook my head, still unsure as to why I let him use my phone to call Jon. I may not have been able to see Jon, but I knew he’d looked mildly confused and there was no way he had wanted this phone call.

“Yeah, it has been a while. I'll be in town for a while so I thought I’d give you a call.” He paused for a bit. “Well, I thought we could hang out like we used to, just you, me, Ayumi and…” He stopped again, probably because Jon had cut him off. “Yes, I used her phone. Well, not exactly like before, since… well…. You know. That and Greg’s gone.” He paused again, shooting me an apologetic glance as he listened to Jon’s response.

I’d almost forgotten about Greg. He and I had dated since our junior year of high school. He turned out to be a complete ass. Jon and I had a class together in university, and we became quick friends. Greg was well aware of Jon’s sexuality and had no problem with it until Eric started dating Jon, which was about a year after Jon and I became friends. It was then that the rude remarks began. Mostly, Greg only spoke about them behind their backs, but gradually it happened more often around them. About three months into Jon and Eric’s relationship, I ended mine with Greg.

Eric chatted with Jon for a short while longer, said goodbye, hung up and handed my phone back to me.

“You didn’t tell him I’d be in town, did you?” Eric asked.

I shrugged. “Well, no, but you met Daniel, and right after work he met up with Jon. And I would have assumed Daniel told Jon he met you and then Jon would have put two and two together…” I trailed off, realizing I was kind of babbling, and grinned sheepishly.

Eric smiled and shook his head, his dark blond hair falling into his brown eyes. Jon never did tell me why they broke up. It was rather sudden and it made no sense. After all, Eric was sweet, good-looking, intelligent and completely in love with Jon. Oh well, whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter much anymore.

“I missed your rambling. It’s been far too long,” Eric said, breaking me from my wonderings.

“Yeah… so, do you want pizza or take out?”

We ended up getting take out. As we walked back to my basement apartment, I finally got up the guts to ask:

“Eric? Why did you and Jon break up?”

He didn’t respond at first. For about a minute, we just walked in silence. I looked over at Eric and he was just staring straight ahead.

“Eric? You don’t have to answer. I was just a curious.”

He sighed and looked down at me. “I don’t know. I just think Jon was afraid of commitment. He was only 21… though he never did specify the reason for it… he just…”

“Sorry I asked,” I cut in, sensing his oncoming mood. “He never really told me what happened.” Which was weird considering he usually told me everything.

We walked the rest of the way in an awkward silence. After getting inside, I turned to shut the door as Eric put the food on the counter.

“How long has he been with the kid?”

What on earth is he talking abo—Oh, Daniel. “Er, a few months, I think. Why?”

“Just curious… he seems kinda… young.”

I’ve always felt sorry for Daniel, everyone thinks he’s younger than he is. Even I did when I first met him. “He’s 21,” I replied. This conversation was getting way to awkward or my liking.

“How’d they meet?”

I looked up from the box of chow mein I was about to open. “What?”

“How’d they meet?”

“I asked Jon to stop by the bookstore the day after Daniel lost a bet. Daniel didn’t really like Jon much at first but—”

“That changed fast?” he cut in.

“Yeah.”

Yet another awkward silence as we loaded up plates with the food we’d brought home. Moments later, we were eating said food, silence still surrounding us.

“Ayumi?”

“Yes?” I answered, putting my chopsticks down.

“Have they…” he trailed off, obviously embarrassed.

“Slept together? Technically, yes, but they really were just sleeping; no sex, if that’s what you were asking.” Argh! I really just shouldn’t talk.

Eric nodded, smiling slightly as he looked up from his dinner. “Sorry for the twenty questions. I guess I’m just… I’m—”

“Still in love with Jon?” I covered my mouth with both hands as soon as the words had left my mouth. I’m such a moron. I really need to work on that whole speaking without thinking thing. What a sec… was Eric blushing? Oh damn, does that mean I’m right? “Eric? Sorry, I hadn’t meant to say that… I really don’t think before speaking. I—”

“It’s alright. If you did think before speaking you wouldn’t be you.” He paused for a moment, as if debating within himself whether or not to continue. “Part of me still does while at the same time, especially now, I just wish to be over it.”

Oh shit. This was not good. Really not good.

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AN: Yeah, it's a short chapter. But don't worry, there's more on the way, and the next chapter should be finished around Friday or so. I've decided each chapter is a different point of view, and since I kinda didn't feel like continuing in Ayumi's voice, I ended the chapter. I mean, really, if I were to actually get this published, I'd make it so the chapters were kind of short. Whatever. Just be glad it's done. And that the next chapter's on the way. Read and review, please.