Chapter 18

I then turn to Ocean who was waiting for me.

"Follow me," he says and l do just that.

Exactly why are you following him again, my mind asks and l shut it out.

I owe it to myself to hear him explain why he left and cut off all communication with me, l was his best friend for crying out loud.

We get into his car and he drives away.

About ten minutes into the drive he stops on the side road and turns off the ignition.

I open the door to stand outside and he does the same.

He stands in front of me and l can't move, l miss him, l am angry at him l don't know how l feel.

We stand there for a couple of minutes just staring at each other.

"If there is nothing you want to say can you take me home." I say and start walking to the car.

'' l am sorry. " He blurts out and l stop.

"I am sorry." He says kneeling down and my heart skips a beat.

"What are you sorry for." I ask my back still at him.

"For hurting you."

"I am sorry for leaving you."

"For being stupid, for not caring how it must have been hard for you to just wake up and find your best friend gone."

"l am sorry l was selfish."

"I am sorry l did not go to prom with you, l am sorry every Saturday you had to go alone to the Heritage center, you had to study alone, l am sorry for it all.''

"I didn't want my mom to go alone in a foreign country and l knew l could not take you with me. And l also knew that if l came to say bye l was going to change my mind about everything and want to stay."

"After just leaving without saying anything l didn't know what to say to you so l couldn't bring myself to say anything." He says breathing heavily.

I start crying.

"Can you take me home." I say still sobbing.

I don't know what to say to him, he apologized for everything l wanted him to apologize for and l totally understand him.

He stands up and goes to the driver's seat.

I get in and l tell him the directions.