----- Chapter Seven -----

"Well," he starts, shifting in his seat, "Danielle phoned, and I'm seeing her tonight. I'm pretty sure she wants to get back together. There's a part of me that still really loves her…" he trails off and takes a deep breath, "Man, but there's something…I don’t know if I CAN get back with her…" what? "It's like…I kinda…umm…I think I found someone else." WHAT??

"What?" my head snaps up but he won't look me in the eye. Someone else? Who? Please say it's me. Please. Please. Please. Please…"Who?"

"I don’t wanna say. I mean, I'm almost positive she's not interested and, well, she's got someone else anywayz so…" he smiles ruefully and sighs again. I feel sick. He's still in love with Danielle AND someone else. There's more chance of a snowball in hell surviving than me and Abs getting together. I give up. It's like all the other people I ever get crushes on. They're not interested or it's too darn complicated to work things out…maybe I should just give up men altogether and become a nun.

In the end, I find my voice. Sorta, "Oh."

"Oh?"

"Oh," I down my coffee and stare up at the ceiling. It's not fair…

"What d'ya think I should do?" he asks, a worried look in his eyes.

"Umm…" forget both of them and be with me, "Just do what feels right. I know it's a cliché and not a lot of help, but it's true. You said it last night - just find someone that you're comfortable with, and who treats you right," I bite on my lip, thinking, "That's about all I can say. I'm not exactly Little Miss Successful when it comes to relationships…"

Abs gives me a sympathetic smile, "It'll work out…you'll find someone. Or maybe you've already found your soul mate and you just have to realise it."

Too right I've found my soul mate…I think, it's you! I nod and sigh again. I'm in a sighing mood cos I'm pissed off and depressed.

"Well…I spose I should go now," I decide out loud.

"Already?" Abs surprises me by actually looking disappointed.

"Yeah…I've got…umm…well some sulking to do, chat shows to watch," I smile weakly, "I spose I'll do some drawing too…" Abs knows me well enough to leave me alone when I'm this sort of a mood. Drawing is an outlet for me - if I'm really upset I can knock out ten portraits in a few hours.

"Are you alright?" he asks, getting up and opening the café door for me.

"I'm fine," I say sharply. Abs looks hurt and I feel really guilty again.

"Did I do something to piss you off?" he stops me by putting his hand on my shoulder.

"No…look, I'm sorry…" I start walking again, slowly, "I'm just, y'know, not really with it today…" or ever, "I've got a bit of thinking to do and stuff…"

"It is Scott?" he asks.

"Is what Scott?"

"Whoever you got a thing for? Is it Scott?" Abs insists.

"I don’t wanna talk about it. Please…"

"But I…"

"Drop it."

We walk along in silence until we reach my house. I turn to him, "I'm sorry for snapping at you. Good luck tonight, yeah?"

Abs hugs me, "Thanks…I hope stuff works out for you too."

I close my eyes, hugging back, "Do what feels right, ok?"

"You too…" he pulls back, "Take care."

"Ditto…bye bye."

"See ya later."