A Shot in the Dark

TAYLOR’S POV
First full night on the job and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t completely terrified. I was used to being behind the scenes. Preparing the food. Not serving the food. I’m not very good with people skills. This will not go well for me.
The beginning of the night started off smoothly. The customers seemed to like me, and no one’s meals mad gotten switched around. Everyone was enjoying their night. That was until I was asked to serve table 23.
“Good evening. Could I start you off with white or red wine?” I said without looking up. I know it’s rude to not make eye contact with the customers, but I would just make it awkward.
I noticed that the customer had yet to answer my question. Before I had the chance to look up, one of the men whispered my name.
“Taylor?”
Everything around me seemed to stop when I looked into those familiar blue eyes. The ones that I had become so familiar with in high school and had pushed away. I couldn’t believe it. The boy who I had been so in love with and then had broken my heart was sitting at the table I was waiting on. I knew eventually I would run into him, but not this soon.
I quickly walked away from the table to get some air. I knew it was rude to just leave them there, but there was no way I was ready to face Pat.
Why is he here? Of all the places in this city to go, of course he shows up here. I bet Jackie told him I was here. Honestly she needs to keep her trap shut sometimes.
I don’t know what to do. I have to go back in there. This is my job, but I cannot face Patty. I know he doesn’t want to see me. After we broke up he never reached out to talk to me. Sure I got the occasional hello in the halls. And the first few months after the break up he even asked me to hang out a few times, and even though I declined every offer, I wanted to say yes so badly. I missed him more than anyone could imagine, but I needed to distance myself. I had to get over the boy with the pretty blue eyes.
Someone else’s presence took me out of my own thoughts.
I knew it was him. He still wears the same cologne that he wore back in high school..
“If I talk, will you not run away this time?” he asked.
“What’s there to talk about. Me and you are over.”
He took a step closer to me, taking my response as an invitation to look me in my eyes. I looked down and took two steps back. I could tell by the look in his eyes that my actions had hurt him.
“Yes you and me are over as a couple. But I did lose my best friend that day.” he said quietly.
“Well that’s your fault for breaking my heart. You were my everything and you tore that all apart when you ended it.” I snapped back. He looked up sadly and I realized how many mistakes we made back in high school.
We were sixteen. We didn’t know what we wanted. Well some of us didn’t. Pat knew he wanted the make it big in the NHL so that’s what he did. Even if it meant losing me along the way. But I could see where I could be a distraction. Any girl could be a distraction. All Patrick did was go to the rink. If he wasn’t at the rink, he was in the gym and if he wasn’t there he was locked in his room doing homework. He just didn’t have time for me. As much as it hurts to admit that, it’s the truth. He tried to explain that to me that day, but all I heard was ‘I think we should break up.’ I didn’t take the time to comprehend his reasoning.
I pushed away my best friend because he was doing what was best for him. I should have been more understanding.
That doesn’t change the fact that I am not ready to see him, but I guess I don’t have to be so rude to him.
“I’m sorry Patrick. I shouldn’t have said that.” I said apologetically.
“No, you’re right it is my fault.” he said, “I just left you. Hockey wasn’t and still isn’t a reason to just give up on somebody. Especially your best friend. I messed up big time and I am so sorry for that. As soon as I heard you were in Chicago I knew that maybe it was a sign we could be friends again you know. Like start over from when I first met you...What do you say?” he asked with hope in his eyes.
As much as I wanted to say yes to him it just felt wrong. I can’t tell you why but something just wasn’t right. He could tell by my hesitation that I wasn’t so sure about spending time with him.
“What about this, I have the day off tomorrow. You call me tomorrow and tell me if you’re up for spending the day with me. If it doesn’t work out, I’m still going to bother you, but I’ll hold off for a week and let you think about it. Deal?” he asked.
I knew this might be my only chance to get Patrick back in my life, and I definitely didn’t want to throw that chance out of the window.
“Alright deal.” I agreed. “But promise it won’t be awkward or anything because then I’ll just leave.”
“Your wish is my command.” he said with one of his award winning smiles.
After exchanging numbers we both entered the restaurant smiling. I decided to have another waitress assigned to his table since it would be awkward to serve Pat and his friends after my little episode.
I wonder if the girl he was with was his girlfriend. The thought of that didn’t upset me as much as I thought it would. I know Patrick is a good guy and his looks make it ten times easier to find a girlfriend. But the dumb blond just didn’t seem like his type. Either way I decided if we’re going to make this work I’m going to have to support his decisions, even if it’s a girlfriend that I’m not so fond of.
Aunt Tracy felt that maybe I should take the rest of the night off, so I headed home to tell Matthew all about my night. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to find out that I ran into one of our old friends. Well one of my old friends.
Matthew was never really a fan of Patrick. He thought Patrick didn’t take things seriously enough, which is fact was true. While Patrick liked to make a joke out of everything, Matthew didn’t joke around at all. Ever since my dad left, Matthew had to take on a lot of responsibility.
He also didn’t agree with the partying Patrick did back in high school. Although Pat was focused on hockey, he always found time for a good party.
When I finally got home Matthew was nowhere to be found. I decided to waste time by taking a quick shower.
While I was in the shower I able to really think about everything that happened tonight.
I was actually reunited with Patty, and we were going to try to work through our past and be friends again. This isn’t how I thought our reunion was going to go. I expected him to ask why I was in Chicago, and to blame me for us not talking anymore. The last thing I expected was for him to take the blame and be so understanding. Pat really is the nicest guy I’ve ever met. He’s always been so understanding, and I guess some things never change. When I got out of the shower, I quickly got dressed and walked out into the den. Matthew had just gotten off the phone and looked half excited, half scared as hell.
“What’s wrong bro?” I asked.
“Well,” he said. “I just got a job offer in Sweden to go study a cure for brain tumors in children.”
It took me a couple seconds to register what he had just said. My brother, moving to another country?
“Taylor, I accepted the offer. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I leave In a week.”
I just stared at him. One of the reasons I moved her was to be closer to him. Now he’s just going to move halfway across the world?
“Can you please say something?” he asked. I could tell he was scared of my response.
“I’m so happy for you Matthew!” I ran up and gave him a hug.
“I’m sorry that I’m leaving so soon like this Taylor. It’s just such a big offer. Hey and by the way, you can have the apartment.” He said excitedly.
“ARE YOU SERIOUS MATTHEW???” I yelled. It was an amazing apartment and I knew I would have to find a roommate, but that was the least of my problems right now.
“Of course, Taylor. I wouldn’t want to give it to anyone else.”
I went to bed sad that Matthew was going to be leaving soon, but also excited for what’s to come in the next few weeks. I realize that I didn’t tell him about me seeing Patrick again, but I figured that was the least of his problems.

Notes