The next couple days progressed a little more like usual with the exception of Stephanie making a little effort to avoid me. Nothing ****, just enough to let me know that she still needed a little space to think. On the third day she finally broke the silence and called me after I got back from my run with Amy.
"Ian, hi."
"Hey."
"Look, I'm sorry for slapping you a few days ago. It's just... all those things you said and spilling your guts like that... I wasn't ready for it. It completely blindsided me."
"I know, I'm sorry for that."
There was an uncomfortable pause as I waited with baited breath for the answer I had been wanting so bad these past few days.
"I've had some time to think and... so here's the thing... I don't really know how to go about this."
This sounded like the beginning of a pained rejection notice. I immediately felt faint.
After another pause Stephanie spit it all out in quick succession, "You mean more to me than Simon and I want to choose you. But I don't want to hurt Elizabeth - "
"It's okay." I interrupted. "She said she would keep some of the other guy's numbers for this possib - "
This time Stephanie cut me off, "No, it's more than that. Ian listen. She hasn't admitted it to me and probably not even herself, but she is in love with you. You were a lot of her firsts, just like me, but during spring break at the cabin it became obvious to the rest of us. Like I said, I don't even think she has come to terms with it herself but we all see it. So I can't just choose you. It's more complicated than that."
I felt like my heart should have sunk with that last bit, but it didn't. "So... you're saying you love me too but you don't want to get in the way of Elizabeth's happiness?"
"I... I do. Yes, that's what I'm saying."
"Then what can we do about this? I can't lose you Stephanie," I said, instantly regretting the last part. I had promised to be cool.
After another long pause, she answered, "I know. And you won't. At least, I don't think so. I have an idea. Meet me at my house in about two hours."
"Okay, see you in two."
My energy had immediately returned. She said she loved me too. I had no idea how to feel about Elizabeth though. I was aroused, intrigued, and somehow slightly sad all at the same time. I had felt that I asked her to prom for a reason but Stephanie was always still in the back of my mind. I wasn't sure if my decision was because Elizabeth served as a surrogate for Stephanie in my mind or if I too had latent feelings for her that I hadn't realized. Great. More emotional baggage I have to address. I loved these girls but this was starting to get to me. I almost wished I hadn't ever fooled around with any of them and we were all still platonic best friends.
I showered and changed into fresh clothes before heading over to Stephanie's.
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