Fixing It

Matt watched as Courtney made her way towards the group. He really hoped that her talk with Conner helped but that wasn’t something he could tell at the moment.

Courtney knelt down beside him and asked. “Can we go talk someplace?”

Matt responded with a simple. “Sure.”

Courtney was nervous about talking to Matt but it had to be done. The two stood up and made their way to an area towards the side, away from everyone. Taking a breath, the girl stood there for a moment before speaking. “I’m sorry about the way I reacted early. I could have handled that better.” She didn’t give herself time to pause or think too much about her words, worries she would lose her nerve. “There was someone I liked. I mean really liked him for months. I knew I couldn’t be with him. He is dating someone who is a friend of mine and they are perfect together. Anyway, I was getting over him when you got back. I liked spending time with you. You made it easier to deal with. You were so easy to be around and I started to like you as more but I didn’t even realize it.” She took a breath, kicked some sand with her foot. “I didn’t know that you were going to ask me, that you were headed that way. I guess I should have seen it but I didn’t. When you asked me I got nervous. I wasn’t expecting it and all I could think was how you couldn’t be my rebound. How I couldn’t do that to you. It was never my intention to lead you on.”

Matt let her talk and when she broke for a moment. “So, you need more time? That’s what all this is about?”

“Yes,” Courtney said. “If you don’t want to wait I’d understand but I, for right now, can’t commit to the dance. I can commit to being your friend though and I still would like to spend time with you, if that’s still an option”

Matt put his hand, gently on his shoulder. “Courtney, we have time and I can certainly let you take all the time you need. And of course, I still would love to spend time with you as friends if that’s what you need right now.” He took his hand off her shoulder. “I can wait for whatever you decide. And we are always friends. Just so I make that clear.”

“So, we’re good?” Courtney asked.

“Of course. Just do me a favor, next time you're unsure about something like that, don’t shut me out. Just talk to me.”

“Deal,” Courtney said.

“Well, then let's go have lunch.” Matt smiled at her.

Courtney and Matt walked back to the group and sat down not too far from each other. It was clear that whatever had gone on earlier between the two was fixed. Kaylee watched this interaction and smiled softly to herself, then went back to eating her lunch.