"I know we aren't really a thing anymore but it would mean a lot to me if you went to the book festival with me" her voice filled the phone in which Smith crushed to his ear.

Just hearing Jade's voice sent chills down his spine. They haven't spoken in a few days. Smith sighed.

"We can just go as friends, since that's what you wanted to begin with. No hand holding, no affections whatsoever. I will buy my own books. Hell, you don't even need to listen to the authors talking. Just being near books would help you." The voice machine kept rolling out her message.

"Please, call me back and let me know if you can make it" her voice carried an edge to it now. Jade never did like leaving messages on machines. Smith hit the repeat button. Her voice filled the room again.

He got out his cell phone and texted her that he'd go. Smith didn't think he could call her. Didn't know what he'd say. Or possibly beg Jade to take him back.

He thought back to that night. The one at the bar. How drunk he was. How dumb he was to try to give up Jade. How numb he felt after the words were already out. How Jade accepted them. How kind Jade was to let him sleep it off.

// It was the morning. The curtains were open. The light coming in woke up Jade. The light heightened her aching head. She looked around. Smith was next to her. The night before hit her like a brick. She sat up like a lightning bolt. "Ask me in the morning" kept repeating in her mind like a drum. Jade sat staring at Smith. Watching his chest rise and fall with each breath he took. In and out. He seemed so at peace, Jade thought. A storm was raging within her.

"Why would I want to be with someone who fully didn't want to be with me?" Was the one that now kept coming back to her.

"Smith, wake up" she said. A little too loudly for comfort. He rubbed his eyes. A little grin on his face.

"Good morning" he said. Totally unaware of the memories of last night. He leaned in for a kiss. Jade got out of the bed and paced.

"What's wrong?" Smith asked.

"Ask me in the morning" Jade's voice strangled out. His face was blank and then it turned to stone, remembering the shit he said.

"Fuck" came out of his vocal cords.

"You should just leave then" her hands gestured to the door. "I don't really have time for this. I need to get to work" she groaned. Her head and heart aching in multiple directions.

The worst part of all this? Smith didn't even say anything. Didn't say sorry or that he was stupid, that he was drunk. Nothing. All he did was slide on his pants, shirt, socks and shoes in silence. Never even looking Jade in the eyes. Just like that he was out the door. No words. Just that fuck of memory.

Jade probably would have cried if she had the time. Instead, she sliped into the shower and got ready for the miserable day ahead.

// back to the books

It was set up that they would meet up. Too bad it looked like Smith ditched her. In reality, he was there. Just trying his best not to get caught by Jade. His mind has been in a fog. He just didn't know what to say or do when it came to Jade. So, he kind of hid from her. He watched as Jade asked questions regarding one of the Authors new books or when she picked out a few books to buy. He felt like such a stalker but didn't know what else to do.

Luckily Jade never saw him. Inside, Jade was screaming. Didn't get why he couldn't just be there. It was a meaningless event and he couldn't even go. It was worse enough how he just walked out on her without a word. At least, she had her work and now the huge pile of books being rung up by the hot cashier working. Jade did feel a little guilty about the situation but honestly, she also felt that she shouldn't feel guilty about Kipp since it's not like they actually touched each other. It wasn't cheating, right? Jade shrugged her shoulders because in all honestly, it didn't matter now, did it? Smith was gone for good, apparently.