a need

Eric felt it was important to at least leave Olivia something for Valentines day. He'd just missed her when he stopped by that day with an empty journal and a new scented pack of jell pins at her house. Of course, he remembered the Charleston Chews. Those were her favorites.

Now he felt he'd intentionally left them when she wasn't there so he wouldn't have to see her. He wanted to, but he didn't. Texting, being online- wasn't that enough? Really? It had to be. Yet even this felt seriously like something other than friendship. Could it be something else?

There was Steve to think about. They had known each other a long time. Steve and Olivia. And well, they went to the same school. They needed each other. And he had to do this out of respect, too. It just wouldn't be right, after all.

Yet, he found himself reaching for his cell. Always waiting for a text from her. Something.

Honestly, he did think of her a lot. He hadn't meant to. Perhaps he was obsessed and didn't even know it.

He was walking around the school for some fresh air. Perhaps wondering if he should go for run. Get some exercise during this odd thaw of winter. His mother had been on to him that he was staying home too much. He never thought he'd hear that, but at least he was out and about trying his best not to check his cell.

And then he saw Ellie. Alone. It was near the tennis courts by the cement wall. They were alone.

Eric took a good look, at her hoping she might not look up or be talking into her cell. Quite honestly, she just looked lost to him. Well, he was going to walk on. Yeah, a good day for a jog, perhaps. That's what he'd do.

"We really need to talk." He heard her, but he didn't want too.

"Why?" Eric looked back at her. "Didn't you tell me all the things you meant to tell me, already?" He slightly winced.

"Well," Ellie sucked in a breath. "You never said anything. Not anything." She gave him a hard stare.

"What good would it have done? You made up your mind. Or so you said. Have you changed it now?" He stared at her to without a smile. Without anything.

"Yes." Ellie said. "No. No, you'd be angry still. You'd carry a grudge."

"That's how I am? Is it?" Eric winced.

"Yes," she nodded. "I think so."

"You must know me better than myself." He shrugged. "The thing is, if you hadn't broken up with me then. It would probably happen sooner or later, with or without Elliot. Because, well, I've been holding you back. I see that now. And there are so many other things to fall in love with. And I don't want you to miss out on that. And I'm sorry if- I made things difficult. Maybe I asked too much of you. I know I'm needy, and I'm sorry if I needed you too much."