passports & adventure

“I guess I made a mistake.”

“Sure, yeah.”

“Do you think it was a coincidence that they managed to put exes on the show?” 

“An interesting turn of events.” 

“That’s putting things lightly.”

“There’s nothing to work out.”

“Then why pick me to take on a date when you clearly don’t want to be around me?”

“Hey.”

“So... that happened, huh?”

“Rich. Please. The situation is awkward and horrible, but we might as well use this time to throw our punches and work through what happened so we can at least get to a point of not being weird around each other and focus on being happy instead. Lifes too short.”

“Hey.” 

“Then maybe now’s my time to tell it.”

“Then please, by all means, tell it.”

“Tell them what? That I’ve been fucked over?”

“Yes. I don’t even care that you call it that, because yes, I fucked you over. Yes, it was stupid for me to just leave without saying anything, but at the time it felt like the right thing to do. We were both in over our heads going beyond what we were supposed to. Either way, it was as much your truth to tell as it was mine.”

“Not being forthright about it is just as shitty as lying. But whatever.”

“Yeah? So when did you tell Bailey, and the rest of the house? Oh wait...”

“Well—I don’t really care about that anymore. I just think you should be honest with everyone in the house so you stop looking like such an idiot.”

“What more do I have to be honest about? We sort of dated, I broke it off. I haven’t been dishonest about anything, if anything you’re the one sitting here making up ridiculous reasons as to why you brought me on this stupid date rather than someone you actually want to spend time with.”

“Yeah, I sure hope so.”

“Rich,” Tilly sighed, running her finger tips through her hair. “What good would it have done for me to stay? It sucked every time I wanted to leave, but I wasn’t ready to stay. And it wasn’t what we agreed on when we started things anyway. Either way it was going to hurt.” 

“Bailey and me will have plenty of other chances for dates, trust me.”

”Anyway, how else was I gonna get to talk to you about this?”

“So start talking and stop pointing fingers and telling me not to hurt Ian. You’re wasting your breath with that one, because surprise, the last thing I want to do is hurt him. I’ve already hurt him once, and luckily I tend to learn from my mistakes.” 

“Maybe if you tap your shoes together, all that’ll come true.”

“Right, because coming on a trashy reality TV show makes you so much more reliable.”

“You knew what you were getting into when we got involved, Rich. I’m sorry things changed and that I didn’t...” Tilly groaned, tugging at her hair before throwing it up in a messy bun. “Look, I handled things the wrong way, and I’m sorry that I hurt you in doing so, but I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want something more than a once or twice a month thing.” 

“Oh, I’m not just talking about the date. Just seems like for as close as you and Ian are, you haven’t really done enough talking for him to know what kind of person you really are.”

“He deserves that.”

“Are you kidding me?” Tilly laughed without amusement. “You have every right to be upset over how I did what I did, but what happened between us and what’s happening between Ian and I are two very different situations.” 

“I don’t really think I’m the person you need to be talking to.”

“Who should I be talking to when I’m on a date with you then?”