Ten minutes later, I’m jumping into the pool to start my thirty minutes worth of laps. I haven’t seen my former best friend back here since after the first time we kissed. That feels like a lifetime ago. Fuck, I was such a dick. Still am, but I’d like to think I’m somewhat better now that we’ve spoken and set limits.
A couple of laps in, I try to clear my mind, yet it keeps going back to the fight I just overheard, and it reminds me of the argumentsIused to have with Ana.
A little under three years ago…
“Admit it. You were flirting with Olive, weren’t you?”
“For fuck’s sake, Ana, I was not flirting with her. We’ve talkedabout this. Remember the two-hour-long conversation we had about this exact topic a couple of months ago?” I sit on her bed and exhale a long breath. “What changed?” I’m fucking exhausted.
Ana rests next to me and covers her face with both hands. Her shoulders shake, and a soft sob escapes her.
“Babe, what’s wrong?” I try tugging her closer to me, but she doesn’t lean into my touch. “Talk to me, Ana, please.”
She takes her hands off her face and stares at the ground. “Graduation is only a couple of months away. You promised to go to Driscoll with Kamila when you know I don’t have the grades to go. You’re leaving me here, all alone.” Tears stream down her face.
What does this have to do with Olive? “I told you about Driscoll when we first started dating before I knew Kamila wanted to go. I don’t even know if I got in yet. What’s really bothering you?”
She turns to me with a hardened expression. “Are you in love with my sister?”
My hands leave her shoulders, offended by her accusation. “You know the answer to that, Ana. How dare you.”
She sprints up from the bed. “How dareI?”
Towering over her, I lower my voice. “I have never looked at Kamila that way. I have never touched Kamila that way. I’ve never thought about Kamila that way. So, yes. How dare you question my loyalty to you and my respect towards your sister.”
Her eyes soften and she starts crying again. “I’m sorry, you’re right. I’m just scared of being alone and of you meeting someone else out there while I’m stuck here in a stupid community college.”
I’ll never get used to her crying. It always causes an ache in my chest.
“Babe.” I lift her chin gently. “I have no idea where I’m going yet. I haven’t gotten any acceptance letters in the mail or online, but no matter what happens, we will make this work. I told you I wouldn’t give up on us as long as you didn’t, okay?”
She turns back to her bed. “But would you still go to Driscoll with Kamila if you got accepted?”
Fuck.She’s not listening.
“Wouldn’t you want me to go to one of the best universities in the country with or without your sister?” I wait for a response, yet I’m met with silence. “It won’t change us. I won’t be far. I’m getting a car soon and the bus is always there. Weekends and holidays are for us,” I say with what I’m hoping is a comforting voice.
She looks up at me with a distant, almost cold look in her eyes. “I’d like to be alone now, please.”
“Unbelievable.” I grab my jacket to leave. “I’ll talk to you later then.”
She’s now staring at her phone screen, no tears in sight. “Yeah, I’ll call you.”
That was dry. I close her bedroom door harshly and head towards the stairs.
“Are you okay?” Kami’s voice causes me to jump.
“Fuck Kamila, you scared the shit out of me.” I look at her concerned eyes and to Ana’s door. “Were you eavesdropping?” I bite out.
She shrinks. “Not on purpose…the house is quiet, and, well, you guys weren’t.”
“Then put some damn headphones on next time.”
She rolls her eyes and goes back into her room. I’ll apologize later. It’s not her fault that I’m in a pissy mood. I never use the tone I just did while talking to her and I know I’ll feel like an ass about it later.
I’m putting my jacket on near the entrance when I hear a door slam upstairs. I start mentally preparing myself for another argument with Ana, but Kamila emerges with her puffy jacket on.
I look at her skeptically. “Where are you going?”
