Once we got back to my house, we sat on the front steps and kept talking until midnight about memories from our past. Each of the kids from our neighborhood had caused trouble in one way or another, and James and I had been a part of it all. There was a common thread between us that tied us together, but I still felt emotionally exhausted from the choice I had almost made a few nights earlier, and I told him I needed to get to bed. He said he understood, and he got up to leave when I remembered that the wedding was the next night. Remembering plans was never my strong suit.
“James?” I said as he walked to his car. “I completely forgot to tell you, but the wedding is tomorrow night. Do you still want to come?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll meet you at the church at 4:00. Thanks for today. I had a good time. Good night.”
“Goodnight, Allie. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then he got in his car and headed home.
As I climbed the steps, I saw motion in the upstairs window. Why was Amy still spying on me? I decided to ignore it. Once I was in my room, I picked up the phone to call Isabelle. The suspense was killing me. I needed to know what happened after they left the mall.
“Hey!” she said on the first ring.
“Okay, I have to know. What happened with Chris after you left? Did he say anything about me?” She got very quiet.
“Do you really want to be opening this wound? You seem to be happy. James looks like a really nice guy. Plus, he’s gorgeous. Let Chris go,” she said. I knew she was right, and she was trying to guard my feelings as my best friend.
“I know I’m not supposed to care, but I can’t stop thinking about him, Isabelle. Please tell me,” I pleaded.
“Fine. If you really want to know, Chris seemed pretty ripped up seeing you with James. He said he wishes he could make the rumors at school stop, but that he is still upset about you turning Griffin in, but not as upset as he is about losing you.” Then she went silent.
The words cut me right back open. Hearing how he still felt about me made me drop the phone for a moment.
“Allie?” I heard, faintly, coming from the phone lying on my bed. “Allie!” it came again. I snapped out of it and picked up the phone again.
“Sorry. I don’t know what to say.”
“I told you,” she said. “Is there something between you and James? Be honest with yourself.”
“I think we’re just friends, Is,” I said truthfully. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get over Chris, but I also am not sure I can get past him abandoning me.”
“Exactly. How can you forgive him for giving up on you? Try to move on.”
“I’m taking James to a wedding tomorrow,” I said.
“Oh my gosh! He’s hot, Allie,” she exclaimed. “You don’t have to rush into anything,” she said, and I knew that she was right. I didn’t have to move on; I could just have fun.
“You always know what to say.”
“I hope you have fun tomorrow. That’s all you have to do, but you have to call me and tell me all about it. Promise?”
“Promise.”
“How are you and Watson doing?” I asked.
“He finally kissed me after Homecoming!”
“No way! That’s so exciting, Is!”
“Well, it’s nothing like you and…” Then she stopped herself. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“Love ya,” she said.
“Love ya, too.” Then we both hung up.
I grabbed my journal and decided to write about what I had almost done a few nights prior. I wondered if putting it into words would help me process the emotional rollercoaster that I have been on.
