“Carly,” I said, and for a second, I was sure she would turn on her heel and walk away. But she didn’t. “I am sorry,” I tell her. “I am sorry for what I did to you. I miss my roommate. I miss my friend. Do you forgive me?”
I was waiting for her to say no, but Jami nodded curtly, just once, and cleared her throat after a moment of silence. “It’s fine,” she said. “Jake is at fault, too, and I’ve already forgiven him.”
I was not surprised by this, just irritated that she would forgive him before me, but I knew now was not the time. I’d take her forgiveness and run with it if I had to.
“Enough with the awkwardness,” Jason thundered, slapping a sheet of paper down on the table in front of Jami and me. “There’s a party tonight on Fifth Street. It’s supposed to be lit. Everyone is invited.”
“Ugh, parties,” Jami said with a shake of her head. “Just an excuse for a bunch of idiots to get drunk and rub up on each other. Hard pass.”
“You’re missing out,” Jason said, and there’s something new about him that I couldn't quite place ... he’s different somehow. Less quiet and more forward, blunt, like he’s got some point to make. Only, I didn’t know what it was. “What about you?” he asked, turning to me. “Are you up for a good time?”
“I really should stay home and study,” I mumble. “I’ve been slacking recently.”
“That’s too bad because I could use a date,” Jason said with a self-assured smirk. And while that stupid smirk made me want to slap him across the face for some reason, I looked over at Jami, who shrugged. It was Carly who smiled this time.
“Just come, Ren,” she said sweetly. “I think we could all use some friendly heart to hearts.”
I took the paper from where it sat on the table and then folded it neatly, shoving it into the side pocket of my backpack. “I’ll think about it.”
“Right,” Jason said, straightening up. “I’ll see you at eight.”
“But I ...” Before I could finish my sentence, Jason and Carly walk away, vanishing around a corner. Jami and I watch them in silence until they’re out of sight.
“That was weird,” Jami said with a slight shake of her head. “I didn’t know they were friends.”
“I don’t think they are,” I said curiously. “At least, they didn’t use to be. Not that it’s any of our business, I guess. Whatever makes their negative feelings towards me ease up, right?”
“Right,” Jami said, but she didn’t sound convinced. “Are you going to that party?”
“Should I?”
She shrugged, looking uneasy. “I know you’re trying to take your focus away from the boys, but I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
“I don’t know, James,” I said, getting to my feet. After a second, Jami follows suit. “Maybe this is exactly what I need ... to go to a party, have fun, and get my mind off those three stooges.”
Jami throws her arm around me as we walk, and I rest the side of my head against hers, grateful, as always, to have a friend that has always supported me ... even if the decisions I make aren’t necessarily the right ones.
But who knows? Maybe this party is exactly what I need to get over Matt, Aaron, and Jake.
Or so I could hope.
