What a godawful mess. It’s all my fault, and I hate myself for what happened. But I have something bigger to worry about right now.
Freda dragged Jayson home to clean him up and call his father. Mom sent Hailey up to her room and told her to stay there until she called her because she wanted to talk to me. I had to rehash the past twelve hours to Mom but left out the part where Jayson came through my window and we made out for hours after he declared he loved me. Yeah, I don’t think that would go over well.
I did, however, tell her that last night Jayson and I decided to start dating, and he was my boyfriend now. I also mentioned that he kissed me, and seeing him kiss me is what caused the fight between him and Ryder.
Mom was actually very understanding about everything, her parting words before I asked her permission to check on Jayson being, “It’s about time that boy made his move,” followed by “Your dad is going to have a fit that his little girl is dating now.”
She laughed about that one.
So here I am, standing on the front porch next door, wringing my hands together, wondering what happens next.
“Hey, Lizzie,” Freda greets me as she opens the front door to let me in. “Jay’s upstairs in his room where he will be grounded for the next week until we leave for our trip. But you are more than welcome to come in. I’m going to make some soup and bring it up to him.”
“How’s he doing?”
“Oh, he’s pretty banged up but he’ll live. Nothing some ibuprofen and an ice pack won’t take care of,” she smiles wanting to reassure me.“Honey, I’m not going to pressure you or make you feel uncomfortable by trying to force you to tell me your side of the story. Jay already told me what happened. How are you feeling about things, sweetheart?”
“What?”
“Jay told me he asked you to be his girl and you said yes. I’m assuming that is what the fight was about. But from my perspective, it seems as if you have been thrown in the middle of a tug-of-war between those two boys, and I can only imagine your confusion or how you must feel about things right now. I know you have your mom and dad and Hailey, but if you ever need someone else to talk to, I’m here too, sweetie.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Jameson.”
“You can go on upstairs. I’ll bring his soup up later. Do you want me to bring you some too?”
“No thanks. I appreciate it though. Is Julien upstairs with Jayson?” I ask as I start to ascend the stairs.
“No. Julien left a few minutes ago. Go on up, honey. I know Jay would love to see you.”
“Ok, thanks.”
I take my time walking down the hallway to the twin’s bedroom, examining the pictures Freda has hung all along the wall. One in particular catches my attention. It’s a picture of me and the boys last Christmas standing beside the six-foot snowman we built. Jayson is carrying me piggyback style and Ryder and Julien have their arms slung around each other's shoulders. Ryder has his other hand, his pinky finger, looped around mine. Sadness befalls me. Will things ever be the same for us again?
Whatever happens now, I promised my heart to Jayson, knowing full well I still have feelings for Ryder. I won’t be that girl, the one who pits one boy against another. Jayson’s my boyfriend now, and I have to show him the respect and consideration that title entails. It doesn’t mean, however, that I’m going to give up my friendship with Ryder. Both of them will have to learn to deal with our new normal.
I get to the twin’s door and give a soft knock before opening it. Jayson’s propped up on his bed, phone in his hands. He’s changed clothes and looks like he also took a shower.
“Hey you,” I walk in.
I’m taken aback by the smile he graces me with, or at least tries to, seeing as his cheek is swollen and he has a black eye.
“Oh, Jayson.” I rush over to his bedside, but he pats the bed for me to come and sit beside him.
“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault,” I declare.
“Liz, what are you talking about? Nothing is your fault. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine. I promised you everything was going to be ok. I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
“But what happened with Ryder, I have never seen him that angry before. You guys have never fought before. It scared the crap out of me. It’s all my fault. You wouldn’t be fighting if it wasn’t for me." A tear leaks out and falls onto the comforter on his bed.
Jayson sees my tear and grabs me, his body rolling over on top of me. The shock of having him press against me this way abruptly stops my tears. He puts his weight on his forearms that are positioned on each side of my head and clasps his hands around the back of my neck.
“Ry is my best friend. I will do whatever it takes to make things right... well, anything but give you up. I love you, princess. Trust me to make things right.”
“Okay.”
Our voices are nothing but a murmur.
Looking up at him, I press gentle fingers to his battered face. It may be bruised, but Jayson is still one of the most handsome boys I have ever seen. I decide to take matters into my own hands and lean up to take his lips with mine. He’s old enough to have stubble, and I explore the texture and feel of it by caressing my face along his. I keep things light knowing the bruise on the left side of his face must hurt and the cut on the corner of his mouth must sting.
