Maria turns to look at me, first with shock and then with what I think is a pissed expression on her face.
“Good morning, Mrs. Teasdale. No, ma’am. I actually came by to talk to Maria for a second if that’s ok.”
“Of course, dear. Maria, I can take over until you get back.” Maria doesn’t argue and warily walks around the counter toward me.
“Hey, Mar. Did you want to go outside or something so we can talk?”
She shrugs. “Fine.”
We walk out and she sees Hailey at the bench. “Great. You’re tag teaming.” She plops down on the bench, arms crossed.
“What’s going on Mar? Why have you been avoiding me the past few days?”
She scoffs at me. “Like you don’t already know.”
“No, I really don’t. That’s why we’re here. You're my best friend, Mar. Please talk to me.”
She scoffs again, then huffs, crosses her legs one way then another. “Ok. Fine. Ryder broke up with me.”
“Yeah, he told me. I’m so sorry.”
“Of course he fucking did,” she snaps at me.
Hailey jumps in. “Hey. Cut it out. Why are you mad at Lizzie? She didn’t do anything.”
Now Maria snaps at Hailey. “Are you fucking kidding me right now Hailey? It’s always been about her. It’s been three goddamn years since she started dating Jay, and he’s still in love withher, still wantsher. I never stood a chance.”
“Mar-”
She turns her anger on me again. “Don’t Mar me. Do you know how it feels to fall in love with someone who doesn’t love you back because he’s still in love with someone else? Do you know how that feels, Liz?” She jumps up and shakes her hand at me. Several students walking by slow down to watch our scene unfold.
“You chose Jayson. The day Ryder asked me out, that was the happiest day of my life. I was like, finally, he saw me. He sawme, not you. I have bent over backwards for a year trying to make him happy, make him want me. I was an idiot. He never wanted me. I was just a distraction for him while he continued to pine away for you!”
“That’s not fair! I’m not responsible for your relationship problems.”
“You’ll never understand. You have those three boys wrapped around your finger. Their princess. Isn’t that right? You’re a selfish bitch who keeps stringing Ryder along. You want everything and have to give up nothing.” Her verbal daggers hit their target. Have I really been doing what she’s accusing me of?
“That’s enough, Maria,” Hailey grabs her arm. “You don’t know shit. Ryder, Julien, Jayson, and Lizzie have been best friends since they were little.”
“Jesus, not this again. You forget, Hailey, that I’ve been around too since the third grade. I know all about their ‘special bond’,” she air quotes.
“Yes, they do have a special bond. Something that existed way before you and Lizzie started hanging out and became friends. Something unique and special and I would give anything if I could find something like that. But am I jealous of my sister because she has something that I would love to have too? Hell no! You’re the one being a petty, selfish bitch. Not her. I can guaran-damn-tee you that nothing has ever happened between her and Ryder. So if Ryder wanted to dump your ass, that’s on him. Not her. And if you believe otherwise, you don’t deserve her friendship.”
Wow. Hailey’s passionate speech in defense of me takes me by surprise. Not as surprising as what comes out of Maria’s mouth next. “That’s fine with me. We’re no longer friends, Liz,” she looks at me. “Leave me the hell alone.” She storms back into the main office. I can see Mrs. Teasdale looking between the both of us, concern on her face, but she says nothing to Maria when she stalks back over to the copier machine.
“What the hell just happened?” I ask Hailey, and then I burst into tears. Hailey pulls me up off the bench and tells me we’re going to the girl’s restroom to wash my face. I look through the office window at Maria, but she won’t look at me.
Hailey notices a few of the onlookers have their cell phones out. “Enjoy the show assholes?” she snarls at them. Wonderful. I’m sure this will be posted before the first bell rings and I’ll have to put up with snickers and nasty comments all day. Jayson and Ryder are going to be so pissed.
We go inside the restroom and thankfully, it’s empty. Hailey tears off a paper towel, wets it, and hands it to me.“Thanks.” I rub underneath my eyes to get the mascara smears off. I don’t wear a lot of makeup, so once I no longer have raccoon eyes, I apply some lip gloss and wash my hands.
“Screw her, Lizzie. Just screw her. That was the biggest pile of denial bullshit I have ever heard.”
“She’s my best friend, Hales. I didn’t know she was so angry with me. Why didn’t she come talk to me? I don’t understand. I have always supported her relationship with Ryder. I may have not liked it at times, but I supported it.” Fabulous. More tears. I rip another paper towel off and dab the corners of my eyes.
“Real friends don’t treat each other that way. Could you imagine what you would do if Brea did that to me?”
“I’d kick her ass even if she is Ryder’s sister.”
