Not only was I almost an hour late to the track meet, I didn’t bring my A game. Art’s version of a quickie was nearly a half hour. I let my coach and team down, completely bombing. Anneli was very vocal about her disappointment, using every profanity in the dictionary—some I’ve never heard. I’ve been staying with her all week, only going home this morning to get more clothes. I walk into Anneli’s bedroom, prepared to have my head bitten off. She lies across her bed, watching television.
“Why were you late?” She doesn’t take her eyes from the screen.
“I told you—”
“You’re fashion retarded. You grab any article of clothing you get your hands on first. It takes you less than sixty seconds to pack a bag, so don’t tell me that’s the reason again.”
I remove the chair stationed at her small work table, bringing it beside her bed before dropping into it.
“I told myself it’s only fair to let them both go.”
“But you can’t let Art go.”
“No.”
“You love him.”
“He has my heart.”
“Talk about complicated.”
“I was late because of him. It was only a matter of time before he confronted me.”
“What happened?”
“I tried to be strong, but with him, my defenses disappear. He called me out on my bullshit, and we argued. That’s not even the half of it.”
Anneli scoots to the edge of her bed. “I’m all ears.”
“Josh caught us kissing.”
“Do you think he’ll tell Trevor?”
“No, not with the threat Art left hanging over his head,” I say.
“What threat?”
“Remember I told you about Lilah and her big mouth.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot about that.”
“Art threatened to tell Trevor.”
“Your life is becoming a reality TV show.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Can I be honest with you?”
“Always.”
“What you’re doing to Trevor is really shitty.”
“I know. I’m a horrible person.”
The gossip mill couldn’t wait to spread rumors about our breakup, making going to school awkward for the last few weeks. The classes Trevor and I share are thick with tension. He doesn’t speak to me at all. If our eyes happen to connect, he quickly looks away. Most days, I steer clear of the cafeteria, preferring to eat lunch away from prying eyes. Plus, I don’t want to make everyone at the table uncomfortable. I’ve seen Trevor around the house, hanging out with Josh on the occasion I’m home to spend time with my mom or pack more clothes.
“Love is the deadliest poison known to humankind. It makes people do crazy shit, and once the emotion sinks its claws in, it travels through the bloodstream, refusing to offer freedom. There’s good and bad love, Cin. Art can only offer you the latter. I’m not telling you this to scare you, but as a friend.”
