The next two days Abi sulks, cries, and eats tons of ice cream. She keeps staring at her cell phone, but my stupid brother hasn’t texted or called. One time when her phone rang, she almost tripped over the kitchen table to pick it up, but it turned out to be her mom. Abi told her mom everything that was going on between her and Alek, leaving out some details about my personal life. She talked to her mother as if they were best friends.
My heart almost couldn’t bear their conversation, and a dull pain settled into my chest. Only after my morning jog did the dull pain dissipate. There’s something liberating about my jogs, no matter how slow they are. The longer I run, the more my worries transition into euphoria. Although it doesn’t last for a long time, I escape to New Orleans, eating beignets and drinking coffee. Consuming the art, music, culture.
I can’t stand that they’re not talking to each other. On the third day, after my morning jog, I decide I’ll help fix her relationship with Alek.
Abi is sitting on the couch with crossed legs. Next to her is a Ben & Jerry’s container with a spoon in it, and on the TV, an old episode of “Friends” is playing. But at least she’s not crying. Abi is focused on the newspaper in her hands.
“Tia, come here.” She doesn’t lift her eyes from the paper.
I sit my sweaty butt next to her, intrigued.
She finally shows me beaming eyes.
“A smile. This must be good.”
“The student newspaper.” She waves it while her smile broadens. “Gotta love it. Everyone on campus reads it. We get more info here than on social media. You have to hear all about their featured story. It’s about Victor’s school fight.” Abi doesn’t let me respond. Her words shoot out like cannon balls. “Apparently, Victor saw Noah, a freshman, getting taunted and called names at the back of a building. Victor walked into it and defended Noah. Noah gave an interview to the school paper editor and admitted he was kissing his boyfriend when three dudes came and started harassing them. One of them punched Noah in the stomach. That’s when Victor beat the crap out of the douchebag.”
“That’s why Victor didn’t tell anyone about what happened. It wasn’t his story to tell. Not only did he protect Noah physically, but he also protected his secret,” I say.
Just like he protects my secret.
“The police finished the investigation, and because of Noah’s coming forward and the footage from the security cameras, they’ve cleared Victor of any charges.”
I want to run to their apartment and kiss Victor, but I don’t.
Abi leaves the newspaper on the coffee table and instead picks up the ice cream. She’s about to put a spoonful in her mouth when I snatch it out of her hands.
“Hey,” she protests.
“I’m happy for Victor. But not for you.” I take the spoon and put an enormous bite into my mouth. “I love sugar.”Ouch! The coldness travels to my nose. “Oh, brain freeze.”
When I recover a few seconds later, I say, “Will you talk to me, please. We’ll finish the ice cream later.”
She uncrosses her legs and finds the remote to turn off the TV.
“I was…” She takes a deep breath. “I was hoping he’d move in with me to take our relationship further and soon propose. I love him and I know that he loves me, but I want him to commit. Especially if I plan to move with him to wherever he plays football.” Her eyes fill with moisture. “All these other girls are hitting on him even when I’m right there. Last time we went to a party, I lost count of the number of girls who pretended I didn’t exist and pulled him onto the dance floor.”
“But what did Alek do?”
He better not be stupid.
“He politely refused to dance with them.”
“Good. Cause I was going to have to talk with him, otherwise.”
“No, Tia, please don’t tell him anything I’m telling you. I don’t want to appear desperate and needy. Even the cheerleaders make me insecure. When they go on away games…” Abi shakes her head. “You have no idea the stories I’ve heard from his teammates.”
“But he loves you, Abi. I know it because I’ve seen it in his eyes when he’s with you. And when he’s not around you, I’m pretty sure you are all he thinks about.”
She wipes the wetness off her cheeks and takes off her glasses.
“Yeah, but lately he’s been… distant, distracted, disorganized.”
I sigh. I wonder how much I’ve contributed to Alek’s issues since we constantly argue and he’s been sleeping on the couch.
Abi is so radiant, but she can’t see it because of her insecurity. And her words resonate with me because Alek was a player in high school and I remember all the girls around him. He used to take advantage of his popularity and good looks back then, but now he’s a changed man, and it has to do with Abi. But she needs to see herself the same way Alek and I already do.
“I’ll help you, Abi. I know exactly what we need to do.”
