Chapter 5
Made-up Mind
Hillary Beck
“Have some soup, dear,” Mom said, putting down a bowl in front of me.
“I am not hungry,” I said, wiping my tears. After Gale fired me, I had gone back home and told Erica everything. The poor thing had been so shocked, but she supported me. She held me as I cried, and she called Gale all sorts of names. She told me not to worry. That she would manage the rent and the food and everything else while I stayed there, but I had made up my mind. So, I packed my bags and went to my parents, wanting nothing more than to be with them. They could tell something was wrong the moment I had shown up at their door, but they hadn’t asked me anything. I was grateful to them for not asking me any questions. For giving me my own space and letting me deal with this. They knew I would tell them when I was ready.
“Who hurt you, lass?” Dad asked. “You know I would break his legs. Was it Joe?”
“No,” I said. “It’s nothing. I just needed a break, and I was missing you guys, that’s all.”
They exchanged glances with each other but didn’t push me, and I closed my tired eyes. I hadn’t expected things to end like this. I felt broken and shattered, like I was a china doll that had been cruelly thrown to the floor. I felt like I was in a million pieces, trembling and aching with the pain of losing someone I trusted and loved. How could he not let me explain?
How could he believe someone else so easily? Was our relationship so weak that he didn’t even try to hear me? Or were we just not meant to be?
It would be easy to give in. Easy to throw in my weapons and just accept my fate. Just accept the fact that he didn’t love me the way I thought he did. That Stella had won. I had warned him about Daniel. I had done my job, but if he chose not to believe me, then it wasn’t my fault.
And yet, I was worried about him. I was worried about him and how alone he was. He thought he had his best friend, but I knew the truth. He had no one right now. Daniel was going to destroy him if I didn’t stop him. Daniel was going to tell the world about all that had happened, about what Gale’s father had done. And it would ruin him.
As much as I wanted to loathe Gale for hurting me, I couldn’t help but worry about him. I wanted to save him, even if it was from himself. He was alone on the dark battlefield. His hands tied, his eyes blinded and his ears deaf to the plans of his enemies. He was surrounded by his foes, and he didn’t even know it.
But what could I do? Gale didn’t believe me. He didn’t listen to me. I knew there was no chance that I could convince him. I knew there was no chance he would ever listen to me. Why would he? He would believe his best friend over me, especially if he thought I was plotting against him. I was powerless. I couldn’t stand up to the likes of Daniel and Stella. They had everything planned, and I had nothing.
An idea suddenly occurred to me, and I sat upright. Jack. Jack could help me. Maybe Gale will listen to him. They used to be good friends at one point. Maybe Jack would listen to me and save Gale. I knew Jack hated me, too. He thought I was using him too, but I had to try. I had to talk to Jack and ask him for help.
I ignored the inner voice asking me to stop caring for Gale.He doesn’t love me!That he deserved to suffer for all the pain he had caused me, but I knew, deep in my heart, that I loved him. And love meant looking after each other, even when they hurt you. Love didn’t end just because another person broke you. Love stays through it all.
“I am going to help him,” I told my mom.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I love him,” I said. “I love him, Mom. He hurt me. He hurt me a lot, but right now he is in danger. I have to save him.”
My mother leaned over and kissed my cheek, smiling lovingly at me.
“Is he worth it? Is he worth this pain? Is he worth this struggle?” she asked.
I nodded, and she squeezed my hand.
“Whatever you need us for, we are here for you,” she said. “Go, save him. Do what you have to do. We are here by your side.”
I hugged my mom tightly before kissing my dad goodbye and running out of their house. I didn’t know where to find Jack or what to do, but I knew I had to try something.
I pulled out my phone and dialed his number, wondering if he would even pick up. My heart raced in my chest as one bell rang and then another, and I wondered if this was all for naught.
“Hillary,” his voice echoed on the other side as he picked up.
“Jack,” I whispered. “Can I talk to you, please?”
He didn’t reply, so I blundered on, determined to convince him.
“I know you despise me,” I said. “But Gale is your friend. He is in danger, and I need your help. I need you to help me save him from his enemies. Please, he won’t listen to me but maybe he will listen to you.”
“What do you mean?” he finally asked.
“I will tell you everything,” I said. “I will explain it all. Please, just help me save Gale, and then you never have to talk to me again.”
“Alright,” he said. “I will meet you.”
He ended the call and, sighing in relief, I turned around to head back to the house. And then I saw him, standing there and staring at me. For a minute, he just looked at me, and then he marched towards me, his eyes burning.
I thought he would shout or scream, but he didn’t. Instead, he kissed me.
