“That’s a lie. Don’t you try to put those thoughts in my head.” I say seriously, looking into her blue eyes.
Her face suddenly darkens.
“Fine. Stay oblivious forever, but don’t call me a liar. I know what I saw, and I know what I heard.”
This is not ending the way it should. Well, it’s not my fault for being the way I am. And it’s not my fault that she sees things that aren’t there.
“Fine.” I say defensively.
“Fine.” She says back, walking out the door.
That night I slept in my old room, sparing me from another speech or more disdainful scowls, from her or my traumatized dad.
33
I Do (Jake Cries)
I wake up, wondering why Allison’s snores aren’t drilling my ears, and then I remember we’re not currently speaking. Eye rolling and scoffs are the only interactions. This should be over by now, I mean, Thursday has already passed, and it’s Friday, the day of the wedding. This “fight” is stupid.
When I come down for breakfast with gym pants and a t-shirt, and let’s consider the fact that it’s already 2 PM, Allison is already there, with Riden and Jake.
“Riden, West. Sunny morning, isn’t it?” I ask, grabbing a piece of bread.
“Why are you mad at each other again?” Jake asks with his mouth half full.
Allison and I look at each other and remain silent. Even though we’re behaving like five-year-olds, we don’t ever break our trust in each other.
“Because Madelaine is stubborn.” Allison spits out, not revealing anything important.
“And Allison is dramatic and delusional.” I spit back.
“Who slept in the other room? Ah, that’s right.You. Who’s dramatic again?” She questions, not seated anymore.
“Do you think that I could bear my best friend sending me disdainful looks and sounds?” I raise my voice, anger boiling in my skin.
“And do you think I like to do so?” She asks back, appearing angry, but her voice does not go as high as mine. “Do you think I could bear seeing my best friend’s heart being shattered because she is too stubborn to see the truth?” She returns in the same tone.
Jake and Riden feel like they shouldn’t be hearing this conversation. I can see it by the way they are looking at each other and the way they shift nervously in their chairs.
“But it’s not your job to worry.” My voice lowers, almost whispers.
“Like it’s not my job to worry about you having a breakdown in a freaking castle?” She asks broken and betrayed.
“H-How do you know that?” My eyes widen, and I turn to the one person who knew. “You told her?” I say, my voice cracking.
Jake’s posture turns straight, and he looks at me worriedly.
“It slipped. I-”
“It doesn’t matter.” Allison interrupts. “Every fucking time I try to talk about your mother, you won’t open up! And then you go and open up to a boy you couldn’t even stand at the beginning of this summer?”
Jake agrees, pursing his lips and head going to the side, siding with her argument.
I let that sink in. It is messed up.
“I’m sorry.” I sincerely say to her. “I’m sorry for not opening up to you; you are one of the most important people in my life,but I can’t be sorry for not believing something you do.” I shrug, sighing.
Riden gets up and drags West outside, giving us space. Like a reasonable person. Now,Jakemade a face that screamed the investment he was having in our fight. Like he was looking for something in between the lines.
