When we get to Bowie’s, they let me in, and I immediately fall face-down on their couch. I wish it would swallow me whole. But before I can even get comfortable, Bowie prods me in the shoulder with their knee until I roll over.
“Uh-uh. Come help me with this basghetti.”
“What’s to help with? Boil water. Cook pasta. Drain. Add sauce.”
“Nope. I need your help.”
“Bowie...”
“Jackson.”
They keep staring at me, one eyebrow quirked.
“Ugh. Fine.”
So I fill a pot with water while they get out the spaghetti and a jar of sauce.
It’s only basghetti if you make it with sauce from a jar.
“What happened?” they ask as we wait for the water to boil.
“You’re going to be mad at me.”
“Maybe. But I’m still your friend. What happened?”
So I tell them. About me and Liam getting caught at swimming. Jasmine freaking out. Stealing my lists. Liam breaking up with me. Dr. L kicking me off the show.
“You know the worst part? Right before it all happened, I told him I loved him.”
Bowie’s eyes soften. “You did?”
“And he said he loved me back.” I’m crying again, tears pooling before streaking down my face to soak the collar of my shirt. “He said he loved me. But then he broke up with me anyway.”
My lips quiver.
“I messed everything up. With Jasmine. With Liam. With you.”
“Oh, we’re doing me now?” Bowie asks.
I try to laugh and cry at the same time. It only comes out as a hiccup.
“I should’ve been a better friend to you.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry. I know it was shitty. I made everything about my relationship.”
Bowie adds salt to the boiling water and tosses in the pasta. They turn back to me, arms crossed.
“You did.”
“I don’t know why I did. But I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please don’t give up on me.”
They look at me like I’m speaking French.
“Seriously, Jacks? Apologize in one breath, make it all about you in the next?”
I swallow. They’re right.
