“Thinking about Easton again?” She gives me a sad smile.
“Stop looking at me like that,” I grumble, shoving a fork full of food into my mouth.
“Just give it time. Taylor says he’ll come around. It was a lot for him at one time. But I’m sure once some time has passed, things will get better.”
After Aria left with Taylor, and my conversation with Easton ended, I texted her. She returned to the dorm and opened up to me about everything.
She explained that the reason she drifted away from Tyler was because the more time she spent with Taylor, the more she realized that she might not like only men, and it confused her.
She blames herself for what happened between the two of them, but I shot that down fast. Just because she began developing feelings for someone else didn’t give him the right to cheat. He should have talked to her, and when they realized they weren’t meant to be, break up. It’s that simple.
Sadly, that's not how people think.
She told me nothing happened with Taylor until after she and Tyler broke up. Taylor didn’t know how she felt either, until the day I caught them kissing.
I guess I walked in on the big confession. I tend to have some of the worst timing.
When we talked, I told her I love her, I support her, and I’ll be there for her. Her new relationship doesn’t change how I see her.
Taylor and Aria are officially dating now, and though I’m happy for them, I also feel uneasy. I know they have reasons to hide their relationship, but everyone still thinks Easton and Taylor are together. Taylor isn’tcheating, but in a way, it feels like she is?
It’s not my situation, therefore I don’t have any right to judge them on it.
Maybe it’s just my own shitty past making me feel a certain way about it.
That’s why I shouldn’t be so pissed that Easton is avoiding me. What did I expect would happen? That just because he’s gay, we’re going to be together now?
I still have no idea if he has romantic feelings for me. If he does, could I weather a relationship with Easton while the world believes he belongs to someone else?
The idea turns my stomach.
“Whatever, I don’t care,” I mutter, looking down at the plate of food in front of me.
“Yeah, sure, keep telling yourself that as you sit there and sulk.”
“What do you expect?” I sigh heavily, looking up at her. “I found out that my ex-best friend, the guy who I kissed and then rejected me, actually did like me then? That he had feelings for me, and the reason he acted the way he did was out of fear? My head is a mess, Aria. There’s so much I want to say and do, butI can’t and fuck.” I sigh heavily again, tossing my fries onto the plate.
We’re in her dorm eating takeout before the football game.
I kind of invited myself to the game. She was going to go with Taylor, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to see Easton on the field.
“I’m a mess, okay? Leave me alone.”
“Hey.” She grabs my hand, tangling her fingers with mine. “I know, and I’m sorry. This sucks, but I’m here for you.”
“Who’s there for Easton?”
“I am.” Taylor steps into the room. “He’s still ignoring you?”
“How did you guess?” I grumble.
“Youlikehim, don’t you?”
“No.” I glare at her.
She grins, calling me out on my bullshit lie. “You do. And it’s okay.”
“No.” I shake my head. “It’s not like that. I just... I want to talk to him. Let him know I forgive him, you know? I want to put the past behind us and start over new. As friends. That's it.”
