Hey Mic,
I wanted to thank you and Thane for giving me a place to stay after the leak in our apartment.It means a lot to me. But I can’t stay here any longer.
I’ve packed my bags and I’m leaving. I’m sorry I didn’t give you a heads-up or say bye. I’ll be staying somewhere temporarily while I hunt for an apartment. Please don’t feel like you have to tag along. I’ve seen you light up living in your old home again and you deserve to be there. I think I can room with some of the girls on my cheer team. Otherwise, I’m good on my own too. I know you’ll feel guilty about me doing this, but you don’t have to. Though we won’t be roommates anymore, we’re still best friends.
Speaking of best friends, I need to confess something. I’ve never liked lying to you and this has been eating me alive for quite some time. Maybe you already know because Thane told you or maybe he hasn’t yet, but you still deserve to hear it from me.
Last night, I didn’t call a cab. When I stepped out of the party, Hank was following after me. He tried to force himself on me and Thane was there. He’d been waiting for you, me, and Addie to leave the party so he could trail after us to make sure we got home safely.
Thane’s the one who punched Hank.
Then I left with him and we ended up in a motel room.
I’ll spare you the details, but we crossed some lines.
I’ve liked Thane since I first saw him on the football field, before I even knew he was your brother. And I wish I could say I’m sorry for acting on my attraction to him, but I’m not. I don’t regret what happened, but I do regret the hurt this may cause you when you read this note.
I’m sorry for going behind your back and for risking our friendship. I’d wanted Thane for so long that I threw caution to the wind.
I hope you don’t hate me.
For what it’s worth, my feelings for him were genuine.
Thane doesn’t want me the way I want him and that’s okay. One day, I think I’ll find the person who can love me the way I’m desperate to be loved. But for now, I just need some time to lick my wounds in peace.
Come Monday morning, if you’d like to catch up over coffee, let me know.
And if this is the end of our friendship, I totally understand.
I just hope one day you can forgive me.
All my love,
Marlow
I’m reeling by the time I finish reading her note, the piece of paper nearly crumbling under my hard grip.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Marlow really thinks I don’t want her. How could I have made her feel that way?
I thought by telling her that I needed to do the right thing and speak to Michaela, she understood that I wanted my sister to know the truth about us.
Because I had no intention of hiding my relationship with Marlow from my sister.
But it’s obvious I wasn’t clear enough.
And accidentally, I hurt the girl I’ve fallen for.
I hate myself for doing that to Marlow.
I’m not supposed to cause her any pain. I’m supposed to alleviate it.
“I’m not mad at either of you,” Michaela breaks the silence, seeing the turmoil on my face. “You’re both consenting adults. If anything, I’d be happy if you ended up with Marlow. She’s the kindest, sweetest, most understanding person ever. She’d be perfect for you.”
Perfect. That’s the word. The only word to describe Marlow.
“I have to make this right. I-I have to talk to her,” I stammer. “She needs to know what she means to me.”
