Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Gracie threw out the letter that went home, and after a disgruntled mumble, Mom agrees to let me borrow her car. I practically had to beg her. After she had no idea where I was on Friday night, she’s still pretty upset.
Dad reminds her I’m an adult, but she reminds him that I’m still living under their roof. It’s a constant conundrum that has me realizing I need to get a job and a place of my own fast.
Needless to say, there was a lot of tension this past weekend, despite Gracie telling them I was at a friend’s house. Problem was, Gracie couldn’t think of my friend’s name quick enough, plus she was worried herself.
I grab a bottle of wine from the store, before making my way to Deb and her fiancé’s house.
The first thing I see is his car, which isn’t all that surprising. We haven’t spoke all weekend, and I knew he couldn’t stay away.
I ring the bell, and Deb’s fiancé answers.
“Matt, right?” I offer my hand.
“Hi, Luci,” he places his hand in mine. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Luci!” Deb walks over.
“Hi,” I give her a hug, handing her the wine.
“Oh you shouldn’t have,” she smiles.
“Hello,” Josh stands as I walk into the living room.
“What are you doing here?” I ask coldly.
“I want to talk.” He has his begging face on.
“We’ll leave you two alone,” Deb backs away, pulling Matt by his shirt. “Sorry, Luci,” she offers an apologetic smile. “I tried to not let him in, but I forgot he has a key.”
“It’s okay,” I sigh, before turning to Josh and shaking my head.
“I don’t have anything to say to you. I thought we had this all worked out. Now a letter went home! I haven’t even begun to think about what to say to my parents. The next PTA meeting happens, and I’m sunk.” I sit down on the couch, frustrated. “What happened?”
“It wouldn’t have worked,” he walks over, taking the seat next to me. “You think that’s all she wanted? One date?”
“No,” I sigh. “But I was hoping it would buy us time to come up with something better.” I stand up, even though I just sat down. I’m so annoyed over him making these decisions without even taking me into consideration.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t do it,” his voice softens. “I’m not risking us again,” he points between us. “Luci, I’m done playing games.”
“But you already risked us again! You once again made a decision without consulting my feelings!”
I fall silent after my outburst, and he does too. We hear Deb and Matt lowly talking in the kitchen, mixing with the sound the dishes clanking.
“You told the principal we’re dating?”
“I had to. That’s how it makes the most sense,” he explains. “How people could confuse us from when you were my student, because we’re dating now,” he sighs. “And really,” he lowers his voice, “After the other night are you still so against us being together, and if so, HOW?”
I laugh at his joke about our mind-blowing sex.
“Why is it the first thing I want to do each morning is see your face? Why?” There’s exasperation to his voice. “Back then - now - it hasn’t changed. I woke up Saturday happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life.”
I put my hands up to stop him, but he immediately shuts me down.
“I know,” he surrenders. “I know I hurt you. I know I made numerous mistakes, and clearly I’m adding new ones to the list everyday, but can you not feel this?” His walks over and his hand brushes my cheek. “Tell me you don’t and I’ll leave you alone.”
“You know I do,” I whisper.
“Yet you say we’re friends,” he rages on, letting out a cruel laugh before backing away. “I don’t do what I do with you with friends. I don’t feel the way I feel about you with friends.”
“So what are you saying?” My lips are trembling.
He drops his hands, my face tingling from his touch.
“I can’t be friends with you,” he sits me back down, only in the chair this time. “Yell at me, lash out at me, shout about how much you hate me, accuse me of being cruel and cold. I won’t make anymore excuses or try and sooth you.”
I give him a confused look.
“Get it all out now, Luci, because once you do, we're never going to speak of what an ass and idiot I was again,” he swallows, kneeling down in front of me. “Once you say everything you need to, we’re going to give us our all.”
“But-”
“You have a choice, and unlike me, you always seem to make the right one,” he chuckles. “So you can sit in this chair and yell and scream at me, or you can walk away. Leave my sister’s house tonight and I’ll never bother you ever again, but I can’t be your friend.”