Now & Then (A Newland High School story)

14. Two Months Later

"He's here. I think."

"Who?" Lexi asks, and I have to suppress my sigh.

"Who else would I be talking about?" I grip her arm, dragging her away from the party and down a hallway. At least we'll have semi-privacy. "I saw his motorcycle parked in front of the house."

"Okay Lilly. But...why do you care?"

"What do you mean? I care because..." I shuffle my feet, looking at the floor, unable to meet her eyes. "It's Aric. How could I not care?"

"Alright. This may not be the best time or place, but you're leaving me no choice." She bends down until her face enters my periphery before standing straight. I don't turn away. "You need an intervention."

"You've got to be joking."

"I'm not. Listen Lilly, you have got to move on. Or at least try to move on. Aric has somehow warped in your brain to be this perfect, devoted, unblemished boyfriend. He wasn't."

"What are you talking about? You liked him when we were dating." I cross my arms in front of me, feeling very defensive of my ex. "You even helped him at prom."

"I'm not saying he was horrible, but it's like you've forgotten all the problems the two of you had." She pauses, waiting for a response. She doesn't get one, so she continues. "Like how he wouldn't block his ex-girlfriend who texted him constantly, or the fact that he lied to you for months about selling drugs, and don't even get me started on how he ended things between you two."

"I suppose that could have been handled better," I agree reluctantly.

That may be putting it mildly. After the last time he came to my bedroom, he didn't respond to any of my texts or calls the entire next day. And when he finally did, it was quick, one-word answers. The next time he waited two days to respond. I'm not sure how long he would have let that go on, but I came to his house once I saw his motorcycle in the driveway.

And the argument that ensued that day is something I believe both of us regret.

The grand finale was Aric giving me an ultimatum: him or California, and my dream school. I was so mad that he was making me choose, that I left his house with one less boyfriend to worry about.

It's not been easy for me since. I couldn't believe that something that was so great, and brought me so much joy, could just be over.

But it was. I haven't seen Aric since that day.

I knew Derek was planning a big, end-of-summer party for everyone in our class and I had to be here—if even for just the possibility of seeing Aric one last time.

The fact that I'm wearing a skirt with pleating similar to that of my cheerleading outfit is purely coincidental.

"And I wasn't going to tell you this," Lexi settles my swirling thoughts. "But I've heard that he's hooked up with other people."

To my embarrassment, my eyes immediately begin watering. "Who told you that?"

"Henry." Lexi's on-again, off-again. "They were at some party like a month ago? And everyone saw Aric and some girl named Kristin go off alone together."

"Kristin? That's his ex." The one that he'd told me repeatedly was only interested in sex.

Lexi's eyes go wide. "Oh shit. I'm sorry, Lilly."

I nod understanding, sniffling as I do so. I don't say anything because I know the tears will start to flow. And the last thing I want is to be that girl—the one crying at party over an ex-boyfriend.