in which joelle d'amore is completing her final semester of university in the grand city of los angeles, california. when she finds herself in the presence of harry styles, a piercing man with dangerous agendas, she is permeated with fear. she saw s...
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Sleep. I barely had any as I tried to make camp in the waiting room. I spent hours in an uncomfortable chair breaking down all the interactions I've witnessed between Matthew and August that I can remember. I needed to understand it all, but I know that wouldn't be possible without hearing August's side of the story.
Matthew's reason for not being honest with me is because he didn't want to lose me. I've stressed since then wondering what could be August's reason for not telling me the truth.
If I would have known about their hook-up since the beginning, things would've played out much differently. If going out with Matthew had made August uncomfortable, I would have surely backed off because that's the kind of friend I am.
Though, they chose to lie instead. They chose to hurt me by continuing their affair because maybe I wasn't good enough. I wasn't good enough to be August's friend and not good enough for Matt to remain faithful.
I don't deserve that.
Rosie had joined me in the waiting room. She expressed that she didn't want me to be alone. Since her mom planned on staying by Matt all night, Rosie had invited herself into the waiting room with me. I also didn't get much sleep because I spent all night watching over her. As much as I love Rosie, I wish she hadn't joined me. I couldn't close my eyes without feeling the paranoia of her getting kidnapped while I slept. Claudia would kill me if that were to happen.
"So you're leaving?" Rosie asks the moment I walk out of the gender-neutral restroom. I'd gotten ready in there, being the only place where I could brush my teeth, apply my makeup, and change.
"Yeah, I have an internship to get to. It's something I can't miss," I tell her, holding onto my bag as I let the door shut behind me.
"Oh, well you look so pretty," she then compliments me.
I smile at her and look down at what I'm wearing. Maybe I shouldn't have packed a satin top. I tuck in the noticeable wrinkle, attempting to hide it into the waistband of my straight-legged jeans. "Thank you, Rosie," I say, letting her hook onto my arm as we walked back to Matthew's room together.
If it were up to me, I'd leave without saying goodbye to him.
I greet Claudia with a good morning. I then look at Matthew. Nothing's changed. He still looks horrendous with his left eye swollen shut. I put on a smile just for his family. "I'm heading out to my internship now," I tell them.
"Oh," he speaks. "So soon?"
"I'm afraid so," I say, portraying disappointment when in reality I want to scream.
"Can I get a quick minute with Jo?" He then tells his family.
"Matthew-" I start, not wanting to waste another minute alone with him.
