I've Changed

29. I lied

~~~~

I never thought this day could get any worse.

I've been mistaken.

"You did what?" Jae sounds so heartbroken.

He takes a step back when Cassidy gets too close. 

"This can't be happening," Malcom puts a hand on my shoulder, looking at me with concern.

I wasn't expecting for it to turn out this way. It has me feeling guilty all of a sudden.

"Jae, don't listen—"

"You cheated."

I look away from the scene. Everything about it is very disappointing.

Who knew? This was the exact spot I intended to break his heart.

I did not. Instead, he broke mine.

Now, a few years later, it has finally come true but not as I predicted. 

"I-I need—" he falls over his footing. "I need some air." He rushes out of the room, and away from the interrogating gazes.

"Party is over! Get out," Cassidy shouts at everyone to leave.

I shake my head at her, "You're getting worse and worse."

"You started this, Ellie. You can't say anything. It is none of your business to begin with."

"Do you hear yourself right now? You fucking hurt him," Malcom prevents me from advancing. "He loves you and this is the way you repay him."

"I don't love him," she says, glancing at Aaron with a suggestive look. A kind that says she's in love with someone else.

"Unbelievable. You're unbelievable. First it was—" I stop my train of thought.

I can't go there. Not yet at least.

And she knows it too, her head turns toward my direction as if I was about to admit it.

"I thought you had some decency after all that you've done, but what did I expect?"

"You wanted the truth. There you go."

Loopholes. Her whole family fucking loves them.

"Well, you didn't. It was not what I wanted. You're supposed to hurt me. Me! Not him!" I never raise my voice. I spent my whole childhood being taught that. Hence, when I do, I surprise everyone including myself.  "You're greedy, fake, and cruel. I'm glad they got to witness a true part of yourself that I've always seen."

She comes in close and says to my face, "Or maybe I'm tired of you taking everything away from me. You've always been greedy, fake, and cruel so don't point your insecurities on to me."

With that, she leaves me to go somewhere else.

My hands clench into fists, my nails puncturing into my palms because of how tight I have them.

"I'm fine, Malcom." I sense him pulling up to my side.

"Ellie," Malcom starts.

"I said I'm fine," I dismiss him.

"You doodoo head!"

I step back in time as Theo tackles Aaron to the ground. The few people who decided to linger, gasp in shock again.

"Theo!" Sofie yells at him.

It's too late to stop him.

Never in my life thought Theo was capable of any form of violence. I was wrong.