We Each Have Our Reasons

Chapter Six: Breathe Goddamn!

My eyes open and I'm immediately hit by the light coming in from my window.

“Oh goddd.” I groan and stand up. Ty is still sleeping, and snoring? Which is weird because she's normally the sleeping beauty. Alcohol makes the world go round.

I have just a slight headache. I'm glad I spent most of last night chilling with Tanae, and not drinking like a slob.

I walk to the bathroom and wash my face. I go to the kitchen to prepare something for Ty because the hangover is going to kill her when she awakes.

“Hey.” I say when I see my mom. “Riv, hi. Should I make you some breakfast?” she smiles. She's busy with some flour and aprons making God knows what.

“Uh no thank you. I don't really have breakfast.” I give her a small smile and continue making Ty's smoothie.

“Do you have any plans today?” she asks.

“It's Saturday, Tyler and I usually go out and stay up late watching movies or watching the stars or something.” I smile at the thought. Tyler is the closest thing I have to happiness.

“Oh okay. Have a great day then.” she smiles. “Thanks.” I grab the smoothie and some water apple cider vinegar and walk back to my room.

“Someone's up early.” I smile at Ty when I notice she's up. She's still laying in bed and looks like she's having a rough morning.

“Goddamn, my head hurts so bad.” she rubs her temple and her facial expression says ‘I want to die’

“Come, stand up.” I grab her arm. After a lot of fighting we finally get to the bathroom. I make her drink the water and practically force her to throw up. When your best friend is a party animal, you get used to it.

I give her the smoothie and some time to rest while I take a shower. I put on jeans and a top while Ty heads to the shower too.

I'm sitting on the couch, binge watching Friends, on a Saturday afternoon. My mom is, baking?

My phone vibrates under me and I pick up the call without checking the name pad – as per always.

“Sup?” I say in the laziest voice ever.

“Are you sleeping?” Tanae says. I smile because she called me? “Uhh, nope. Just really relaxed.” I snort.

“Oh. Well I was wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime?” I could hear her voice shrink at every word.

This is supposed to be the part where I say I'm busy or just hang up, but I like Tanae and I think she's cool to be around. So why the fuck not?

“Yeah, I'd love to. Just don't bring along that friend of yours who's crushing on me.”

I hear her chuckle a little. “I won't. We're not friends anymore so...when are you able to hang out?”

“Actually, I think right about now. You're cool with that?” I bite my inner cheek. Now I'm the nervous wreck.

“Sounds perfect.” she says and I finally breath out.

“Anything planned?” I ask her. “Yeah I'll pick you up pin your address to me.” she replies very confidently.

“Uhm, okay.” I smile, again.

“Okay bye.” she ends the call. I text her my address on the maps app and jog to my room.

“Ty!” I shout when I enter my bedroom. “Oh my god Tyler you could've said you're still busy.” I cover my eyes when I come across a half naked Tyler.

Who am I kidding, nothing I haven't seen. I just don't feel okay invading people's privacy like that.

“River, stop being melodramatic. Now why were you shouting all excited?” she rolls her eyes but with a timid smile.

“Do you know Tanae, she does tenth grade at school?” I ask while looking for my hair clip in my drawers.

“Tanae Wilson, Jaden's ex girlfriend?” she suddenly walks slowly up to me with a shocked expression from head to toe.

“Uhh...why are you saying it like she murdered someone?”

“Oh I did? No, no. Of course not. Why are you asking me about her?” she folds her arms and examines my facial expressions. Of course I can't stop myself from smiling.

“Goddamn River please don't say you like her...like that.”

“Why do you say it like it's a bad thing if I do?” I put the clip in my hair.

“River, you don't know her like that.” she walks to me so she's right in front of me.

“You don't know her like that either St Patrick.” I cross my arms. She bites her bottom lip nervously and breaks eye contact with me.

“Wait wait holl up, what are you not telling me?” I ask, she still doesn't look at me. “Tyler?” I raise my voice a little.

“Tyl-”

“Goddamit River let it go!” she raises her voice so now she's shouting. She sits on the bed and puts her hands on her forehead. “Jesus” she whispers.

“Tyler, what the fuck? Tell me what bothers you so much about Tanae dammit!” I'm now yelling as loud as she.

She looks at me. “I said let it go. Really, let it go. She's just not the type of person you'd like to be around!”

“You're not telling me anything! You can't expect me to stay away from her without giving me reasoning!” we're now yelling at each other so loud I'm sure the whole neighborhood can hear.

“Then go and fuck with her okay? I'm done trying to reason with you!” she stands up and throws on a t-shirt and shorts.

“Tyl-” I grab her arm when she walks past me but she pushes my hand away and walks out of the room.

“You're not being fair right now!” I yell after her.

“Shut up!” she yells back and a while later I hear the front door slam. “Jesus.” I whisper. I can't believe she's fighting with me because of this.

I grab my jacket and head outside because Tanae got here early.

“Hey, are you okay?” she asks when I enter her car. I can feel my throat closing up and my eyes start steaming up.

I open my mouth and try to say something but no words escape.

“River!” I can hear Tanae but she sounds like she's in the distance. The water is just running down my cheeks now.

My breathing is escalating and my chest is closing up. I start shaking so much it makes me feel numb. My blinks are getting heavier.

“Breathe goddamn!” she sounds far off. I can feel myself shaking extremely and losing my breath.

My eyes give up.