As Close As Strangers

Ten

"The video chat is still going."

I hung up. I should've hung up the first time.

"She doesn't mean anything to me. She never did."

I never meant anything to him.

My phone was ringing. It was from Luke.

"Ella." He said.

"No." I hung up.

Calum, Ash, Michael, and Luke proceeded to call me 49 times more until I finally answered Luke's last call.

"Ella!" He shouted.

"What."

"Just hear me out!" He said.

"K."

"He didn't mean it. He wasn't telling the truth. He onl-"

"Stop. Please, just stop." I said.

"But, Ella." He protested.

"He said it himself, Luke! I never meant anything to him. This relationship meant nothing! I mean nothing. I am nothing!" I cried.

"Ella, you aren't nothing!" He yelled.

"I am. You know, I always thought I was worthless. Guess I was right. Michael made me feel like life was worth it, you know? But after what he said... I don't think I can do this anymore." I explained.

"Ella, please don't do anything stupid." He warned me.

"First of all, the stupidest thing I ever did was loving Michael. Or maybe it was believing he loved me. And second, you can't stop me from doing something stupid. You're a million miles away right now. You heard him. I mean nothing. Might as well let him be right." I said.

"Ella stop it!" Michael screamed.

"Was that-"

"Ella, I'm sorry-" Luke started.

"You had me on speaker. You didn't tell me. Oh my god! I am so done with all of you! You know what, since I'm on speaker, I'll say it. All of you just stay the fuck out of my life or whatever is left of it! Michael, I hate you. And Luke, I thought I could trust you." I said.

"But he made me. He's my friend Ella. I've known him longer." Luke said.

"Oh, I get it. So because you've known him longer, there's no fucking loyalty towards me. Okay, got it. You know what, maybe all five of us will get lucky and I'll get hit by a truck or something!" I yelled.

"El-"

Click.