Crystal Clear

Chapter Twenty Eight

GABBY

After another half hour of being stubborn, I unlock the door. Dee comes in and gives me a hug.

"You have to tell Tony—or Moe—or both, the truth," Dee says to me. I know she's right.

If I tell Tony I don't think it'd matter much, I'm not getting back with him, that's for sure. Ever again. For my life. But... then again, he can go to the press with it, tell people in Jersey, who knows...if the press knew, my mom would absolutely, indefinitely either A.) Kill me or B.) Disown me as her child. Nobody is supposed to know about this secret.

But those sound pretty bad too, if the press found out. I mean, for the press, what a lifestyle it must be to destroy people's lives with gossip and getting rewarded for it. I don't know how to handle the situation. Going through a life where you're recognized in an instant is... well, hard. Maybe Stanfield is good for me and I should just stay here. Clearly Matty and my dad need me.

But if the press find out my name is actually Gabby, after all this time of my mom saying it's Crystal, since the time I was born, really, that would look really bad on my mom.

If I tell Moe the truth, he wouldn't tell anyone because he likes me. Shit. Tony's downstairs right now with Moe. Moe probably knows everything. He could've told him everything by now, oh god, shit. What do I do? What the hell do I do?!
"Alright, I'll go down," I tell Dee so she'll stop bugging me about it.

I put on distressed skinny jeans and a rhinestone tank, with mismatched socks.

The jeans were so me—Gabby—and the tank was soo Crystal. Dee gave me different colored hair extensions to put in, so I did purple but left my natural hair color. I redid my makeup, but not too excessively.

I look at Dee who gives me a thumbs up and a smile and tells me I'm ready. I leave my bathroom, walk quietly down the staircase, where as soon as I step foot on the ground, Moe instantly rises. To admit, I probably do look ugly. My hairs still frizzy from the downpour of rain.

"We need to talk," he says immediately. Tony hushes him.

"We need to talk," Tony's angry.

"Listen Ga—,"
"Shut the hell up, man! Now Crys—," Shit.

But all of a sudden Tony stops.

"What the HELL are you wearing?!" he sounds disgusted.
"Clothes," I retort.

"I like you better without," he says hotly.

Moe's eyebrows raise, he's watching him.

"Can we talk privately please?" Moe pleads, I nod, grabbing his hand and leading him to my bedroom. I kick Dee out and tell her to handle Tony... in other words, get him out of here.

"I don't get you," Moe starts, as soon as I shut the door.

I sit down on my bed.

"What don't you get?"
"I don't understand by the way you look at me, why can't we be together. Why we can't tell this idiot that you're taken," he tells me clearly.

My mouth forms an O. This is what he's concerned about, at this very moment, after all I've been through today? He's not even mad about Tony being here?
"Gabriela, the only reason you love him is because you're afraid... you fear that just might be the only one that'll ever love you. Well, guess what, you're wrong. I'm here. I want to be with you. I'm your boyfriend for a reason." He is being so honest, so sweet, so passionate. My heart is racing.

I love Moe.

"Loving him wasn't a problem, getting attached was," that's all I reply.

There's a knock at my door.

"Crys! Open up!" Tony's shouting. I unlock my door and open it.

"My turn," he says, giving Moe a look and that's the hint for Moe to get out.

"Brace yourself," Moe mumbles to me before he leaves the room.

"I know this may sound pathetic, almost hopeless, but I have to try. The past, its done. Unchangeable. So why don't we move out, try new, fresh?"
"We're not the same people we once were, Ton. And I... I honestly want to hate you so much but I can't. And...and just because I'm able to survive it, that doesn't mean it was okay, what you did. We laughed til we had to cry, and love right until our last goodbye. And some people, they think that holding on is what makes someone strong, but really it's letting go. And to make you feel any better... you were my favorite mistake," I attempt to explain.

Then I get out from my bed and leave my room, ending this conversation. Tony trails behind me down the stairs, Moe, Joe and Dee all staring at us.
"Face reality, Crys, you love me."