In A Perfect World | Novella

Chapter Five

My bags are packed. No way of knowing how long we'll be gone but he said to pack up enough stuff I was comfortable to bring and to bring enough cash with it. I did everything with guilt weighing down on me in one way or another. But through it all I kept reminding myself that this is just a road trip that we're taking as friends. There's absolutely nothing special about this. But of course - I knew I was lying to myself.

"So this is really happening, ooh, Ivy, finally getting it," Liv chirped, downing most of the final crumbs of the chips in a pack.

"Stop it." I say sternly, forcing my luggage to zip shut, keeping an eye on the time.

Today is the day after all. "I am not getting anything - I'm simply there for him as company. A new friend you know and...and besides we're trying to complete a summer long project and both want good aces so."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." She shrugged and I huffed, standing straight with my hands to my waist.

"Why are you so invested in this anyway? Shouldn't you be shouting at me and telling me how atrocious this is like... I liked this guy then suddenly, we're friends? Doesn't that sound like a whole bunch of red flags to you?" I let out. My frustration and guilt are true to my tone.

She raised a brow holding her ground and proving to me how ridiculous this whole thing is but she doesn't say it.

"At the end of the day, Ivy, this is your life - your decision. My opinions don't matter in any sense. And if you so want to know what my opinion is, it's that - I just want to see you happy and in love. It's been your dream since you were a little kid to fall in love and be loved back and you haven't made any moves to him - he did all that. Clearly he's got something too."

Damn. She makes a solid argument. Or do I just want to accept it because it's the better one against the 'I'm guilty and I'm a bad person for even agreeing to this' version.

"But like I said, if this feels wrong to you all over and I mean...if you've got not even an inkling of hope that you would ever get together then please...don't do it."

I opened my lips as if I was going to say something so meaningful. Something that would make enough sense to me-something that would somehow change the trajectory of this whole situation but it doesn't come. It leaves my mind in a tangle.

Then...three knocks on the door.

Liv and I shared a look until I watched her small smile gaining on her lips.

"He's early," I say and she cocked her brows. Before I knew it, we were both on our feet running to the door. My disembodied hisses of warning did not faze her whatsoever so when I got the chance I managed to shove her down to my roommate's bed and open the door.

"James, hey...you're early," I say, breathlessly fixing my hair. Confusion on his face would be an understatement but that's exactly what it is. His gaze lingered from me to behind me where I'm sure Liv is laying on the bed peacefully, drawing gestures at the boy on our door.

"Uh..." he cleared his throat, trying not to laugh. "You ready? We have a little window to beat LA traffic before the sunsets. We should be there before dawn."

"Before dawn? Malibu is like an hour away and it's...it's like six." I left the door open and he walked in.

"Yes but that's the straight shot version," he pointed out, sitting beside Liv who somehow manages to keep it together. Although that sneaky smile of hers doesn't exactly bode well for me.

"Ah right, canyon drive. Said you always wanted to drive through them." Pulling my suitcases to one side by the door, I grabbed my backpack and made sure that everything I wanted to bring with me was in there.