My Girlfriend's Ex (StudxStud)

37

Beatrix

"Beatrix! Beatrix!"

"Bro, I swear I've been hearing someone calling your  name for the last couple of minutes," Vonna turned to me holding the mask they had given her to help with all the smoke that had gotten into our lungs.

"It's probably the smoke inhalation," I shook my head.

"Or someone who's been calling your name for the last couple of minutes," Vonna said again. She stood up from the stretcher we both sat on and hopped down from the ambulance.

"Vonna," I hissed, "Where are you going?"

"To check it out. It might be one...of your friends," she shrugged.

"Since when have I had real friends?" I snapped.

"Shush."

"Vonna?"

I got down too, setting down my mask. "Jeredine, is that you?" I came to stand besides Vonna, still a little dizzy.

"What are you doing here still?" Jeredine turned to Vonna. "I had to sneak past all the cops to get past the barricades."

"I stayed after to check on Beatrix," Vonna stated, "your crazy ex started the fire."

"Crazy ex, huh?" Jeredine looked back at my charred house, "Never would have expected A'livia to do some shit like this."

"She didn't make it," I added.

Jeredine stared at the house a moment more, as if we all might see A'livia in the window waving back at us.

"I guess that...I don't even know how to feel about that. I'm not relieved, just sad she didn't have enough time to figure out who she really was."

"Well, now I have bills to figure out," I grumbled, "I worked hard for that place, man."

Vonna's gaze snapped over to me.

"What?" I frowned.

"We needa talk," she said seriously.

"Speaking of talking," Jeredine interrupted us, "Your little sweet baby is either back there or she told the driver to leave. She's mad because I wanted to come back after hearing about the fire on your street," she explained, "she didn't want you to get mad for coming back to check on Beatrix."

"Wow, so she doesn't care anymore," I huffed, "Not surprised."

Vonna sighed, "This all...this isn't what I wanted."

"Maybe it'd be better if you left," Jeredine proposed firmly. "A'livia is gone and now...I think it's time for you."

"Don't say that," I snapped, glancing over at Vonna.

"Beatrix, you don't really have a say in this-

"And why not? Because we're not together anymore? Well, we once were."

"So what's this," Jeredine gestured between the two of this, "Rekindling old flames?" She chuckled at her own pun, "Too soon?" she noticed my expression.

"She saved me, that's all," I said self consciously, taking a step away from my ex.

"I don't have anything to say. Maybe I should leave," Vonna shrugged.

I looked over at her, a deep longing in me. I looked away, back at my house. "Maybe that would be for the best."

"You can't run away from all of your problems though. If I had just...been a better person, maybe there would have been a future here for me in Aster Waters. With Beatrix...or with Liberty."

"So, you. What are you gonna do?" Jeredine turned to me.

"I don't know. I don't even know what I'm supposed to be feeling right now," I admitted.

"If Vonna was a better person, would you date her?"

I stared at Vonna: her ripped clothes, her tired eyes, her soft lips. "Yes."

"As Liberty's former friend, I shouldn't be saying this, but I'll go ahead because I'm tired of that crybaby fuck: Maybe you two should try at something."

"I need to let Beatrix's heart rest. I've hurt her too much," Vonna said, her expression guarded.

"Maybe counseling. Couple's therapy," I whispered.

"What parent is finna pay for that?" Jeredine eyed us.

"I can. If I have anything left after all of this," I waved my hands around.

"I don't think I'm worth it. I'm scared that I'll hurt you even more," Vonna admitted.

"Why don't you live with your parents?" came from Jeredine.

"That's personal," I stated firmly.

"You never told me why either. How are you gonna get all of this back alone?" Vonna peered at me.

"It's personal," I repeated in a final tone.

Jeredine sighed, "Where are you going to stay for the night? Everyone you know has parents they have to check with first."

Vonna looked up at the setting sun, "Liberty should be home by now. I should be at home by now. My mom is probably freaking out."

"Everyone I know has turned out to be judgmental, mental assholes," I scoffed.

"Hey, what about us? We're here for you," Jeredine
gestured between Vonna and herself.

"Thanks. I just...never thought-

"Life throws shit all the time. That's why we have to put up strong mental fences, like zoos do for monkeys. You can't let yourself get worked up over of things out of your control. Did you directly set fire to your house? No. Did you piss A'livia off and maybe add a factor to her wanting to light the bitch up? Yes. But all we can do is pick up the pieces."

"I thought you hated me," I sniffled as I hugged Jeredine.

"I did. But I also hated Vonna too at one point, so don't feel special," Jeredine smirked into my shoulder.

"We need to talk," Vonna tapped my shoulder.

"Okay," I pulled away from Jeredine, promising to come back as Vonna pulled me off to the side.

The smoke from the fire was heavy in the air, the smell coating almost everything. The sky was nearly dark and all I could hear were people talking and rallying up the damages. Emergency vehicles scattered around as neighbors asked questions.

"I know what you do. Who you are," she began.

"I don't get what you mean," I said slowly.

"I think you do. A factory ring a bell?" she frowned.

"Vonna, you don't get it-

"I might not but I know you need to stop. What if Chad didn't target Liberty because she tried to pickpocket him- what if that was only a small coincidence and he had planned to trap Liberty in a deal to get you closer to him? Even if the two of you have went your separate ways, you still have friends and this town to protect. To consider."

"Seeing everything I worked for ruined has showed me I don't wanna continue that line of work-

"Good," Vonna said firmly.

-but then what will I do? I'm 18, finna be a senior. I'm already behind in the world and I don't have anyone to stay with."

"Where are your parents?" Vonna asked softly.

"If I tell you what happened to me and why I chose emancipation, will you judge me?"

Vonna sat down on the curb of the street, patting the concrete besides her.

I inhaled sharply, something that hurt my lungs, and began telling my story.