Rise From the Ashes

Chapter Nineteen: Played for Fools

(NARRATED BY TRAVIS GUILDER)

Once inside, we saw that everyone was already cleaning up. Lola ran up to us out of nowhere, a big smile plastered on her face. "Well?" she asked excitedly. "Are you two together or not?"

Sarah and I responded simultaneously: "No."

"We're just friends," I said. "I love Sarah like a sister. Nothing more."

"Yeah," Sarah concurred. "We're not like... well, you know... that." She sounded a little distant. I wondered if she was okay.

"Oh really? So, that's how brothers show affection for their sisters, huh?" Lola was tapping one foot with arms crossed and eyebrow raised. She didn't look convinced at all. "Well then, Travis, would you mind telling me what that speech was about?"

"Speech?" I echoed.

"Yeah, you went on about how perfect she was and how you care about her so much. You also said you loved each other multiple times. And let's not forget about that make-out session!"

Sarah frowned. "Make-out session?"

"Oh, that speech," I recalled. "I guess I was just confused. I didn't know what else to do."

Lola's expression remained.

"Look," Sarah told her in a weak voice, "we're just really good friends. We don't want that kind of relationship, I guess." She uttered the phrase, "I guess" as if she were asking question, refusing to look at either of us. I could tell she was taking this way harder than I was.

Lola scoffed. "But you told Travis you loved him in, like, a million different ways! Do you expect me believe that you didn't mean it?"

Sarah looked to me for backup. "Tell her, Travis. You don't love me like that... do you?" I could see that she was trembling. Her eyes were filled with fear.

Now I felt uncomfortable again. Sarah sounded hurt. Despite my intentions, I had done the opposite of what I wanted. I felt an agonizing desire to comfort her. I wanted to throw my arms around her and tell her that I loved her. But, at the same time, I didn't want to lead her on. The tough way out was the only way out.

I thought back to Elli's advice: "You need to tell Sarah that you don't love her. Tell her... Tell her you'll never love her. Don't be afraid to slam the door, okay? After all, it's for the best. The sooner you end it, the less it will hurt for her."

"No, Sarah. I do love you, but not like that—nor will I ever love you like that. This, I promise."

Sarah reacted as if she'd been stabbed. "H—How could you say that?"

Lola continued to eye me skeptically until, at last, she closed her eyes and sighed with disappointment. "Okay, you win. But I'll be there for you guys if anything resurfaces. I may have never been a loving relationship before, but I understand how people are and how love brings them together. So, if you really are in love romantically, I want you to know that you must take it seriously, for love is a very powerful thing. It works between family members, couples, ourselves and our divine creators, and even friends like you two." Lola's eyes were searing holes into my soul. "Love has the ability to heal..."

Without saying a word, Sarah abruptly turned walked away, breaking into a sob once she reached the door. Lola watched with a certain sadness in her eyes.

"...yet it can also break us."

* * *

Even though six hours had passed, it was still raining outside. I watched as everyone prepared to head off to the outskirts of the metro area. Everyone was dressed for battle, including me.