The Secrets Between Us

Tears

The ride home was the worst.

There was this gut wrenching empty feeling in the pits of my stomach. "Im Done". Jemal's words kept repeating over and over in my head. "To think you were my bestfriend". Ugh. I really screwed up. I was doing all this so he wouldn't find out my secret, but now I don't see how anything could be worst than this. I'd rather him know then him hate me as a friend.

When I drove into my neighborhood I passed Jemal's house curious to see if he was home. He hadn't made it home yet but his sister was there. Me and Jemal's sister use to be close until she got a boyfriend, and I could really use one of our talks right about now. So besides my better judgment, I hoped out the car and walked up to their front door.

"Hey Jocelyn" She greeted me at the front door. "What's up, I haven't heard from you in a minute"

You know that moment when your upset and you're holding it all in, but as soon as someone asks you how you're doing it all comes out at once? Well yeah, this was one of those incredibly annoying moments.

"Everything is going wrong and I don't know what to do" I said in between tears.

"Woah calm down" She said embracing me in a hug. "Come on in so we can talk"

"No, I should go before Jemal gets home, he wouldn't want to see me"

"Well that's tuff for him because I live here too and if I want to invite my friend into my house then I will" There was no wavering in her voice and I knew I had no choice but to come in, so I did. "Now what happened, you in my bro in a fight or something?"

"He hates me".

"I highly doubt that, he couldn't hate you." She said it with such confidence.

"And what makes you so sure of that"

"Because you two are inseperable, I don't know what happened but this too shall pass".

"You don't understand, there's this guy at school that he hates. I chose to go to the dance with him instead of Jemal after he asked me. Well techniqually Trevor asked first but still"

"So this boy Trevor, you like him?" She asked confused.

"No..."

"Im not following, why'd you decide to go with him if Jemal asked?"

"Its a long and complicated story" I Sobbed

"I've got nothing but time" She pressed on.

So I told her. Everything. From Haley finding out my secret, to her stealing my plan, to what happened in the school parking lot.

"I knew it !" She said when I told her I liked Jemal. "I mean I had a strong feeling you did, but I wasn't sure. You two would make the cutest couple"!

"Hello, have you been listening! He wants nothing to do with me."

"Oh hell come around, trust me my brother doesn't stay mad for long. Just tell him."

"Its not that easy". I told her.

"Its easier than you think, the truth always sets you free. Besides would you rather you not tell him and he stays mad and the Haley bitch wins, or tell the truth and find out if he feels the same way." I smiled and brightened up when she called Haley a bitch. Glad I wasn't the only one who saw it.

"Your right" I told her pulling her into a hug. Why didn't I confide in her sooner?

Just then the front door slammed shut. My heart started to pound as Jemal came into the living room where his sister and I were sitting. He had just walked in so he didn't hear none of our conversation thankfully.

"What are you doing here" he asked looking directly at me.

"I Invited her in" His sister defended me. "Lets not be rude to my company"

"Whatever. I don't care what she does anymore" His words stung me as if he were a bee himself. As soon as he went into the kitchen I felt myself let out a long sigh. I must have been holding in my breath all the time and didn't notice.

"Tell him" Jemal's sister whispered. I don't know if it was her talk that gave me confidence or the fact of lifting this burden off my chest, but i felt myself walking into his kitchen where i found him drinking a glass of water.

"Jemal, can we talk"

"I have nothing left to say."

"Well, can you just listen to me? I will do all the talking"

"I heard everything I needed to hear earlier today. I see how you feel. "

"Would you just hear me out"!

"Why should I ? I have been trying to talk to you for the past week and all you have been is stand offish . You obviously don't value our friendship. And then you embarrassed me infront of the entire parking lot today. Haley told me you had a thing for Trevor. You Could have just told me I would have understood, but no. I asked you infront of everyone, you said yes, Trevor comes, and you just abandoned me. Do you know how many girls I turned down to go to this stupid dance"?

"You Just believe what Haley said? You shouldn't trust her everything she says is a lie."!

"Well then why did you accept Trevors invitation so quickly if it was a lie?"

"Because I.. okay let me start from the beginning- "

"Im done giving you time. Just go your separate way and I will go mine and everybody wins. You were one of my closet friends Jocelyn, but im not going to give you 80% of my friendship and you only give me 20%. Go, have fun with Trevor, just leave me the hell out of it."

And with that he left me standing in his kitchen with the sting of tears coming back to my eyes.