I Never Thought

Chapter 36

A/N: Another picture of Sierra (Francia Raisa)

The first thing I noticed when I sat in the passenger seat of Sierra's dad's truck was that her long hair was in its natural form and was dangling down her shoulders in wild, black waves. I wanted so badly to comment on it but I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. I mean, it would probably break the ice so maybe it wouldn't be the worse idea.

"Your hair looks different," I stated at the same time as her saying "you look like crap."

Laughter erupted between us but ended as fast as it started. I involuntarily reached up to take my hair out of its bun before shaking my head to loosen my curls. She probably wasn't only referring to the mess on my head, but also to the dark circles under my eyes and my effortless outfit of black T-shirt and sweatpants. After talking to Jessica, I changed my outfit because I just knew that all my plans for the day would get cancelled.

"Thanks," I responded sarcastically. As I was fastening my seatbelt, I took notice that she was still facing me instead of shifting the truck into drive. A thoughtful look lingered on her face; her lips twisted to the side and her head tilted just slightly. I imagined that she was brainstorming different ways to send me to hell.

"What?" I asked after realizing that she wasn't turning around and I was even beginning to feel an uncanny nervousness.

She hummed before frowning and reaching her hand out to me. Hesitantly, I shifted to place my hand into hers. What was she doing? I wasn't exactly expecting us to have physical contact, in this way at least. However, right before I was about to question her unanticipated action, she squeezed my hand. My heart warmed the same second that a sympathetic smile formed on her face.

"I know that my reaction wasn't the best," she began, and I placed my other hand on top of hers.

Oh, this is what we're doing.

"Come on, nobody's reaction that night was plausible," I encouraged but she held up her index finger.

"Shh, I'm not done." She smiled slightly and I halted my next sentence before it came out of my mouth. I could tell by the way her eyelids twitched that this was outside of her comfort zone. Sierra was never really one to apologize first, as unfair as it sounds, that's just the person she was. So, for her to initiate meeting up with me and being the first person to apologize, she had all my attention. And besides, I did miss my best friend.

"Um," she cleared her throat. "You needed me, and I was too busy thinking about myself instead of doing my job of being your best friend when you needed it the most."

I nodded slowly, contemplating whether or not I was to say something in return, it was either that or her shutting me up again.

"I know that walking away and leaving the scene the way I did was dumb. The more I think about it, the more dramatic it seems to me. I should have stayed."

"I'm not innocent here either. Your reasoning for reacting that way is valid. You were hurt, and that is completely understandable."

I was aware that I wasn't the only person who got hurt during this whole thing, and Sierra was equally entitled to feel the way she was feeling just as I was. I didn't agree nor disagree that she had a dramatic reaction, but I wasn't going to comment on it.

"Yeah, actually it did hurt," she muttered and looked away from my face for the first time since I sat down.

"And besides, I was fine after you left. I did cry up a river, but Emma took me to get ice cream after, and it helped."

"Ugh, I'm sorry," she pouted.

"Its okay. Also, I know that this might sound insensitive and you don't even have to answer if you don't want to, but what about the whole situation hurts you the most?" I needed to know. I wasn't belittling her feelings but I truly wanted to know if she was just sour that he liked me and not her, or if it was only because I didn't tell her.