Lonely hearts

9. Bitch

The next day felt like a grey, cold haze. The rain had stopped, but my thoughts remained heavy and dark. I was busy trying to distract my thoughts with a book when I suddenly heard a knock at the door. Surprised, I got up and walked to the front door. When I opened, Amber was standing there, with a self-deprecating smile on her perfectly made-up face.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice drenched in weariness and distrust.

Amber stepped inside without invitation, her gaze glinting with contempt. "Oh, I thought I should stop by to straighten a few things out," she said in a tone that made it clear she owed no real explanation.

I clamped my jaws together and closed the door. "What do you want to say, Amber?"

She laughed softly, a sound that was anything but friendly. "I just want to say that you should stop trying to take Matt away from me. He's happy with me, and you're just a jealous, pathetic girlfriend who can't stand to see him with someone else."

Her words hit me hard, but I refused to break down in front of her. "I'm just trying to protect Matt. I see how you are, Amber. You're using him for his fame and you know it."

Amber's eyes narrowed and she took a step closer. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Olivia. Matt chose me, not you. So maybe you should just accept that you lost."

My heart pounded in my chest and my hands balled into fists. "I haven't lost anything," I said, my voice trembling with anger. "I'm doing what I have to do to protect someone I care about. That you don't understand that says more about you than it does about me."

Amber snorted and turned around, ready to leave. "Just stay away from us, Olivia. You'll only make trouble."

She walked out and slammed the door hard behind her. The echo of her words lingered in the room, like a toxic fog that I found difficult to dispel. I felt the tears burning behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

With trembling hands, I grabbed my phone and opened the group chat with Chris and Nick. I needed to talk, I needed to share this with someone who would understand.

-text-

Olivia: Are you guys home? I need you guys...

It only took a few seconds before my phone started vibrating with their replies.

Nick: We'll be there in ten minutes, Liv.

Chris: Hang in there, we're coming.

---

I felt a tiny bit of relief as I put my phone down. Chris and Nick would understand, they would help me get through this painful situation.

Within ten minutes, I heard the doorbell ring. I opened the door and there they stood, with worried looks and open arms. Without a word, they pulled me into an embrace and I felt the tears finally flowing.

"We're here, Liv," Chris said softly. "We won't leave you alone."

Nick nodded and wiped a tear from my cheek. "Let's go inside. We have enough snacks and bad movies to cheer you up."

I smiled weakly and let them walk me inside. I spent the rest of the day with my two best friends, who did everything to cheer me up. We ate chips, watched bad comedies and talked about everything but Matt and Amber.

Although the pain was still there, I felt comforted by their presence. Chris and Nick reminded me that I was not alone, that I had people who cared about me and who would support me no matter what.