The Boy in the Park

Chapter 13

"Jake! You mother fucking asshole! I was about to kiss him!" I slammed the door. Jake was leaning casually against the wall. I was fuming. 

"I thought you said you didn't have a boyfriend?" I didn't like the accusing tone in his voice.

"Yeah. He's not my boyfriend." The words kind of stung to say. 

"I just don't want to see you get all messed up because of this guy. Earlier on in the summer, when you were acting all depressed, it was because of him, wasn't it?" I didn't answer. He tapped his foot impatiently.

"Why do you even care? I know what I'm doing. Just because you're a year older, it doesn't mean you're smarter or something!" I was shouting at this point. I just wanted him to leave me alone. He always made me feel like I was just a kid, and he was the one who knew everything. 

"Okay, you know what? Maybe I was just worried because this is the first guy since-"

"I don't want to talk about it. Please, Jake."

"I don't even know why I asked. Just do whatever you want." He turned, went downstairs, and slammed the door.

Well, I thought, two can play at that game. I went to my room, and slammed the door too. I hated getting into arguments with Jake. Especially the serious ones. I usually said things I didn't mean, and then when I got home, I beat myself up over it.

I put my hair up and walked to the bathroom. My eye makeup was smudged, and I had a crazed look in my eyes. 

I looked pretty bad. The almost crying and burying my head into Dylan's shirt must have ruined the eye makeup. Hopefully I didn't get too much onto his clothes. I sighed, and started removing my makeup. I changed out of my clothes and into pyjamas, and flung myself into bed.

My phone was buzzing, but I just lay in bed for a while, looking up at the ceiling. I stayed like that for a couple of minutes. Why did Jake have to bring him up? I was just starting to forget. It'd been more than a year, but it still kind of hurt. My friends knew not to bring it up. Noah was my first relationship. He was sweet, kind, and everything I wanted. It started off great, until I started being the one messaging first all the time. Until I was the one waiting to him to reply to my messages, to return my calls. Until I was the only one crying when he broke it off. I spent all of Sophomore year trying to stop thinking about it, but it was so hard. What did I do wrong? Why wasn't I good enough?

I forced myself to stop thinking about it. There were too many open ended questions, and no answer. 

I picked up my phone. The group chat, as always, had a bunch of new messages. I scrolled to the top.

Oh my god. Thank you so much. Dylan and his friends are hot af said Ella.

AHHHH yes. Logan is so hot. We went on the ferris wheel, and it was so romantic! That was Valentina. I was surprised. Logan seemed like a pretty un-romantic person. I mean, he'd hit on me and Sam in the couple of minutes that I'd known him. Never judge a book by it's cover, I thought. Even if the cover was douchey and encouraged cheating.

Ew! said Sam. I guessed that she still wasn't over the whole him hitting on her thing.

I know, he seems really shallow at first. But we got talking, and he's a lot more than just that.

I like Owen, and he's nice, but I'm not over Jackson yet. Tori texted.

You should give Owen a chance. He treats you way better than Jackson. Said Valentina.

Good catch Sienna! You're right, he looks like a fucking model, and he seems like a great person. Said Emily.

I smiled. I knew Dylan wouldn't disappoint my friends.