Life-moving moments

Chapter 22

Emily's plans for my birthday party are in full swing and I wonder what has gotten into her that she suddenly wants to party so hard.

"How many of your friends did you invite?" She asks two weeks later.

"Well, my college friends and Matt's friend Dean - but I don't think he'll come - and a few of my cousins."

"And the camp crew?"

"Um, I thought you already invited them."

The truth is, I don't think I can handle seeing James and Lesley again.

"It's your party, but if you want I'll pop them a message."

"Okay," I say weakly. "But I'll probably chat to James in the week, so I'll invite him and Lesley."

James and my calls have resumed but not nearly as regularly as before.

"They make such a cute couple, don't they?" Emily says, oblivious.

"They do," I say, trying to echo her gushing tone.

Later in the week when I call James to invite him and Terence, he asks: "Can I bring Lesley?"

"Sure," I say, my stomach clenching painfully.

He's quiet again.

"Though honestly, she might not want to come but I'll still be there, even if she doesn't."

"Why won't she want to come?"

"Well," James pauses again. I don't like this pause. It's different from the others. It feels loaded and it makes me anxious. "She's kind of jealous of our friendship too."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I guess she and Matt can shake hands."

James gives a soft, half-hearted chuckle.

"But like you said, that's her problem. You and I were friends before Lesley and I started dating, so she has to accept it, along with all my other strings that come attached."

"You never struck me as a stringy guy," I say stupidly.

"I don't know what that means," James says.

"Nor do I, I was just trying to lighten the mood and ended up saying something stupid, as always."

"I never understand why you always call yourself stupid. You're the furthest thing from it."

"If you say so."

"By the way, while we're on the subject of parties. My 21st birthday is the week before your party. On Friday night."

"Seriously," I say. "Are our birthdays really that close together?"

"Actually, my birthday is only a few days before yours but my granny wants to celebrate it the week before, because my cousin is leaving for Australia next Saturday and she really wants to be there. We're very close."

"Oh. Okay."

"So, I'd really like it if you came."

"Thank you. Yes, I'll definitely be there."

I finish the phone call on a high, which is normal for my calls with James, but it doesn't last long because Matt calls me 10 minutes later.

"I've been trying to call you for like 20 minutes," he scolds.

"I was on another call, Matt."

I was tempted to lie and say that someone else was using on the phone but James and I agree that Matt and Lesley's jealousy is irrational. There's nothing about our friendship that should make them jealous. I repeat this to myself, even if I don't completely believe it. It if were true then I wouldn't be so jealous of Lesley and I absolutely hate her guts.