Word has it that opposites attract. Jessica Keith would give the pithy expression two middle fingers because a wild party girl like her and the prim do-gooder, Matthew Parkinson are opposites hopeless to attract, let alone breathe the same air.
Howe...
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Jessica
There was a buzzing on the night-stand on Matthew's side of the bed. Usually, I'd sleep through the buzzing, but I wasn't asleep at all.
Matthew on the other hand probably was because it took him a minute to hear the buzzing.
I forgot how comfortable I was until Matthew retrieved his arm from my waist and reached for his phone. I pretended to be asleep even when my heart hammered in my chest because I heard him say her name over the phone.
The bed dipped as Matthew climbed out of the bed. He stepped into the bathroom, probably worried about waking me up.
The one-sided conversation echoed in the bathroom, and I listened in. In a short span of time, I was able to conclude that the caller was Kierra's mom. Something must've happened after we left the party. Kierra locked herself in the bathroom and wouldn't talk to anyone.
After a few more moments, Matthew stepped out of the bathroom. My back was on him, but I could hear rustling in his walk-in closet.
I hugged myself and tried to keep my eyes closed.
Footsteps came toward the bed. I felt Matthew sat on my side of the bed, leaned in, and kissed me on the cheek.
I thought he'd step away after, but he stayed for a moment, his fingers playing with my hair. He then gives me another kiss before finally standing up.
I'd like to assume he was hesitating to go.
There was a second where I wanted to open my eyes and reach for him.
Please don't go.
But my conscience was screaming, 'Kierra needs her best friend.'
Matthew closed the bedroom door behind him.
I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. My stomach was tangled in knots. My head screamed even louder when the front door closed.
This time, my thoughts started spiraling: Matthew was just going to comfort Kierra and he was going to tell her about Jason's affair. They'll both wish they did things differently in the past. Maybe she'll tell Matthew that she should've told him about her feelings... and the same goes with Matthew.
I shake my head, wrestling with my thoughts.
Then, Matthew and Kierra realized that, all along, they belonged with each other.
I groaned.
Where will I be in the picture?
I bolted up and buried my face in my palms.
With great shame, I realized that although my heart breaks for Kierra, it shamelessly breaks even more for me.
I tried to take deep calming breaths, but as I looked around Matthew's bedroom, I knew I wasn't remotely close to calming down. My chest felt like it was about to burst. I knew then that I didn't want to be there.
