Beyond us (all of us #3) 18+

T E N

C H L O E

Past

"I hate having girls night at Chloe's," Makenna says boldly, but I don't even bat an eye as I fill another bowl of chips. Thea's kettle corn is popping in the microwave behind me, and I'm trying so hard not to become overstimulated by Makenna's gum popping in her mouth along with it.

Thea's the only other person in this house helping me get all the snacks ready to be carried up to my room.

"It's not even bad here, Mak." Thea speaks from across the kitchen. "Better than being at my house, fighting off velcro little sisters climbing all over us and trying to sneak in my room."

Last time we spent the night at Thea's, her youngest sister had become attached to me within five minutes of me being there and I ended up polishing her little fingers and toes while Thea braided her other sisters hair. It wasn't a horrible time, but it definitely wasn't the vibe we were going for.

"Yeah, but Chloe's parents have too many fucking rules. Like what is this, jail?"

My parents do have a lot of rules, but no more than other regular parents have. Just to keep the noise to a minimum, no walking around the house or leaving the house after midnight, no extra guests, and clean up after ourselves. Nothing crazy.

"Bitch, your parents are literally never home," I say, "of course there are no rules there. There's no one there, ever."

"True." she shrugs, looking at her nails. Her phone chimes and based on how quickly she grabbed it, I just know it's Diesel.

How long am I going to feel like this? I thought if I ended things with him, he'd be out of my head, but instead I feel myself becoming more and more bitter.

All I can think about is how much he's with her now that he's not with me.

Wondering what they talk about when they're alone. What they do.

My imagination is my biggest enemy these days.

"So, what are we watching?" Thea skips over to the island with cold sodas tucked in one arm, and her big bowl of popcorn in the other. "I was feeling like dramedy, but now I'm thinking horror vibes?"

"I honestly couldn't care less," Makenna mumbles, her quick fingers texting away and the two of us exchange looks.

Yeah because you're trying to find any reason to get out of here so you can run off with Diesel.

"Okay, horror it is." I shrug, grabbing the rest of the snacks and leading us all upstairs. I hit every switch on the way, making sure the lights were off. Another rule that my parents had that apparently was too much to manage to my best friend.

Thea and I settled on a movie by ourselves. Something about a haunted house in some small town and a group of teens who went to explore it. Story line that has been done to death, but still entertaining even though the outcome is obvious.

Makenna's so glued to her phone she hasn't bothered to even look up at the screen. She hasn't bothered to reach for any snacks, or even change into her pajamas. I hate that I even pay attention to her like this.

It's almost like my short time being with Diesel just made me so hyper aware of everything she is. Of our differences and how much we really don't have in common at all.

She and I are like total opposites, and there's no way he could have ever really liked me if he was into her. It just didn't make sense.

"Are you ever gonna watch the movie with us," I blurt out like the words just jumped out of me. Like she triggered me with her smirk and quick fingers tapping out messages to him all night.