Invisible String

Chapter 24 -The Change

What the hell? I thought as Eros walked in, his presence casting a heavy shadow over the room. It had been ages since I last saw him, and the memories of our last encounter were far from pleasant. The night he labeled me a "one-night stand" and hurled other cruel accusations still lingered painfully in my mind. My feelings towards him were undeniably negative; I might even say I hated him a little.

Eros always reminded me of Grumpy Smurf, perpetually frowning as if he detested life and everyone in it. It perplexed me why someone as bright and positive as Logan would be friends with him. Their personalities couldn't be more different—Logan was like a burst of sunshine, while Eros seemed to drain the light from any room he entered.

I got up, determined to avoid spending time with someone who had judged me so harshly at my lowest point. He knew nothing about me but had still condemned me based on one mistake. It hurt more than I cared to admit because it was a glimpse of how the world would judge me from then on.

"Genesis, wait," Logan's voice stopped me. I turned to see him standing protectively in front of Eros, as if ready to shield me from any more pain.

Guilt washed over me. Logan's relationship with Eros had never been the same after that night, and it hurt knowing how much it pained Logan. I couldn't imagine being distanced from my best friends, Vanessa or Veronica. Logan had taken my side, and though I appreciated it, I still felt a twinge of regret.

"Can we talk, please?" Eros's voice was uncharacteristically soft, almost pleading.

I was about to tell him to leave, but the look on Logan's face stopped me. For Logan's sake, I owed it to him to at least listen.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked, my tone icy.

"I need to apologize," Eros said, his sincerity catching me off guard.

"I'm not leaving the two of you alone," Logan insisted, stepping closer to me. His protectiveness was touching, a kind of care I wasn't used to.

"Calm down, I came to talk to both of you," Eros replied, looking more vulnerable than I had ever seen him. It was strange seeing him like this, almost like prey before predators.

I reminded myself of why I was so angry, recalling the hurtful things he had said. He might look remorseful now, but he had been ruthless before.

"Can I?" he asked again, his eyes pleading.

I glanced at Logan, who was already looking at me, silently communicating.

Is it okay? Or do I kick him out?

It's okay. We should hear him out.

"Come on in," I said, turning back to Eros, who sighed in relief, clearly expecting rejection.

"Thank you," he murmured, stepping into the living room.

"You can sit on the couch," I indicated, dropping onto one of the loveseats. Logan remained standing beside me. "I'd have you sit at the table, but we were having breakfast and it's a mess."

"I'm sorry I interrupted. I'll be quick," Eros said, shifting uncomfortably on the couch.

"It's fine," I replied, just grateful I was wearing normal clothes instead of lingerie.

"I really need to apologize for what I said. It was not only untrue but completely uncalled for. I'm deeply ashamed of how I acted. I judged you based on social media without even knowing you. That was a huge mistake. I don't want to make excuses because I was an idiot... If my mom knew, she'd call me an ass and smack me on the head. I was scared for my friend, worried he'd get caught up in a scandal. I was scared of what people would think."