The Truce

Chapter 30

It was like I was that stupid, naïve little girl again. But now, the pain of betrayal was so much deeper. I still hadn't been confident in my feelings, but I knew, without a doubt, they were approaching love, and I felt unbelievably stupid for trusting Sebastian again.

Just like when I was little, I planned to shut him out completely. I didn't want to risk believing whatever excuse he came up with. Because apparently, I was dumb enough to fall for anything. Thankfully, we had a few weeks off, so all I would have to do was stay hidden in the house. Though I wasn't sure what my plan would be when I had to return to school.

"Michaela?" Dad caught me when I came through the front door. Unfortunately, I hadn't been able to hold the tears back until I got to my room. His confusion over seeing my distress turned to outrage. "Did that boy-"

"No." I stopped his assumption about Scott and batted the tears away. "But I don't want to see Sebastian. Please don't let him in," I pleaded.

Dad was stunned and didn't seem to know what to do. "Alright, Honey. Don't worry."

"Thanks, Dad." I sniffed and ran up to my room before he could ask for any details. Thankfully Mom was working, so I had some time before I'd have to talk about anything.

I contemplated locking the door, but I knew Dad would do what I asked. And unlike when we were little, Elliott wasn't here to sneak him in.

I collapsed on the bed and allowed myself to cry and cry. I just couldn't believe I'd been so stupid.

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I spent the rest of the day, curled up on my side, wishing I could fall asleep and block out the pain for just a little while. Unfortunately, I stayed conscious. I wanted to call Natalie, but I knew as soon as I turned my phone on, I'd be unable to keep from seeing Sebastian's calls and texts. And apparently, I couldn't be trusted to spot lies. Eventually Natalie would come over once she failed to be able to get me on my phone.

Some time late in the day, Mom let herself into my room and clicked on the lamp on the bedside table. She sat beside me on the bed and smoothed my hair. The tears had stopped a while ago, but the comforting action made them start up again.

Mom smiled sadly and grabbed some tissues to dab at my face. "Talk to me, Honey. What happened?"

"He cheated on me," I whimpered.

"How do you know?"

"I saw him. He kissed another girl."

She frowned and after a moment, she said, "are you sure you saw what you think you did?"

Did she think I'd be this upset if I hadn't?

Seeing the outrage on my face, she added, "sometimes things look really bad, and we make assumptions. Sometimes those assumptions are right, but sometimes they're not."

I sat up, more angry than hurt now. "I didn't just imagine it, Mom. I saw them."

"I know, Michaela. But did you let him explain?"

"What's to explain? He kissed someone else! Nothing makes that okay."

"Maybe not," she agreed. "But you still need to hear it from him."

I was not talking to Sebastian. Crossing my arms, I turned away from her and glared at the wall.

"Honey, look at me."

Grudgingly, I complied.

"Sebastian is crazy about you. I have a very hard time believing that things are as simple as you think. Maybe they are, but Michaela, he's been very good to you since you let him back in your life. Don't you think he deserves to have you hear him out?"