We're Not Related Anymore...

The Hurting Game

Jacob: Three Years Ago

"You want us to avoid each other?" Maddie asks behind the bleachers at school. It's the first time I've been able to catch her alone without Josh leering at us over his shoulder. Even though he's left the ball in my court to be the one to end things, it's like he's waiting for me to chicken out so that he can swoop in and do it for me. 

"Just for a little bit. In a few months time, we'll be away from all of this-"

"Studying at the college my father teaches at and where my brother will also be attending. Be real for a moment, Jacob. It won't be any different from our situation here." I clench my jaw, knowing she's right. I  got my confirmation letter today. It's official, next year I'll be attending a community college with my former best friend and the girl I love. But she's right. It won't be any different. 

"We'll figure it out," I tell her, reaching out and pulling her to me. She fits perfectly under my chin and I feel her relax into my hold. "We just need time."

"Josh is really mad," she whispers. "He can barely look at me these days. I think Dad's noticed it too." I wrap my arms around her tighter before letting her go. We are still at school, after all. 

Do the right thing, whispers the voice in my head. It sounds a lot like Josh's angry voice. We should end this before we get hurt but I can't. I don't want to let go of Maddie. 

"What are you thinking right now?" She asks, squinting her eyes. She shifts, pulling her jacket tighter around her body. "What are you really thinking?" She corrects watching as I run my hand over my face.

"Josh said we should end things," I admit and watch her nod her head, taking in my words.

"Is he going to tell our parents if we don't?" She questions, her voice sounding small. 

"I don't know." I don't think he will. I don't think he wants this mess to become bigger than it is. I don't either, really. "Maybe he's right," I say and her face pinches. 

"What?" Maddie asks, her face breaking out into a bewildered expression. "What happened to we'll figure it out?"

"Just for now... we'll just end things and then-" Maddie starts shaking her head and backing away from me. 

"I can't believe this," she says, running her hands through her hair. "You're un-fucking-believable, you know?"

"He has a point, Maddie. If this gets out, it could impact your entire life. Your entire future." The consequences of what we were doing didn't feel real until he spelled them out for me. Now that I know what they are, I can't stop thinking about them. 

"My life," she says, scoffing. "Or yours? Because I'll be honest Jacob, right now it looks like you're ending things because you're prioritizing what's important to you."

"Prioritizing what's important to me," I say, catching her wrist when she makes to walk away. I spin her body back into mine again, hating the fact that she refuses to look at me. "You are the most important thing to me. And I don't want you to get hurt."

I don't want her to live her life here surrounded by rumors. Next year will be hard enough without having assholes whispering about her. 

"I'm already hurt," she says breaking my grip and walking away from me. I hear a shout from the field and it prevents me from going after her. 

-

Maddie: Three Years Ago

I can't believe he wants to end things, I think as I mindlessly read through my English textbook. Things were great until Josh found out. And now my twin can't look me in the eyes and Jacob wants to nip this in the bud. Again.