Dear Erika Parker, I've Always Loved You

Twenty One.

Parents & Isa
♡ Rachel ♡
. . .

"You still up, baby?" I ask, running my fingers through her hair as her head lays on my chest.

"Mhm" she nuzzles closer to me, "barely" her voice is raspy and sleepy and even though it's a school night and I can't stay long, I want to.

"I had fun"

"Mhm"

I smile, she's so cute right now.

"So you didn't?" I pout jokingly.

"Rach, I'm half asleep right now" she grumbles.

"I know"

"This is the tenth time you've asked me if I'm up, stopped me from sleeping, and tried conversation" she shifts, lifting her head to look at me, "are you stalling?"

"No" I lie- I totally am. The agreement was that I would stay until she fell asleep, but I desperately don't want to leave- also, I don't feel like calling mom to come and get me.

She stares at me, raising her brow, "you're a bad liar".

"I'm not lying" I blush.

"You're cute, Rach but I'm sleepy" she whines.

"Fine, fine" I sigh, "but Rugsby's staying with you tonight".

"Goodnight Rach" she shakes her head, "I love you".

"Love you too".

• • •

It doesn't even feel like anything's missing.

Amy was my first friend at Summerville- so I guess losing Piper and Isa only made me realize one thing; Piper would never leave- and while i felt for her, desperately, I have to focus on myself now.

Neither of them matter, at least, that's what I remind myself when sitting between Amy and Erika while Erika and Amy talk about how hard it is to pass Mr. Davis- the Math teacher's class.

June, who I think is in middle school but have no idea, is sitting at a different table with my sister and doing what I'm 99% sure is flirting- and I'm sure Ava is aware too by the way she's playing with her hair and batting her eyes.

It's almost amusing.

But then Erika goes to dump her tray, and the devil herself, makes her way over.

"Hey guys".

Amy and I exchange glances and always being the more bold one, Amy turns to her with a raise of her brow, "hey?"

I guess what we're both hoping is for some kind of apology- or at least for Erika to receive one.

Part of me- although buried deep down, wants to believe she can be better.

Because why else would she be talking to us?

"Honestly, I wasn't even going to talk to you guys, but" she sighs, folding her arms over her chest, "I'm willing to give second chances".

The way my brow raises involuntarily, Amy just shakes her head at me before turning her attention back to Isa- for a second I think she's about to go back, until...

"So is your difficult back stabbing phase over or do you need more time?" Isa questions.

"Difficult" Amy repeats slowly, "backstabbing".

"Yes. You wouldn't even be friends or date that girl unless-"

"Isa there is no unless. Until you apologize there's nothing more to say- and not even to us- to her-" I nod my head towards Erika- who's leaned over talking to June and laughing brightly, showcasing her dimples to anyone who dares to stare as long as I do- and notice every part of her laugh and how it's so perfect and light like her, Isa's eyes widen, like she's surprised I even spoke- I am too, to be honest.

"But that's just life I guess. Be willing to loose people, right?" Amy shrugs, "you're an okay friend to us- sometimes, until you can't control our every waking being. You're an asshole, Isa and until you admit it and work on yourself..." Any looks over Piper, who's looking at us from our old lunch table, biting her lips in hope that maybe we're coning back, "she's not even going to stay that long".

Isa rolls her eyes, "I knew this was corny bullshit. I don't need either of you" she rolls her eyes being grumbling her way off just as Erika makes her way over.

Isa glares at Erika as she passes and Erika raises her brows.

"What was that about?" She questions.

"Nothing important, just Isa" Amy shrugs.

My eyes meet Piper's from across the cafeteria and I realize then- looking into her sad, pleading brown eyes, there's just some things people can't change.

So yeah, I guess Isa and I aren't friends anymore- and knowing Piper, I'm probably not hers anymore.

But you know what I am? Erika Parker's sort of kind of girlfriend and Amy Michael's best friend.

And I wouldn't change that for the world.

. . .
♡ T   A   L   E   Y   I   A   H ♡