Be My Girlfriend

54

Brittany's P.O.V.

"Is it true Thompson is staying with you?" It was Gizelle on the phone.

I have been avoiding their call ever since the accident but I couldn't avoid them forever, especially when I received a text from our group chat that they'll be coming here if I don't answer any of their calls.

I sighed deeply. "Yes."

"Why the hell is that?" This is the reaction I was trying to avoid.

I walked towards the garden and closed the sliding door behind me. I don't want Jo hearing this, she was just in the next room.

"Brittany?" I heard her call on me.

"She's my girlfriend, are you forgetting that?"

"The fake one, Brittany! The fake one doesn't care, why do you care about her?" I was so glad this conversation was over the phone or else she would have seen me clenching my jaw as I balled my fist.

"Do I have to explain everything to you, Gizelle? Run everything to you before I do them?" This is the trick I learned being with girls like Gizelle. Intimidate them. Show them who the boss is.

"N-No." And it always works. "I'm just.. at least loop us in, you know? The girls are asking too, Hailey is asking. Did you call her back already?"

"No, I haven't, I-"

"Oh my god, Call her back!" 

"I will, I will."

I ended the conversation and dialed Hailey's number. 

"Brit!" She answered the phone quickly.

"Hey." I said without a hint of interest in my voice.

"I'm glad you called. Umm, is Jo okay? I heard she was staying with you, is that true?"

"Yeah, yeah, she's here. She's okay but, it's bad, Hailey. She broke her ankle and she needs months to heal and probably would need therapy before she can play again."

I heard Hailey gasp loudly on the other line.

"Hailey?" 

"Yeah, I was just... That was really sad, how did she take it?" 

I could hear the uneasiness in Hailey's voice, and it made me feel like there was more to her reaction than just concern. 

Something was off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"She's trying to be strong." I replied, leaning against the garden wall. "But it's hard for her. She's worried about her scholarship, about everything."

There was a pause, and I could hear Hailey's breathing quicken. 

"I-I feel so bad, Brittany. I mean, I was right there when it happened. I didn't see it coming, and... I should have probably done something."

My suspicion grew. Hailey was never one to blame herself, not like this. 

"Hailey, it wasn't your fault. It was an accident."

Another pause, longer this time. 

"Yeah." she mumbled, but I could tell she wasn't convinced. "Anyway, I'm glad she's with you. I'm sure you're taking good care of her."

"Yeah, I'm doing what I can." I said, though my mind was still on the way she was acting. 

"Look, Hailey, if there's something you need to tell me—"

"No, no," she interrupted quickly, almost too quickly. "There's nothing. I just... I just feel bad for her, that's all. I hope she gets better soon."

I didn't push her further, but the feeling that Hailey was hiding something gnawed at me. "Yeah, me too. I'll let her know you're thinking of her."

"Thanks, Brit. And, um, if you need anything..."

"Sure, Hailey," I said, but the conversation left a strange taste in my mouth.

When I hung up, I stayed in the garden for a while, replaying the conversation in my head. Something about Hailey's guilt felt more personal, more direct.

I turned to go back inside. Jo was watching TV.

"Everything okay?" She asked, her voice soft but tinged with worry as soon as she saw my face.

"Yeah." I lied, forcing a smile. "Just talking to Hailey."

"Ohh... What did she say?" Jo asked, her eyes searching mine.

"She's just worried about you." I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Everyone is."

Jo nodded, but I could see she wasn't entirely convinced. 

"What are you watching?" I tried to change the subject.

"Umm, I don't know, honestly. Just flipping channels." She patted the space beside her, gesturing me to sit there which I obliged.

As soon as comfortable, I reached for her hand and intertwined our fingers. Jo looked down and watched our hands becoming one. A small smile painted on her lips.

"When we were at the hospital and you were taken and I was left alone in your room, I thought my heart would explode. I was so worried about you and for the first time in my life, I learned how to pray." I held her hand tightly.

"I was so helpless sitting there and just waiting, waiting for good news, waiting for you to come back and tell me you were okay."

I chuckled. "I know I was overreacting, it's not like you're coming back from a heart transplant, but still."

"Brit..."

"The relief I felt when you came back and alive, Jo. It was, priceless. Again, I know, I'm overreacting but still."

Her other hand held both our hands.

"You know what I felt when we were at the hospital?" It was her turn to speak. I looked briefly into her eyes before looking down at our hands.

"I was so scared but knowing you were there with me? Somehow I felt safe. When they took me away, I knew you would be at the same place I left you because I know, you will wait for me and that thought washed away the fear I was feeling."

I didn't know I was crying till I saw a tear fall down the sheet.

"Come here." Jo let go of my hand and pulled me into a hug.

"I'm okay, Brit. As long as you're with me, I'm okay."

I'm not an emotional human being but hearing those words from Jo made me bawling my eyes out.

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