Juliana Woodland and Nate Jacobs have been best friends for as long as they can remember.
They are now in their junior year at East Highland High School and things are starting to get complicated.
*Had this story up on my old account and it got dele...
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"I told you, I don't want to talk about it."
Juliana rolled her eyes, exasperated by her mom's excessive questions since she had come clean and told her that she and Nate were over.
"I'm just trying to understand, honey. You two were so happy days ago, when we were all here for Christmas Eve-"
"I know, but we... I can't even get into it right now, mom." She huffed, standing up from the couch.
Her mom reached out and gently grabbed her hand. "It's okay, I'm sure you two will work things out."
She pulled her hand away, wishing she had never said anything about it to her in the first place. She should have known how her mom would react; she always adored Nate.
"No, I really don't think we will."
Maria looked as upset as Juliana felt, which was not helping her feel any better. "Well, what if I talk to him? Or talk to his mom?"
"Oh my god, no, please do not do that." She rubbed her temples. "Okay, maybe you're right, we probably will work things out once we both cool down." She lied, only to make her stop.
She took off up to her bedroom before her mom could say anything else. She knew she was trying to help, but it was making her feel worse. She didn't want to talk about it- not with her mom, Maddy, or anyone.
The only way she was getting through it was by doing her absolute best to not think about it, which wasn't possible if she had to talk about it.
She did feel bad for being impatient with her mom, but obviously she didn't understand since she didn't know the details of what actually happened in their relationship.
She was very glad she had plans with her friends to go to a party that night, and not just any party: it was December 31st, and New Year's Eve parties were always the best ones.
It was only the middle of the afternoon, but she had to do something to keep herself busy. She picked up her phone and went to hers and Maddy's conversation.
Juliana: Happy New Year's Eve! Is it okay if I come over a bit earlier than we planned?
Maddy texted her back right away.
Maddy💅🏽: Happy NYE and yes bitch of course you know you can come here whenever you want! Let me know when you're otw
As she went to lock her phone again, her thumb hovered over hers and Nate's conversation. She couldn't believe that he hadn't tried to contact her since he stormed out of her house days ago.
She assumed that he must have realized, like she did, that it was really over this time.
She blinked back tears, took a deep breath and put her Lana Del Ray playlist on blast before laying her phone on her dresser. If she kept herself occupied, she would be okay.
She took her time getting ready as she sang along to the music, applying black eyeliner to her eyes following Maddy's technique, and curling her hair.
Once she was finished her hair and makeup, she opened her closet door before she could change her mind. She picked up the dress that had been there on the hanger since she brought it home.
It was hard to believe that no time ago she and Nate had hooked up while she had this same dress in the change room of the store it came from, which was what started the friends with benefits situation. She couldn't understand how things changed so quickly.
Juliana's heart raced as she, Maddy, Cassie, Lexie and Kat stepped into the crowded house, the bass thumping in her chest like an extra, erratic heartbeat.
Tonight, she wanted to be the life of the party, the girl who could handle anything.
As much as she tried to push her feelings away, she was still heartbroken, but it was nothing a few shots couldn't fix- or so she told herself as she downed the burning liquid along with her friends.
New Year's Eve was supposed to be a night that was filled with excitement and new beginnings. She was going to try her best to do just that and all ignore the weight of the recent past pressing down on her, that still had her feeling hurt and exposed.
Her friends huddled around her, chattering and laughing, speaking words of encouragement and making drinks that promised liquid courage.
As she sipped on her drink, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, and she knew it had to be Nate.
Her eyes darted through the crowd, searching for the one person she both desperately wanted to avoid and needed to see.
His eyes met hers, and she felt the floor tilt beneath her. The memory of their last moments together played out in her mind: the shouting, the accusations, the tears that had stained her pillow in the quiet hours of the night.
She thought she was ready to face him again, but now she wasn't so sure.
Despite her friends best efforts to keep her distracted, she couldn't ignore the gravitational pull that drew her towards him. He was like a black hole, consuming every ounce of her attention.
She leaned in to Maddy and spoke loudly over the music. "I'll be right back, I just need a minute."
Before Maddy could offer to join, Juliana took off, weaving through the crowd and draining her drink as she went.
She found a door in the hallway leading outside and slipped out, taking in a deep breath of fresh air.
When she stepped back inside, she wasn't surprised to see Nate standing there, leaning against the wall right next to the door she left through.
She hated to admit it, but she thought he would follow her and couldn't help but feel satisfied that she was right.
His gaze was intense, his expression unreadable. Her eyes searched his, looking for answers, but all she found was a reflection of her own turmoil and a silent conversation that spoke volumes of regret and anger.
"Can we talk?" He asked, his voice surprisingly gentle.
She crossed her arms and looked him up and down. "Fine," she finally answered.
"It's so loud out here, can we go to the bathroom?"
She nodded and he took her hand, leading her to the brightly lit bathroom at the end of the hall. The door slammed shut behind them with a finality that echoed through her.
