The New Principal

12. The Hard Fight.

*Thomas texts will be in italics. Joel texts will be in bold.*

I wake up alone and am sad, having momentarily forgot that Joel left last night. It's already ten, meaning I need to get ready for lunch with Joel and his mother. I have two texts, one from last night and one from a few minutes ago.
Goodnight, miss you reads the one from last night. The one I just missed says is it okay if we meet at the restaurant? I think it's weird but I don't argue. That's fine.
I dress casually before heading off to meet them, a weird feeling settling in my stomach. I arrive quickly, parking next to Joel's car. I head in and find him there, waiting, his mother apparently the last to arrive.
He stands to greet me and moves in for a kiss that I reject, following the gut reaction that something is off. He frowns at me, kissing my cheek before greeting his mother who has just arrived. "Sorry I took so long, got caught up," she says, smiling at me before taking her seat.
"It's okay, mom." We get arranged and order our food, them talking while I sit quietly. "How was your night last night boys? Was the big anniversary yeah?" I find this question odd since Joel said he went there last night, why wouldn't he have told her?
"It was fine," I say, moving my fork around on my plate. I can feel them both staring at me but I really can't eat anything right now. Something is off. "Oh," his mom says, eyes moving to Joel. "I saw Eric this morning. He said you guys met up, that's wonderful."
I feel Joel tense as I look at him, confusion clear on my face. "What?" I ask, unable to stop myself. "Joel's ex fiancé, Eric, is in town. Ran into him on my way here." Ex fiancé? That's not what he told me.
"When did that happen exactly?" I ask, eyes on Joel. "I believe he said last night, right Joel? After dinner sometime? Nice of you to let him, Thomas. I know it was supposed to be your night."
I am livid, borderline homicidal, looking at Joel who says nothing. It's obvious now that he a) left in the middle of a blow job, b) lied about where he was going and c) met up with his ex fiancé then didn't come home all night. I think I'm going to be sick.
I stand from my seat, eyes leaving Joel to find his mother looking worried. "I'm sorry, I have to go. Bye," I say before quickly making my way to the door. I hear Joel follow me, pushing through the door after me. "Thomas, wait. Stop, please."
But I don't, I run. I quickly get in my car and head home, knowing Joel will follow me. I get home, him pulling in right after me. "Thomas, come on. Listen to me." I storm into the house, Joel hot on my heels.
I finally turn to face him and fight the urge to sock him right in the kisser. "What do you want, Joel?" My voice is calm, so calm it almost scares me. "I'm sorry," he says, eyes looking sad. I shake my head and move to my bedroom, needing to be away from him.
"I am so sorry, please listen to me. I don't know what I was thinking. Please forgive me." I shake my head. "Please, just let me make love to you and remind you that I want you," he begs. "Remind me or yourself?" I ask him, refusing to look at him.
"Remind you! I know who I want. It's you!" I shake my head again, fighting tears. "Is that why you left in the middle of me sucking your cock? Because you want me so bad?" He sighs, moving to me. "Please, just be with me. I'm sorry, I've said it. Please."
I know I need to do something that will hurt him like he's hurt me, so I reach into my drawer. "Sure, you can fuck me. You're wearing this though," I say as I shove the condom into his chest. He looks confused from it to me. "Why would I do that?"
"I don't know where you've been. Wouldn't want to catch something," I say, moving past him. He stands, stunned by my words, staring at the package in his hand. "Are you serious? You think I fucked someone else?"
"Well, you were gone all night with your ex fiancé, which you forgot to mention, so I don't know. Maybe you fucked him after my mouth got you nice and hard." He looks as if I've slapped him.
"I'm leaving, we can talk about this tomorrow. I really am sorry, Thomas. I didn't mean to hurt you." I shake my head, all I seem able to do. "But you did." He stares for a moment and leaves, quietly shutting the door.
I slide to the floor and sit, for hours, my mind feeling empty. My phone buzzes and I already know it's from him. Multiple texts come in at once.
This isn't over, Thomas. I'm sorry.
I don't know why I lied, or why I left you, but I really am sorry.
Nothing happened with him, I only want you. You have to know that.
I don't bother answering, instead I move to bed and fall asleep alone, just like last night.