To Fall or Fight?

Chapter 9

After being released from the hospital, my parents were around me like hawks watching my every move. Since I was on bedrest there was barely anything for me to do, I mean it wasn't like I could call my "best friends" over and ask them to give me company. They were probably too busy having sex for all I know I think, scoffing.

I turn to my side on the bed making sure to keep my head elevated when I hear a knock on my door.

"Hey Jess, your mom let us up. How are you feeling?" My friend Clara from the gym asks, with Jamie and Sophia by her side. I had known these girls for quite some time now, ten years to be specific, but we were never that close. The gym was always about competition and with everyone practicing so much, there was never time for gossip.

"Hey guys! I'm feeling okay, just antsy to finally get back on the matts. How's practice?" I ask, sitting against my beds' backboard. "Sit down guys." I tell them as they sit down on the couch, opposite of my bed.

"Good, you know Coach, always working our asses off." Jamie groans. "We had practice from 8am to 6:30 pm yesterday."

"Man I don't even care. Nationals are coming up and if we don't beat Denver, there's no way in hell we can compete." I say, running a hand through my hair. "And to make things worse, my doctor said I can't attend practices for the next two days."

"What? Nationals are next week Jess, and you ditched out on the last two practices." Clara says, looking at me suspiciously.

"The real question is; what exactly were you doing?" Sophia asks, with a grin on her face. "Stayed awake too long with Luke?" Before I can respond, my bedroom door opens up to reveal devil himself.

"Uh-you hungry? I bought you some Chipotle because I know how much you like it." Luke nervously stutters, scratching his neck as he looks around at the three girls. It's almost as if he heard part of our conversation, no surprise there, he was always a good eavesdropper.

All I wanted was to tell him to get lost, but I wasn't in the mood to answer questions for the girls. I knew with news out about Luke being single, that they were jump at the opportunity. At one time I would have thought that Luke wasn't that type, but I guess you can't be too sure.

Without looking in his direction I respond with a, "I'm not hungry, thanks," and resume my conversation with the girls. Before I can open my mouth Luke cuts in.

"You haven't eaten since you got back from the hospital, you need the energy," he commands, acting as though he's my father and I'm the child.

"Luke, I don't need you here telling me what to do and I sure as hell don't need you buying me shit so get lost," I angrily demand, forgetting that the girls were still in the room. Noticing the tension, they all give me mumbled replies of "bye" and hurry out of my room, leaving me alone with a pissed of ex-boyfriend.

"I made one mistake, are you really going to hold it against me, forever?" He asks me. One mistake I think, laughing.

"Luke, a mistake is forgetting to call me or falling asleep on me, but cheating on me is not a simple mistake!" I scream at him, making him close the distance between us.

"Jessica I'm sorry, please forgive me. I love you," He says, grabbing my hand and pulling it closer to his heart, tears forming in his eyes. All I want to do is give in, but I can't. My heart wants him, but the rest of me knows better. How can I trust him not to make the same mistake over again?

"Tell me why, Luke. Tell me why you did it and don't lie to me," I stare into his eyes, as he answers my question.

"She loved me Jessica and asked me to be her first. I just-I don't know why I did it, okay? It was just supposed to be a one night thing and all I wanted to do was help her. She was desperate and told me she would never be over me and so I felt guilty. I told her I would never love her and so I just didn't think it mattered if I did this. She is our best friend Jess, please." Nothing hurt more than knowing they planned this and I knew I would never be over it.

With tears leaking through my eyes I whisper," Goodbye Luke," knowing from this day on, we were over. Six years of a relationship were just over, just like that.

I expect Luke to beg me or put up some sort of a fight, but I guess I'm just not important enough. One chapter of my life closes and another begins.