My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 13: Love Is Just A Four Letter Word...

Chapter 13: Love Is Just A Four Letter Word...

Carter
After the art museum, we decided to go eat some food. I've been in a foul mood ever since we saw Jonah with Heather.

"Are you okay?" Tommy asks me when I finish my order.

I nod slowly before shaking my head. "No. I'm really confused."

He gives me a sympathetic smile. "You wanna talk about it?"

I grab my food and we sit in a booth near the back. "I just... Jonah is working my last nerve. That day at the dance, when we first met, he had failed to mention he was already seeing someone. Then he breaks up with her to be with me, but Lindy didn't approve. So Joe, his friend, decides he wants to date me only to break up with me three days later." I pause to drink some water before there's still more. "So Jonah, being the nice person he is, takes me out. While he's still with Heather. He told me he'd break up with her but he hasn't. And by the looks of it, he won't break up with her anytime soon."

He nods. "Okay. So what are you confused about?"

I sigh. "I don't know. I mean you're a guy. And obviously, you've had other girlfriends before. Would you lie to then just to make them feel better? Would you just make them think something just because you can't stand seeing them with someone else or would you be completely honest about everything?"

He stays silent for a moment before shaking his head. "No. I wouldn't lie just to make them feel better. But I also wouldn't just be completely honest, either."

I let out a small groan. "Gee, thanks," I mutter, stuffing a handful of fries in my mouth. Are all guys the same about lying?

He starts eating, an uncomfortable look on his face. "I didn't make you mad, did I?"

I look over at him. I see a worry flash through his eyes and I visibly soften. "No," I say in a quiet voice. "I just don't understand why guys would think lying is the best way to get through to girls."

He sighs. "I don't think that," he says softly. "But I do think girls can sometimes be emotional about things and completely flipped if the guy is telling the truth."

My eyes narrowed. "So you're saying that lying is okay?"

He lets out a frustrated groan. "No, Carter. I'm saying girls want the truth but they get mad when you give it to them."

"And that's what you think?" I demand.
"Youre proving my point," he points out.

I huff. I am so done with this conversation. "Okay,' I finally say calmly. "I actually have to get home though."

Before he could say anything, I got up from my seat and gave him a small wave. "See you tomorrow."

I run all the way back home.

*~*~*~*~*

Aunt Hellen walks in my room with a plate of food. "I didn't see you eat."

I look up at her. "I already ate with Tommy."

She nods. "Okay. And what happened?"

I frown. "What do you mean?"

She sits in the edge of my bed. "Not much. Just that when you came in, you had slammed the door then rushed up to your bedroom. Now I'm just putting buts and pieces together and saying you had a fight with either Tommy, Lindy, or Jonah."

I roll my eyes. "It wasn't anything bad."

She leans in closer without saying anything and I know that's my cue to keep talking.

I sigh. "When Tommy and I went to the art museum, we saw Jonah. He was with Heather. And I really tried not to start anything but I just couldn't help but get mad."

She nods, a warm look on her face.

My eyes were starting to water and I know it'll be no time before I start crying. "I asked Tommy why guys feel like lying is a way to get through to girls. And he basically said yes."

Her eyes grow dark. I know how she feels about lying.

"How am I supposed to ever fall in love?" I say, tears rushing down my face. "If guys are lying to me just to make me feel good then how will I ever know if they actually love me or not?"

She stays silent for a moment. Then I her her sigh. "I don't know what to tell you," she says softly. "But I've learned over the past few years that love is not a real thing. I mean, look at me. I'm raising Kevin on my own. And all because I thought he loved me."

I wipe at my face. "But maybe you would've been better off with someone else."

She shakes her head. "No, honey. Us, girls, we don't need love. Love is just a four letter word people say but never really show. Love was not real then, it won't be real in the future, and it certainly won't be real now. I'm perfectly fine without that excuse of a man and you will be too."

Love is just a four letter word, she had said.

Why didn't I figure it out before?

Jonah
I head out if class with a smile on my face. I just found out I'm passing Advanced Chemistry with a B plus. And there's no drama between me and Heather, so that's good too.

I see Tommy down the hallway and give him a nod. He stops in front of me with a scowl on his face.

"What's the matter?" I ask, frowning.

"I don't know what game you're trying to play. But you need to back off."

My eyes narrow. "What are you talking about?" I ask.

"I'm talking about Carter," he spits. "Stop lying to her. Stop making promises. And leave her alone."

His words were simple. Very understandable. But I'm still confused as to what this is about. "What?"

I see Carter walk around the hallway. "Tommy," she calls out. "We're gonna be late for class."

But neither of us move. I glare at Tommy and he shakes his head. "I mean it, Russo. Don't make things any worse than you already have."

And that's all he says before walking towards a slightly confused Carter.

"Wait, are you mad at me?" I ask Carter, walking towards them.

She huffs. "No, Jonah. I'm going to class."

I grab her arm. "What did I do?" I ask.

She gives me an incredulous look before ripping her arm away. "I'm not talking about this with you now, Jonah.
I sigh. "Is it about Heather? Because I know I said I was going to break up with her but I'm waiting until she breaks up with me. And I--"

"Stop," she says, her voice breaking. "I'm done with you, Jonah. I'm tired of this." She turns around again but I stop in front of her.

"Just give me another chance," I beg. I'll break up with her. I'll stay with you."

She shrugs indifferently. "I told I'm done and I mean it. I'm not going to worry about your feelings towards me anymore."

My shoulders deflate a little as I watch her and Tommy leave to go to their next class.

But I was having a good day.

HEY!! I FINALLY HAVE AN UPDATE READY!!!!

I KNOW MOST OF IT WAS IN CARTER'S POV BUT I STILL HOPE YOU LIKED IT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK AND FEEL FREE TO COMMENT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HOW CARTER REACTED? DO YOU THINK SHE WAS BEING REASONABLE ABOUT BEING DONE WITH JONAH?

WELL, IM DONE SPEAKING FOR NOW.

EARLY UPDATE: 48 VOTES, 42 COMMENTS.

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