ON AND OFF THE SCREEN || J.N ✔️

5.

time skip: a day in april 2016, the day after jace posts the photo of him and isabela, giving everyone the heads up they were an official couple.

why did i have to fall in love with him?

i lay on my bed, motionless. the only sound i can hear is the wind outside.

my phone, on my bedside table vibrates. reluctantly i grab it, praying it isn't something about jace and isabela. and of course it just happens to be.

riele
did you hear about jace and isabela??

maggie
yep. man, it hurts

riele
coming over rn with food and movies. don't try and stop me

i didn't get him fast enough. the boy that i had fallen in love with a mere three years ago is gone from my reach.

i turn my phone off and lay back down, my hands on my stomach, moving up and down with my breathing pattern. i don't feel like crying nor do i feel upset. i feel confused with myself because i didn't tell him my feelings for him when i could've. when he could've been mine.

soon enough, riele bursts through the door. she throws a plastic bag on my bed and sits by me, her legs criss cross.

"mags, it's hard to eat ice cream and watch dcoms if you're laying down," she says, digging through the bag.

i stay in my position for a few additional seconds, then sit up, tucking loose hairs from my messy bun behind my ear.

"it hurts, i know it does. give it a week. jace will see right through isabela and come running back to you," she says, looking at me.

she looks hurt for me. not the 'my best friend just got her heart broken so i have to feel something', but truly and deeply hurt. i bite my lip and collect my emotions before i can speak.

"this is why we're best friends. you do all the talking, so i don't have to break my heart anymore," i respond, the smallest smile forming on my lips.

"you're gonna get through this. it'll take a lot of movies and even more ice cream," she says,  pulling out camp rock and chunky monkey.

we watch and eat, one of our favorite activities to do together. about an hour into the movie, mom opens the door a crack, enough to peek her head through the door.

"oh, hi mrs. parker!" riele says, pausing the movie.

"riele, please call me jodie! i insist," she starts, "maggie, we're meeting the normans for dinner at the country club at six. just wanted to let you know so you can fix your appearance," she says.

"great," i respond with a hint of sarcasm, but not enough that mom could sense anything.

i rub my hands over my face as riele turns the tv off.

"ok, we're going to make you the cutest you have ever been which will be hard to do, but we'll try," riele says, walking to my closet.

"why? it won't make him break up with isabela or anything," i respond, standing up.

"you'd be surprised at what you can do," she retorts, shaking her head.

she pulls out a white dress and matching white wedges, clothes that i have never worn since i purchased them.

"do your thing, get dressed!" she says as she steps out.

i change into proper undergarments, then into the dress. i look at myself in the mirror. i've never been the most confident person, but i feel unstoppable in the clothes riele chose.

i open the door, riele's eyes immediately on me. "y'know, you are the most beautiful gem i have ever seen. now, i've learned how to do beach waves using a hair straightener. let's try it out!" she says, digging in a drawer for the straightener.

i turn on music as she fixes my hair, constantly hearing "oh, this is nice!" from her. after hair, she helps me with my makeup, since it needs to be 'extra special'. riele stands back and looks at her work, me.

i hug her.

"you're the best. if it weren't for you, i'd be going to dinner in my pajamas and epic bedhead," i say, tightening the hug.

"what are friends for? i'll be heading out now. i'll put the ice cream in the freezer and try to catch a peek of nate," she responds, smirking at the thought of my brother. she picks up the bag and walks out.

i look at myself in the mirror again, smoothing out my dress and admiring how it compliments my body.

can an appearance really make a boy like you? i guess i'll find that out.

--