Only Friends

Chapter 4

He hasn't texted me. We always text each other. From 7-8:15 every day. It's so important to us that we both put it in our CALENDARS. Why did Adalyn have to come to our school this year? Couldn't me and Dylan have stayed normal?
It was you, I realize with a start. You were the one getting worked up over him talking to Adalyn. Oh god. Oh god. Dylan was MAD at me. For the first time since we met each other in first grade. Ever. I let my heart take over as tears stream down my face. People probably have dealt with this stuff all the TIME. But it was always different for us. I had never, EVER gotten into a fight with Dylan. I'm not used to it, I didn't have experience with fights. My tears come faster. Crying won't help, I know, but what else can I do? Run over to his house and show him my proof of tears: my puffy eyes, bloodshot, and my red face? (My face always gets red when I cry). No. Stay strong, or what looks to be strong, even if inside, you're crumbling. Never show your weaknesses. My hair is really ugly, I think to myself, staring at my mousy brown hair in the mirror. My face is too chubby. And my eyelashes are all weird.
It's funny. I've never noticed my imperfections before, and now I do. Why?
Suddenly, my phone buzzes. I'm hoping, praying that it'll be Dylan.
My mom. She's coming home late.
I sigh. Maybe he'll text soon. But I really, really doubt it.
I turn my phone over, pondering.
I text him.
-I'm sorry
- why were you ignoring me?
- you were hanging out with Adalyn
- why does THAT matter more than our friendship???
I suck in a deep breath.
-never mind, Dylan
- no. I want a straight answer this time
I cringe, hoping my mom will come home soon so I can leave my phone and eat dinner. I don't want to tell him. Not now. Not over iMessage.
-I have to go bye
I drop my phone on my bed and run downstairs.
Nothing will make me tell him.