I Don't Want To Lose My Best Friend [ON HOLD]

But this is just me disguised as me

My eyes widened momentarily and I felt my heart pound in panic. I could hear Charlotte in the background but I didn’t realize just how close by she was.

“Oh no please don’t freak out…I just want to talk!” She rushed out. I bit my bottom lip but before I could answer her I felt Charlotte attack my legs and hug me tightly as she looked up at me.

“Momma you’re missing out on all the fun with Hime—oh…” She immediately turned shy and hid closer to me. Stephanie looked down at her and I saw the realization hit her features. There was no denying Tony’s eyes or shyness…even if she was the spitting image of me.

“Charlotte…this is Stephanie…a friend of daddy’s…” She waved cutely and smiled shyly, just like Tony and Stephanie sighed before smiling down at her.

“Hi little one, you’re gorgeous aren’t you?” Charlotte giggled and Stephanie crouched down to her level and offered her hand. Charlotte placed hers slowly in hers and shook it.

“Thank you Stephanie…you’re pretty too.” Stephanie laughed softly and Jaime came running over.

“Sorry about that, she just went running—oh…hi Steph.” Stephanie stood back up and smiled at Jaime.

“Hey Jaime, um, mind if I talk to Allison for a minute? It’s…it’s really important.” I looked at Jaime and he nodded, grabbing Charlotte from me before kissing my forehead and running over with her to the jungle gym.

“Do you want to go sit down?” I asked.

“Yeah sure.” We went over to the bench nearby and took our seats towards each other. I crossed my knee over the other and sat with my hands clasped in my lap.

“Uh…what’s going on?” I added softly. Stephanie bit her bottom lip before she let out a sad sigh.

“Tony broke up with me a couple of days ago…and I don’t blame him.” My eyes widened.

“What!? That’s not what I asked him to do! I asked him to make up with you and talk things out, I didn’t want to come in and ruin everything, I am so sorry—“

“No, don’t be…it had to happen. Even though he was the one to end it, I get it. I mean…it hurt, but I get it. He’s got you Allison, you’re a great girl, I mean anybody who gives up their own dreams to let another live out his own…I mean, I admire you. You have a lot of strength, strength I would never be able to possess and you sacrificed a lot for Tony. And, well, I’m sorry for saying those things I did about you, I was angry and bitter and I didn’t want to believe it so I said things and…I’m just really sorry. He explained to me all that you did to raise her…all you gave up…I feel so guilty now.”

My eyes softened as Stephanie’s tone grew quiet.

“Well thank you, I accept your apology, I’m just really sorry your relationship ended the way it did. I wanted him to try and make it work with you.”

“I know, he told me that, again, I really admire you for that, saying all that takes a lot of strength, I mean…you were each other first loves after all…” I placed my hand on her hand gently to let her know she had comfort.

“You are forced to grow up when you have a child…it taught me a lot and required me to do things I never thought I would. But I want you to know, that I hope you find happiness. And I’m so sorry this all happened.” Stephanie squeezed my hand.

“Don’t be, Tony and I weren’t all that happy anymore…it just wasn’t working. I’ll be okay, I mean, what makes it easier to move on is that I didn’t make the decision to end it, he did, so I have no regrets. None, and I know I’ll be okay and so will he eventually. But I think…I think you should go talk to him. He’s cut off contact with everybody, he needs you right now.”