Behind The Screens

16 | New Year, New Beginnings.

Alex

It'd been about a week since I left the big apple, and over the flight back my feelings had changed. I wasn't depressed as much as I was infuriated. So, when Britten called this time, I picked up in hopes she'd never call again.

"What." I hastily answered. I heard a gasp, and she whispered, "um.."
"Look, if you're going to call, say something or don't call at all." I scathingly demanded. After a short pause, Britten mumbled, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry."
"Sorry that you cheated?" I retaliated. "Or sorry you got caught."
"I didn't mean to, I promise you it wasn't suppos-"
"What do you mean you 'didn't mean to'? How do you accidentally kiss my best- Tyler."
"He kissed me." She insisted.
"And you kissed him back!" I yelled.

"Is everything okay?" I heard Ma yell from the living room. "Fine!" I responded.

"I have to go." I spoke into the phone. "Alex, please, just hear me out." Britten pleaded.
"Why should I listen to you? You cheated on me, Britten! What could you possibly explain?!"
"Alex-"
"You don't care about the way other people feel while you're messing up, only when they tell you you've messed up."
"But I-"
"Sorry doesn't reverse time somehow and fix your mistakes, Britten. You're just like your dad."
There was silence on the other line. She said nothing, but I heard a sniffle and a sigh, then the phone beeped and she was gone.

I quickly realized that this time, I'd gone too far. I guess I was wrong for treating her like that, and yet I was still angry and would not try to call back. I chucked my phone at the bed in frustration and swung the door open. Ma was standing there.

"Alex..." She said, lying a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?" I shrugged her hand off of my shoulder. "I'm fine." I flatly replied and scathingly stormed past her. I walked out of the front door, deciding to get some fresh air and slammed the door behind me.

I breathed in the cold air and began walking. I attempted to clear my mind of all thoughts of Britten because no matter how mad I was, her beautiful smile would appear in my head... her messy, curly hair. Why couldn't I just forget?
I shook my head and shoved my hands in my jacket pockets. It wasn't nearly as chilly here in California as it was in New York, but still fairly cold.

I arrived at the beach shore, kicked off my shoes and lied down in the cool sand. The frigid water ran over my feet, making me flinch. I slid my hands under my head and stared at the sky. She would've loved this. She would've taken a picture and said, "would this look good on my page?"
She doesn't matter anymore. I thought to myself, covering my face.

"Hey," Someone's voice startled me. I uncovered my face and quickly sat up to see who was behind me. It was a girl. She looked around the same age as myself with her short brown hair and her Ray Ban glasses. She wore a beanie and a pink jacket with ripped skinny jeans.

"Um... hi." I said, scratching the back of my head. "Sorry if I scared you." She apologized, giggling. "I just wanted to see if you were okay." I nodded. "Yea, uh... yea." I said as she sat down next to me. The freezing water hit my feet again, so I pulled my knees up to my chest and rested my head on them. "Are you sure?" She asked again. I shrugged. "Kind of personal. Relationship problems... or whatever we are." I replied. "Oh," She said. "I know how you feel. I caught my ex cheating last week." I sighed. "I did too," I admitted. "Christmas Eve . . ."

And unconsciously, I began telling her the about everything that happened in that past week and some. It was a relief to finally speak the words I couldn't get out. And the best part was: she understood. She listened. I felt a connection with a girl who's name was still a mystery.