L'Éternité et Aprés

XII. Backup Plan

"Did you get my texts I send you yesterday?" I asked when she has just arrived at our apartment. Well, this apartment is under her name since she brought me in years ago.

She looked at me like I had three heads or something, and sighed. She then threw herself back onto the couch. "Yeah."

I folded my arms. "But why didn't you reply any of it?! I'm so worried of you!"

Her wide eyes met mine. "Please, not now. I'm so tired."

"Tired?" I mumbled back. "Where have you been actually?!"

"What the fuck, Maurice?" She snapped. She always called me Maurice when she was pissed off with me. "Leave me alone. I'm not in the mood to argue with you right now."

I shot her a disbelief look. "Did you... by any chance...?"

With a lazy expression, she added, "Yes, I knocked him up. Jasper's useless now so why would I keep him as my boyfriend? He doesn't even have a single penny."

My jaw dropped. I wanted to slap her. So badly.

That boyfriend - oh, no - ex-boyfriend of her was my former crush and one of my closest friend. But I ended up being a matchmaker for them, because she said she loved him. And me, being a good friend, I kept my feelings aside and I introduced Jasper to her. Weeks went by as they officially announced that they were a couple back in time.

At times, I even spent nights at another friend’s place just so she could get some quality time alone with her boyfriend.

I had no idea until then, she loved him because he had the inheritance his parents left him with.

"H-how could you?!" I gasped in shock. I owe Jasper so much and I had to stand up for him. I couldn't just sit calmly and let her be a scary monster, a damn gold digger. "He just got an accident! You can't leave him like that, Lola!"

She clicked her tongue. "You're so innocent, dear. I love him for his money, don't you get it? You're just jealous that I'm happier than you. That I'm more luckier than you."

"Enough!" I yelled. "Why are you being like this, Lola?" I held back my tears, that was harder than I thought. My face flushed red half in embarrassment, half in anger at betrayal.

She rolled her eyes. "I've always been like this, you're just too blind to see it. Every relationship is a barter system, isn't it? You were homeless so I brought you to live with me since I knew you're besties with Jasper. And you wanted to be popular so I made you join my group of friends. Now, I don't need you anymore. I never assume you as my best friend and yes, I've been manipulating you all the time, Maurice. Don't be so Little Miss Goodie Two-Shoes."

My fists clenched, nails biting into my skin. I was very dumbfounded of what she just said. She took me for granted? That's why she wanted to be my friend?

She raised her brows and smirked. "Well, people change, don't they? Why can't you deal with the fact that I've changed?"

I was in my own denial.

My best friend, the person I really love...

I couldn't hardcorely (is that even a word -_-) believe this.

I used to spend months saving up to buy her a perfect birthday gift, and I even dumped my boyfriend when she wanted me to spend more time with her every day. It was truly unconditional love, and I didn’t have any expectations from her. I didn't need her to love me back.

But after all I did, she didn't even care about my feelings.

I gave her my trust when it's one of my biggest fear, then she broke it like pie crust that meant nothing to her.

The worst part of a break up is losing your best friend.

But the most painful thing of losing your best friend is knowing they just used you after the whole friendship you both shared. When you were being sincere to them, they reckoned that every relationship was only a barter.

That gave me a fucking heartache. I was so devastated.

Then I laughed sarcastically. "Oh, I'm sorry, I should probably consider the fact you have better things to do than text me all day, like dumping your-now-poor-ex-boyfriend and rob some banks."

I didn't bitch slap her because I'm afraid that she'll slap me back.

I didn't bitch slap her because I'm never ever taking her for granted, at all. Fuck equality.

For the first time in my life, I actually realized something so heartbreaking.

Never make a wrong person your number one priority if you don't want to sacrifice your happiness and allow them to use you when in fact... you weren't even a priority to them.

She thought I'd never leave, but then again I knew I would.

And in the end, people always leave.