Flabby Patty

16.

My feet ached like hell from walking all the way home. I had invited Hunter inside but he had refused and without another word he walked away.

Mom was home and she greeted me with a hug when I walked in. "What's in that bag?"

"Oh, its just a dress that Hunter bought me for prom," I mumbled plopping down on the couch in the living room.

"Its beautiful," mum' eyes widened as she held the dress up to get a better look at it. "Seems expensive."

"It doesn't matter mom because I am not going with him," I replied placing my legs on the table in front.

"Who are you going with?" She asked.

"Mackenzie."

"You haven't brought him home," she sat down next to me. "You keep telling me he's the guy you're dating but never let me meet him."

"Maybe on Prom night mom," I sighed resting back my head on the couch.

"What's wrong sweetie?" Mum touched my forehead. "You seem pale."

"I dunno what to do Mom," i held back the tears in my eyes. "I am so confused."

She smiled warmly. "Well the best way to get out of a dilemma is to listen to your heart and not your head."

☆

I got into bed that night, thinking about the whole day. Mac, Hunter. Hunter, Mac. Listen to your heart mom had said. But it was not easy.

I heard a tapping sound on my window which scared me out of my wits. Slowly, I got out of bed to see Mac waiting for me. Opening the window, I let him in.

"Its a chilly night," he said rubbing his hands together.

My heart ached. I liked Mac, I really did but I couldn't be sure about him unless I got some answers from him.

"What's wrong baby?" he cooed touching my shoulders.

I shook my head and sat down on the corner of my bed, Mac followed.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" I clasped my hands over my lap not looking at him.

"Ofcourse Patty," I felt his arm wrap around my shoulder as he pulled me close to him, kissing the side of my head. Why did my heart doubt him?

"Why did your mom and dad get divorced Mac?" I still didn't look at him as I spoke.

"Why are you asking me that?" He let go of me and turned my face towards him.

"I know about your Dad," I replied.

His face fell and went completely pale. "What do you mean?"

"I know you lied to me, Mac," I cried. "Why would you lie?"

"I didn't want you to feel sorry for me," he said firmly.

"Feel sorry?"

"I mean isn't that what happens when you tell people your father is dead," he clenched his fist.

"So you feel sorry for me?" I got to my feet. "Is that why you're dating me?"

"Don't be ridiculous Patty," he rolled his eyes getting on his feet too. "I am dating you because I like you."

"But you didn't trust me enough to tell me the truth," I backed away from him. I wanted to burst out crying but I wasn't going to act vulnerable in front of him.

"I am sorry Patty," he lowered his head. "But don't you think you're making this a big deal?"

"It is a big deal!"

"How?!"

"You lied to me that your father died in a fire," I cried. "That's why you moved here."

"Fine," he dug his hands in his pocket. "I kept that from you. But that's the only thing I hid from you."

"And your mom?"

"She really is sick Patty," Mac's voice got shaky like he was about to cry. "She has cancer."

I felt so selfish for acting the way I had been. "And again you didn't trust me enough to tell me!"

"Oh my God Patty," his voice shook. "Why are you picking a fight with me?"

Was I?

"I AM NOT!"

"You're only looking for an excuse to break up with me," he bit his lip trying hard to hold back his tears.

"I am not," I muttered softly. "That's not what I am doing."

"You're a terrible liar Patty," Mac growled grabbing my arm. "How stupid do you think I am?"

I blinked. "What are you talking about?"

"You're trotting around with Hunter all the time," he let out a sarcastic laugh. "Suddenly you start doubting me after you and him seemingly became friends. And you seemed to forget that I was the one who liked you first. I gave you love and attention. Why would you choose him over me?"

"You're over thinking Mac," I whispered touching his cheek. He really was. I didn't like Hunter. My heart ached for Mac and not him.

"You're not wearing the ring I gave you," Mac said looking at my hands.

"I-I lost it," I lied. If i told him the truth he would definitely break up with me.

He sighed shaking his head. "No worries. I can get you a new one."

"No," I blurted out. "You don't have to."

"But I want to Patty. I want to prove it to you that my feelings are true," he pushed my hair out of my face and leaned in. Sparks flew across the room as I felt his warm lips on mine. He sat on the edge of my bed, pulling me over his lap.

His soft hand trailed up my back pulling me closer to him. Breaking the kiss, he rested his forehead on mine. "Patty," he breathed. "I love you."

And there was that moment again where I needed it to be a movie so i could faint and get away from answering that. My eyes got big as I stared at him with my mouth hanging open. I didn't know what to say. My heart said I love you too but my mouth was broken.

"Say something," he whispered with a worried look on his face as he pulled away.

My lips, my tongue were broken. I couldn't utter a single word. And that's when I knew. I knew why i couldn't answer him.

"Patty," his voice got shaky again and he rubbed my shoulders. "You're scaring me."

I got off his lap and covered my face with my hands. This was so fucked up. My mind was all over the place because I had finally figured it out.

I was in love with Hunter.