The Favor (BOOK 1 & BOOK 2 INCLUDED)

19. Don't You Dare Call Me Lilypad

School was a nightmare.

The bags under my eyes were massive. Every morning I wake up, look in the mirror and feel shame. Shame because I didn't get any sleep anymore. And I didn't get sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about Brendon. The thoughts of what it could have been between us race through my head every night, and I come close to crying because none of those fantasies were real. I still cling to hope that he'll come back.

But he won't.

Not only that, but my negative feelings for Gillian had sprouted. Every time I saw her, I wanted to go off on her. It's hard to contain my anger.

March would be here soon. Brendon's birthday was on the 14th of March. That would mark a month from when we stopped talking.

He kept trying to get my attention. He'd make small talk with me, but I'd ignore it every time.

For some reason, today was different.

"Why won't you talk to me?" He stated firmly. No warming up to ask the question, just bright and bold.

He should know why.

"I'm talking to you." I kept my head down.

"No, you aren't. Tell me. Now."

"Why does it matter to you? You're a little busy with Gillian to care."

"I'll never be too busy for you."

"Speaking of her, you should get back. She's looking for you." I make eye contact with him, putting my hands on my hips and pursing my lips together. I may have let off that I had attitude, but looking into his eyes was like a stab in the heart. He looked... Sorry.

He's not sorry.

"No, I'm talking to you right now. So tell me, why are you ignoring me?"

Boys are so oblivious.

"You're with Gillian. The deal is done. I did you your little favor. There's no need for us to talk anymore."

"Did you even listen to what I said at the football game? It isn't all about Gillian anymore! I still like you as a friend and I don't want to stop talking." His forehead creased.

"Did you ever consider, that maybe, the whole time it was about Gillian for me? Maybe I don't like you. Maybe I do want to stop talking." My voice was cold, and it grew louder with each statement I made.

"That's not true. I know it's not."

"And how would you know?"

"Because, you were... You were a different person. This isn't you, and─"

"Everyone needs to stop telling me that I'm a different person. Nobody is in a place where they can tell me that I've changed. And I certainly have not changed. This is me. And if you have a problem with me, then you have a problem with me. There's nothing you can do to fix me."

"I'm not trying to fix you. You're ignoring me. I know that you know you've changed. And I want the old you back and I─"

"Brendon!" A loud squeal calls. We look to the noise, and I couldn't have been more grateful that Gillian was coming than I was in that moment. I was close to losing it all, and having a breakdown in the middle of the hall.

"I've been looking everywhere for you," she says with a huge smile. They kiss, and I take my escape route and begin to quickly walk away.

Waiting in my car is Trevor, staring down at his phone. He takes his sunglasses and sets them on his messy, dark brown hair.