Red ✔

Allergic to Betrayal

I feel for the switch. A few dusty lumps are felt to my touch on the way. Gross. I find the light switch and flick it open. I look at Tyler and Leo apologetically, but I gape ruefully. My heart sinks at the sight. My best friend and my crush (or maybe turning into ex-crush) are kissing. My best friend. My crush. Betrayal. Those words cross my mind. Before Leo wrenches out her lips from his lips, Tyler's-My Tyler-hands cup Leo's sharp face. She has her arms wrapped around his ling neck. She looks pretty comfortable in that position. They are so close that it seems as though their body hates the space between them.

She stares at me, frightened. Questions come across my mind. How could she? She likes him and never once spoke about it? How long has she kept this secret from the 5ies? How long did she think she can keep from the 5ies? Is that why Nicole was uncomfortable when we are talking about Tyler? Maybe that was what you wanted to talk to me about.  Now, I am feeling bad for not giving her a chance to speak. At least she was not trying to keep secrets from me.

My throat is swelling up from the treacherous pain of betrayal. The suffocation chokes me bitterly from the utter betrayal. My heart pounds unusually quick from all this betrayal. My lungs are squeezing together so hard, it might pop from the betrayal. Betrayal. Betrayal! "Betrayal!" I blurt out, not being able to hold in my anger.

"Scar..." She looks terrified. "I can explain." Tyler is looking equally guilty, but he is as guilty as she is. 

"How can you?" my voice is shaking robustly. "You kept this from all of us...Me!"

"Scar," she begs.

My voice rises. "When I had a crush on him-a major crush on him, you didn't say anything-nothing, nada, and zilch! Oh my gosh, were you busy talking to him when you forgot your homework? How about that time when you were distracted in class? You were drooling at him, you lied! Why did you lie to us? You think you are better than us, don't you?"

"No, I will never—"

"You betrayed me, the 5ies, and most importantly, yourself."

"Scar, you have to listen to me. I don't mean to hurt you." Yes, you did.

I point at her, my hands shaking uncontrollably. "Leopard Beatrice Matthews. I. Hate. You." I snatch my phone from the floor and storm out.

How could she? How could she? How could she? I repeat over and continuously in my mind. Rejection hurts, but being lied to your face by one of your best friends is even worse.

"Scarlet!" she yells after me.

Nicole was...she was going to warn me about Leo and Tyler. I should have listened to her. That is why Tyler rejected me. Leo is already with him. How can I have been so stupid? I should have noticed the signs. Leo and Tyler was a thing before...I don't know when.  I growl in fury.

I grab my coat and wear it. I cannot be impolite, so I tap Christina's shoulder to let her know I am leaving the party.

"So soon?" she says, squeezing my arm. "Are you crying?"

"Um, no." I sniff. "It is allergies," I lie. I guess you cannot call it a lie; I am allergic to backstabbing friends and betrayal. 

"Well, thanks for coming. I hope you had fun." Just the opposite.

"Thanks, Christina! Happy Birthday!" I wave weakly. 

I am by the curb, trying to call my Dad to pick me up. I have to get out of this hellhole as soon as possible. I catch a glimpse of Leo following me. I cannot believe her. Does she not know the meaning of boundaries?  Not now, not like this. "Scar, let me explain."