The Quiet Ones

11. Dividing My Heart

"So what are you going to do?" Avery asked as she watched me pace back and forth on the shaggy carpet in the middle of my room.

I had just explained to her everything that had happened last night, and prior to that. She seemed very intensive and concerned, so I'm glad I picked her to listen to my problems. But then again, who else would I be able to go to?

"I don't know what I'm going to do. I mean, I like Nathan and all but I don't know if I want to ruin our friendship," I said while I sat next to her on the bed.

"True. Nathan has liked you for awhile."

"But then again, Levi's also a great guy and he's much more easier to talk to. He also listens to my problems and makes me feel better."

"But you've known Nathan longer," Avery added.

I groaned and laid back on my bed to watch the ceiling fan spin around above my head. Truthfully, I have no idea what I'm going to do. I hate the idea of having to pick one guy over the other.

"Parker, do you even know who Levi is?"

"Yeah, he's a great guy who I'm really close to."

"But it's only been, like, four days and you haven't even seen him in the daylight. You know, without his mask and all."

I thought it over and she did have a point. I never really see or talk to Levi after we vandalize. I don't even know his phone number.

"You're right. I guess I need to see what he's like when we're not running around and breaking into stores."

"Right. So, tomorrow night when you see Levi, ask for his number and tell him you want to hangout."

"Yeah, great plan besides the fact that I told Nathan I would give him a final answer today."

Avery groaned and laid back next to me on the bed. We both watched as the fan spun around in circles and cooled the air around us. I've always watched it while I laid in bed because it gave me peace.

"I mean, you could always tell Nathan yes and then go out on a date with Levi and decide after the date."

"Avery that's wrong. I couldn't do that to Nathan, it would break his heart. It's cheating."

"But is it? Is it Parker? Think about it, if Levi agrees to give you his number and hangout, there's not much to it. You two are just going out and having a good time. It's not a date, it's just two friends hanging out."

"I don't know. It still seems wrong. And what if Levi thinks it's a date?"

"If he does anything then break up with Nathan the instant that the date's over. That way, it'll happen to quickly that he won't be able to say you cheated on him."

"But that's still cheating."

"He won't know though. I think it's a great plan."

I bit my lip and thought over everything we had just discussed. Yeah, I could tell Nathan I want to go out with him, but if I 'hangout' with Levi and he pulls something than it would be considered cheating. But if I tell Nathan no and Levi ends up not liking me, then I'll be left with neither of them.

I sighed and got up from my bed with Avery following close behind me. I picked up my phone from my dresser and began typing in the numbers on the keypad.

"What are you doing?" Avery asked.

I shushed her and put the phone to my ear while I heard the ringing noise on the other line. After about ten seconds, the sound became muffled until I was greeted with a groggy voice.

"Hey Nathan. Can we talk?"