White lies.

Part 4

Chapter 4. Kim.

"He's an asshole," I say angrily, dumping my books on your table.

"Who's 'he'?"

"Your asshat boyfriend."

Your eyes soften. "Oh, don't mind him--"

"He gave chocolates to me."

Your fingers tighten on the table. "Oh, did he?"

I glare. Sometimes you're infuriating. "As well as every other girl in school."

You splutter. "But he didn't give me any!"

I slam my hand on the table. "Exactly!"

You stare at me for a long, long moment, and then you say, somewhat sadly, "It's okay. I never expected him to get me anything."

"Has he wished you a happy Valentine's Day and said sorry he didn't get you chocolates or even talked to you?"

Your silence says everything.

"You deserve better," I say. "Even if you want to make the nerd jealous you can choose a better boyfriend."

You shake your head, and you smile weakly. "It's okay."

"You deserve better."

You shake your head at me and you leave.

You are leaning against the hood of my car when I reach, texting furiously on your phone.

You look up, smile, and say, "Gimme a ride home?"

I snort, getting out my car key from my purse. "I thought you were getting a ride home from the asshole? Why, he ditched you again?"

You look down, bite your lip, and you nod unconvincingly. "Exactly."

I stop. "What did he do?"

You look at me, sigh, and say, "He ditched me for some other girl."

"Why didn't you tell me? You had to wait for me to finish my extra class. I would have ditched that if you told me."

You smile weakly. "I'm not worth the trouble. Besides, you need to get a good grade in that class anyway."

My heart hurts for you. You look so alone, so breathtakingly fragile as you stare up at me, eyes wide. "You're worth it," I say. "You're my best friend, after all."

You smile brilliantly, even though plenty of cheerleaders have declared themselves your best friend before. "Thanks."

I unlock the car, you swing into the passenger seat, and from then on we don't talk.

Words are unnecessary.