One Step Ahead

Chapter 1

Pierce the Veil blasts in my ears as I run. Gotta stay in shape for track season I tell myself mentally. Pausing for a second, I take a swig of my water and continue the rest of the way to my house. I'm about to turn off my music when my favorite song, "The First Punch", begins to roar from my earbuds. Instead of going with my original plan, I turn down my phone and tug out my left earbud.

"Mom! Dad! I'm home!" I announce, but, as expected, don't get a response.

I stride over to the counter, toss down my keys, and go through the mail. Bills, bills, and more bills! Nothing addressed to me though. I know I'm going to regret it, but I go ahead and check our answering machine. 2 new messages it reads. I press the play button.

"First message from Mom," the automatic voice drones. "Hey Hunny!" the message starts, "Guess you're not back from your run yet, but I just wanted to let you know that your dad and I are having a date night. If you're hungry, feel free to order anything or go out and buy anything. My credit card's on my dresser in my room, on the likely chance you do go out for food. Anyways, I'll see you tonight or tomorrow if you're asleep when we get home. Love you!"

Should've known it was one of Mom's spontaneous date nights. But if that was Mom, who's the other message from?

The oh-so cheerful automatic voice clicks back on. "Second message from Josh." The dull monotone voice doesn't give me enough warning for his voice and smooth words. "Uh, hey Twizzler. I wanted to try to talk to you. I know you probably don't want to talk or even acknowledge my existence, and that's ok, but I want to say I'm sorry. What I did is unforgivable, but I still love you and I miss you so much. I won't delve further in on the phone, but please call me back and enjoy your run."

As the house grows silent, I sink to the floor, body racking with sobs. It's funny how someone can wedge themselves into your life. After a while of them being there, they become a necessity and, suddenly, they're gone. You think that's the end of it, but it's not; the person, they continue to torment your mind. That's what Josh has done and is currently doing.

If he was another one of my exes, I could call him back, but he isn't. I can't call him back. Talking to him again would be like a recovering smoker trying a cigarette again. So instead of picking up the phone to call him back, I pick myself up off the floor, dry my eyes and go get in the shower.

*~*

After an hour long shower and whole lot more crying, I check my phone. 500 texts: group chats are such a pain in the ass. I go through my snapchat for a bit before being interrupted by a phone call from one of my extremely close friends, Damon.

I answer with an immediate, "What the fuck do you want?" without thinking.

"Nice to talk to you too, Liz. So, what did Josh do this time?" he asks, knowing me all too well.

I dive straight into the story of the message he left me and my reaction to the whole thing. 

He sighs for a moment then starts, "Babe, I think you know what I'm gonna say, but I'll speak anyway. I know you blame him for all that happened, rightfully so, but he does feel super bad. I strongly believe he deserves a second chance."

I cut in before he can continue any further, "I'm going to stop you there. You can not and will not blame this on Mel. She actually had the nerve to tell me what he did, so stop speaking."

"Don't you think it's a bit odd? Mel's story would make sense if it was a one-time thing, but that wasn't the case. It was over the span of three fucking months, Elizabeth; there had to be consent in there. Even if she doesn't want to admit it," he argues.

"Whatever Damon. You weren't there, so couldn't possibly grasp how sincere and upset she was."

"It may have sounded sincere, but I don't trust her. Mel just seems fake, and I don't like what I've heard about her."

I emit a snort of annoyance. "'From what you've heard about her?' I didn't know you listened and believed in such rumors. Such a gossip!"

At this point, his eyes are very sensibly rolling. I can practically hear the fucking motion over the phone.

"Ok, ok," he concedes. "I get it, but how about we make a deal?"

His question piques my interest, and, against my better judgment, I urge him. "Go on."

"Since you're so adamant your friend is innocent in this whole ordeal, I want to make a wager. If Mel truly is innocent and neither of us discovers any dirt about her involving the whole issue, I'll take you on a shopping spree, but if I'm right and Mel isn't so pure, you have to give Josh a second chance."

Now it's my turn to roll my eyes. "How stupid do you think I am? This is obviously rigged. You could make false evidence."

"No funny business, I swear. Do we have a deal or not?"

"Fine. What could possibly go wrong?"

Let me tell you. EVERYTHING.

*~*

Welp, apparently I can't have anything ready on time. I'm super sorry. At least you guys can have a binge reading session today since all three of my stories are getting updates because I can't get my shit together. Anyways, what are our thoughts on Josh? Damon? Elizabeth/Lizzie/Liz/Twizzler(Oh Lord, she has too many different nicknames)? Is Mel really that innocent? I should have another chapter up by Wednesday or Thursday, but things are crazy for me, so I'm sorry if I have another late update.