Jealous (Anthony Padilla)

Anthony

"Ian!" I called as I pushed through the exit, "What the hell, Ian? Stop walking away!" I continued to follow behind him until he stopped, "We have to talk about this!"

"What is there to talk about?" He shouted at me, "I'm fine, just leave me alone!" He turned to walk away and I moved quick to grab the back collar of his shirt, "Let go of me, man!" He shouted, smacking my hand away.

"Ian, what is the problem?" I asked him loudly, "Why can't you just be supportive? Why are you acting like a dick?"

"You're the one acting like a dick!" He shouted at me, "You're praising a girl that you just met and completely shoving me to the side as if I don't exist. You get attached too easily, and when you get attached you forget about me!"

"Not everything is about you Ian!" I shouted angrily, "Why can't you just be happy that I'm happy and get over the little things that bother you? Why can't you just be glad that I got over Kalel?" I felt the words tearing away at my heart but I fought to contain my emotions.

"Why don't you realize that this exact same thing happened with her?" He practically screamed, "You got attached too easily and ditched your friends at every chance to spend time with her. Look where that got you!" I felt my heart fall in my chest.

"That is completely different!" I yelled and he began to shake his head.

"No, Anthony, it's not!" He shouted at me, "Everything that happened with Kalel is happening again with Jade. You are putting her above everything, and Jade isn't normal! She isn't the kind of girl to stay trapped in a relationship. She's dark and controlling, but you don't see that! I can't do anything to help you if you aren't going to help yourself."

"I don't need your help, Ian," I told him roughly as the memories of my breakup tore at my heart, "I can handle myself!"

"How many arguments have you gotten into already?" He asked me forcefully, "How many times have you given in to what she wants because of how she acts? She's controlling. She isn't going to treat you like you deserve to be treated."

"How do you know?" I shouted, "You haven't even attempted to be friendly with her! I don't understand how you can be so selfish! It isn't your relationship!"

"Anthony, you are my best friend! I don't want you to be dragged down by some girl again!" He told me and the intensity in the air dropped.

"Why can't you just trust me?" I asked with a scratched voice as I took deep breaths, "Why can't you just trust my decisions and, if they end up hurting me, be there for me? A true best friend wouldn't sit there ridiculing someone because of stereotypes. They would be supportive. I really care about her."

"I just don't want you to get hurt again," he said calmly and huffed lightly, "It hurt me to see you and not be able to help after your breakup with Kalel."

"Jade isn't anything like Kalel," I told him calmly as the intensity fell, "She's different, but she's good different. I really want you to see her potential. I don't like arguing with you."

He shook his head slightly and met my eyes again, "I don't think that I'll like her, but I'll try for you." He said hesitantly and turned to face the ground.

"Thank you," I said to him and stepped forward, "Can we hug?" He hesitantly looked up, but gave in quickly.

We both moved back towards the building, but when I got inside I noticed that Jade and Noah were gone, "Where did they go?" I asked around, but no one had an answer. I dialed their numbers multiple times, but neither she or Noah would answer.

"Let's just go back to the house, man," Ian said to me, lightly tapping my shoulder, "Noah probably brought her home. I'm sure she can handle herself."

I took Ian's advice and drove back to our house, worrying about Jade the entire drive. I knew that she could handle herself, but I didn't want her to feel threatened by Ian.