The Million Mile Hallway

Chapter 23 - Louise

It was one of the most surreal, unexpected moments of my life.

I practically shoved Brandon and his skanky girlfriend out of the apartment and froze when I saw Jason. It was the first time I'd seen him in person since I'd basically jumped on Wayne in front of him. I wondered what he thought of me now, and I almost ran away and hid from him like a little girl. But then I noticed that he hadn't even looked at me. He was staring at the girl I'd just ejected from my home.

"Holly" He said hoarsely.

"Jason!" The girl gasped. My eyes flickered back and forth between the two of them. Both of their bodies had stiffened at the sight of one another.

"You two know each other?" Brandon asked in confusion. Finally I had something in common with my older brother.

"We sure do" Jason whispered vaguely.

"How?" I asked.

"Jason and I used to date" Holly shrugged as if this was a normal thing to be happening.

"I better get to work" Jason mumbled as if he was unsure where he even was anymore. He took off, barging past us and basically jumping down the stairs, probably taking at least three steps at a time.

Despite his hasty exit, I couldn't help but see the look in his eyes. It was similar to when he'd seen me kiss Wayne but much worse. I didn't really know anything about this girl but I now knew for a fact that she'd broken his heart. The look in his eyes was the same one I was seeing in my own when I looked in the mirror.

"Guess I better go too" Holly said, rolling her eyes. "Call me tonight?"

"Sure" Brandon answered, looking like a deer in the headlights. Only when Holly left did he seem to return back to the human realm. "Well. That was awkward!" He cried before heading back inside.

Awkward didn't cover it for me. That was downright painful to watch.

I tried telling Lily the story and how, even though I was still mad at him, I felt really sorry for Jason. Uncharacteristically, she didn't seem to care though.

"Sure. Tragic" She sighed, not even looking at me.

"Are you ok?" I asked.

"She finally asks!" Lily cried.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that all you've been talking about for the last few months is Jason this and Jason that. It's getting pretty old, Lou"

"Then why do you keep asking about him?" I asked, taken aback by her attitude.

"I don't! You just keep bringing him up over and over again. You never ask how I am anymore!" I couldn't believe what she was saying, or the fact that she was actually right.

I had been neglecting my friends for someone else. Lily had been there for me for absolutely everything but I hadn't been returning the favour. Not even slightly.

"Lil' I'm so sorry" I sighed. "You're totally right. Can you forgive me?" I couldn't believe it had taken me this long to realise it.

"Of course I can you idiot!" She smiled as we hugged it out. This was why I loved her. A lot of people would have at least made me sweat over it but not my best friend Lily.

"So!" I began laughing. "How are you?"

"I'm great!" She replied cheerfully, but I could see that something was wrong.

"What is it?" I asked her, concern creeping into my voice.

"What? I'm fine!" She chirped, again noticeably not fine.