Lessons from a Rude Boy

Life is Short

Crying people is not something I have ever been comfortable with, even as Izzy sobbed about my callous brother breaking up with her because he was leaving for college soon and didn’t want to be tied down, I felt uncomfortable. My unease only multiplied when I voiced my opinion.

          “Well he’s right,” to me the comment seemed rational as I patted her shoulder in a consoling manner.

          “What?” she reared away from my touch, accusation in her wide eyes. “How can you say that?”

          “Izz,” I tried to smile, but she narrowed her eyes, “we are leaving for college in less than four months. He’s going all the way to California and you’re staying here in Texas,” she shook her head. “Why would you want to inhibit yourself by having a long distance relationship,” all movement stopped as I uttered the last words, “especially with a boy who took three months to even make your relationship official.”

          “What are you saying?” she sat back against her pillow, watching me closely.

          “Did you think you guys were going to be together forever?” silence greeted me. Of course…she was in love. “I mean think about the number of girls he dated while you two were involved,” she flinched, “and that was while you were in the same town, what did you think he was going to do with you thousands of miles away?”

          “I can’t believe you,” it was a screech, well at least she stopped crying. “How can you say that to me? You are supposed to be my friend.”

          “That’s why I say it,” nostrils flared as she shook her head violently, “I’m your friend.”

          “Could have fooled me,” she snarled.

          “You don’t mean that, you’re just upset,” okay that was a little condensing.

          “I do mean it,” she stood up, “you think you’re being rational, but you’re just bring a bitch,” that hurt a little. “You’re my best friend, you’re not supposed to be on his side, even if he is your brother.”

          “Tell me what I am supposed to do then,” I rolled my eyes, rising from the bed as well.

          “Console me!” she yelled, throwing her arms out in anger. “Eat ice cream with me until we fall over, bash boys with me,” I rolled my eyes, “plot the death of your brother on my behalf, at least hand me a freaking tissue.”

          “I’m sorry,” so wasn’t. “Would you like me to kill my twin brother? Or should I just run out and get a gallon of rocky road ice cream, some stupid chick flick that makes you believe in love again, and help you wipe your snotty nose?” I turned toward the door. “Call me when you get over this crap.”

          “What about Mason?” my hand froze.

          “What about him?”

          “Are you going to do what your brother did and dump him just because you are going off to your fancy pants university?” until just then June had seemed so far away, but with that question she reminded me that only four months stood between me and the rest of my life.     

          “I don’t know,” it was the truth. We’d only started dating…well whatever it is that we are doing it just started and it seemed wrong to give it an expiration date, but there it was 6/24/2012 stamped in big red print. My shoulder slumped as the door handle twisted under my hand, we might as well already be over. “Bye Izz,” the broken words were just thrown casually over my shoulder not indicating that she had rocked my world in the worst possible way.