He Doesn't Know

Twenty Two

It's the afternoon by the time I get out of bed and get dressed for the day. Around an hour after I get up Geisel walks through the door. "Jeez Vera you scared the shit out of me! Why are you sitting there looking like you've been crying all night long? Is this why you didn't call me last night? Here I was thinking it meant you had a great night," she bombards me with questions. "Foster confessed his feelings for me," I say while never really looking at her. "Vera that's huge! I knew he liked you. Wait. Something else happened. What happened?" Geisel asks me while placing all her things down then coming over to be on my bed and getting under the covers to be next to me. "Fallon," I barely get out while finally looking over at her and now finding a frown on her lips.

I tell her everything. I mean everything. I had already told her some of the things that Foster and I have done over this winter break, but since learning about his feelings I see everything from a new light. By the time I tell her what happened last night there are tears in her eyes as well. "Oh Vera, why can't your life ever be simple?" she questions while giving me a warm smile. "Why didn't I see any of it Geisel? Was I that oblivious?" I ask her while leaning my head against her shoulder. She gives a small laugh and begins to pat my hair while answering truthfully, "You were blinded by your aching heart for Fallen and I think the thought never even crossed your mind that Foster might like you. Vera I do however believe that your friendship was real. He makes you happy and as your best friend I owe him everything for making you laugh again." I sit back up and look at Geisel, her face is sincere and I know she's only trying to help, but her words only make me more confused. "Last night if Fallon never stopped you, would you have given Foster a chance?" she blurts.

I get out of bed and begin to pace around the small space within our room. "I think so. I don't know Geisel. Ok? Do you see how confused I am?" I question her, but don't allow her to even answer before I add, "As much as I love Fallon, I don't want to be in a relationship where all we do is hurt each other. And you know it's what we've been doing to the other. But then here's Foster who could make me really happy, since he already does as my friend. I just don't want to deal with this right now. I wish last night never happened." I stop pacing and finally look at Geisel after getting all of my confession out. She's staring straight at me with no emotion on her face.

"You don't mean that, you want to know how I know that? You were so excited for last night, the dress you got was beautiful and you even told me about the princess moment Foster gave you. If last night never happened you wouldn't have realized that you were finally happy and yes I know you're not so happy right now, but you are. Deep down you know that you're finally happy again, because of Foster. Which brings up the next thing. Foster. You used one word to describe him...friend. He will always be your friend and I think that's all in your eyes he'll ever be. There's nothing wrong with that, but you need to accept that to not be confused. You love Fallon and I know he hurt you, but Vera, your heart has belonged to Fallon this whole time and his is yours. You two deserve to finally be happy for once. I love you and that's why I'm going to say this next part. I'm so glad last night happened, because you never would have gotten the courage to do what Fallon did. You never would have known the real truth about how Foster felt for you, because you've been holding onto your love for Fallon that no one else ever stood a chance to catch your eye. Not even Foster. Rest on the idea and listen to your damn heart. Okay?" her words slap me across the face and I sit back down on my bed to think everything over once again. "I'm going to take a walk now," I say out loud right before I get up to leave through the door.

**Foster's POV at the Carnival**

"We're next, are you okay?" I ask Vera as we move up to the front of the line for the roller coaster. She nods her head, but I know her better than that. She's lying. I know she must be so nervous right now in the way she hasn't said a word since we've gotten in line over eight minutes ago. "No you're not," I tell her.  She looks up to me and I can't hide the concern I have for her. "I'll be right next to you the whole time and I promise to never let go of your hand," I add while grabbing her hand into mine. I give it a little squeeze, as I hear us being called forward. As we wait for the rest of the seats to be filled she leans her head on my shoulder and scoots as close as she can to me. Then we're off and I can't help but find myself looking at Vera the whole time we're slowly going up the first hill.