Set Him Free

When Jealousy Flared

Once her feet were safely off the stage, she ran towards us with a grin on her face. I smiled shyly at her, prepared to hug her in congratulations, but her petite body went slamming into Trent's before I could open my arms. He lifted her up and twirled her around in the air, both of them laughing joyously all the while. I took a few steps back to avoid being kicked to the ground.

It was after the last showing of our school's performance of Alice in Wonderland and we had waited only ten minutes before Scarlett came from behind the curtains in her Alice costume. I didn't exactly know why I agreed to come because our relationship had never been the same since we fell apart 3 years ago. Trent may have forgiven me eventually, but Scarlett and I's friendship had been strained ever since.

It hurt seeing them this close. I knew it was my own fault, losing them, but I had gotten particularly close to Trent the past few months. I knew Scarlett was jealous and upset at him for letting me hang around them so much, but I still held onto the hope that she would forgive me. Her sharp glares and snappy tone never left my radar, but I wasn't going to leave Trent again.

I waited until he set her down and congratulated her before I tapped on her shoulder to make her turn around. I handed her the flowers we pitched in to buy and said, "You were great tonight. I really enjoyed it."

She took the flowers with her teeth sunk into her bottom lip, surprise written on her face. "Thanks," she said quietly, before turning back to Trent.

We left the auditorium with them holding hands, laughing and whispering to themselves while I walked behind them. I caught Trent's apologetic gaze more then once, but I waved it off with an encouraging smile every time. They both needed this time together, I told myself. They deserved it.

Once Scarlett was finished talking to her family and friends outside the auditorium, we headed to the parking lot where they finally both acknowledged me. "I'm going to take Scar home," Trent said, looking at the girl hanging onto his arm before turning his eyes towards me. "She's really tired and wants to get some rest."

Scarlett, her cold stare never leaving my tired one, tugged on his sleeve and said in a pouting voice. "But Trent, you promised we could go out and celebrate tonight."

I raised my eyebrows. Didn't she just tell Trent she was tired? He must have realized this too because he looked at me nervously. "Oh, I guess I did. You can come if you-"

"No, don't let me get in the way of your plans. You guys go have fun," I said with a forced smile. Scarlett smirked in victory before stepping closer to Trent, much too close for my liking.

"See, I told you she wouldn't care," she confirmed while discreetly tugging him towards his car. "She'll be fine."

I nod in agreement, sending him a tired smile. Although it was obviously not genuine, his features softened in what may have been relief. He wanted to get away with her. I shook my hurt away, stepping closer to hug him. It was short, mostly because Scarlett never let go of his arm, but I pretended not to care as I bid them goodbye and walked quickly back to my second-hand car. It's your fault they're like this, Paige. You're not allowed to feel broken anymore.

I told myself countless times after Trent and I made up that everything they did that hurt me wasn't their faults. Trent was mostly oblivious to my fake enthusiasm and understanding, but Scarlett had every right to make my feel like crap. I deserved it, after all. They deserved to be happy together, just like how I was once happy with Atticus.

Driving home that night, listening to my happy playlist, I forced myself to smile and sing along with the upbeat tune. No one could break this shield, no. I was bulletproof. Her eyes sent fire hurling at me but I had a wall surrounding me. Their laughing and holding hands was expected and I was supposed to support them. They were perfect together.

I walked to my doorstep feeling drained, but my fake smile was still plastered onto my face. I didn't let it drop while I got ready for bed. I hummed while I made hot chocolate. I laughed at my step-brother's jokes like I had just had the best night of my life. My family didn't need to see my brokenness. They thought I was okay. And I guess I was, mostly. 

It wasn't until they were all in bed that I let my smile fall faster then water over a cliff. I curled up on our couch with my cocoa, scrolling through Netflix with disinterest. I wasn't overbearingly sad, but I couldn't be happy either. It wasn't a new feeling at all, but I still hated feeling this empty.

Only 5 minutes passed before my doorbell rang. I checked the clock on the wall in curiosity. Eleven o'clock. I pushed myself off the couch, the blanket still cocooned around my body as I waddled to the door.

Trent stood on the other side when I opened it. Armed with a cheeky grin, a bag of microwaveable popcorn, and a chick flick he said, "I thought you'd need a friend."

I let him in quietly and we watched Pitch Perfect like the play never happened. I didn't ask him about Scarlett and he didn't ask me how I was feeling. We just sat there, laughing at the movie at the correct moments, and made bright memories to cover up the dark ones.

He looked out for me. And I loved him for it. But not the addiction kinda love.

More like the "I'm so grateful for you and I don't know who I'd be without you in my life" kinda love.

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A/N

Hello :)
This chapter is 1K+ words!

It's very long compared to my usual 500, but I felt like I owed it to you all.

Comment, vote, and share! And thank you for all your comments in the past chapters. They really encourage me a lot.

-Tessa :)