Tell Me A Story

Final Chapter

Adam stood there, mesmerized. It had been hours since Michelle left, and night had come. He sat there. staring at the cold glass of soda in front of him. The cafe was quiet, his boss stepped out for a few minutes for a smoke. The door slowly opened and in came Jake Armstrong, his best friend.

"Hey."

"Sup?"

Shortly after, Ashley Anderson came in. They both removed their jackets and hanged them. They looked at each other, unsure why Adam had called them there. Before they could say anything, Adam stood up.

"You guys want something to drink? On the house."

They looked at each other again and sat down.

"Coffee, black."

"French Vanilla for me..."

"Coming right up."

Adam went to the counter and started to prepare his friends' drinks. He hummed a little tune while he did.  Ashley, fearing losing her precious friend, spoke suddenly.

"Adam, I..."

"You know... for a while I hated myself. I was angry at you guys at first. For doing something like that behind my back..."

Jake suddenly stood up from his seat.

"We would never--"

"I know, Jake. I was just blaming you guys. Directing my anger at you... It was unfair, of course. You probably didn't know. Then I hated myself for not being able to match up to Jake. For not being good enough for Ashley..."

Adam finished, brought the drinks to the table and sat back down again.

"So many thoughts filled my head... I was angry... Then afraid of losing my place by her side... of being replaced... I was in despair... I was many things... but as a friend... I failed to be happy for you guys. See, I..."

Adam looked downwards to his hands, looking for the words.

"Adam, we..."

"Ashley, please let me finish... Jake, you may joke around, but you helped me through everything. You were there for me when no one else was. I counted on you for everything... and when happiness came for you... I failed to be there with you, as your friend. I'm sorry. Ashley... you have gone through so much... suffered for so long... you needed someone to keep you safe... to make you feel loved. I thought for so long I should've been that one. But when Jake showed up, I ran away. Because I was selfish. I wanted you all for myself. And for that, I'm sorry..."

He looked up, with a giant knot in his throat. And smiled.

"I'm so sorry for being such a bad friend... but something happened, so I want to say this now. I love you guys so much. You can't even understand how important you two are to me. I wanted to be the most important person for you guys as well. So maybe I started to become a little bitter, thinking I'd be replaced by you guys with each other. I've come to realize that is not the case. I may not be the one person you two love the most, but I know that you both care for me deeply. I'm sorry for being so controlling and egotistical about it. Ashley, Jake is an amazing person. Understanding, loyal. He will die and kill for you with the same strength. Jake, Ashley is an incredible girl. She is so kind and wonderful, she will love you through everything that happens. Now don't make her cry, or I'll kick your ass."

Jake was getting emotional, trying to hold back. Ashley was already in tears.

"Don't worry, I'll be sure to be good for her..."

Adam got up and hugged the both of them and they hugged him back. Ashley wanted to talk to him, try and get this knot off her throat, but he separated from them and spoke again.