You Chose Mine

Chapter 31

“Hi you’ve reached Kennedy, leave a message and I’ll get back to you *beep*” I sighed as I hung up the phone.

“No answer?” Derek asked as he lent over the counter, I shook my head disappointingly. “She’ll come around” he said.

“You’re talking about a girl who cut off a friend because she stole her drink 3 years ago. I’m surprised she didn’t slit my throat in my sleep”, I walked from behind the counter to my office. I still have yet to clean up some of what I knocked off yesterday and my computer is currently getting its screen fixed.

“She wouldn’t kill you” he said. “You may know Kennedy but I know her too, I mean I did date her for 7 months”

“And I’ve been friends with her for nearly a year. Tell me who tops?” I said.

He snickered at my words, trying to make light of the conversation “I suppose she would if she was up for it”

“You’re hilarious…” I said sarcastically giving in and showing him a small smile.

He sat on my desk as I took a seat in my computer chair. “So where’s the four musketeers?” he asked.

“Twitcam at my apartment” I answered.

“Why your place?”

I shrugged “Better internet connection, food, better smell, I don't know…”

I sighed getting lost in my thoughts. I’ve already scrubbed up the drinks that Kennedy dropped on my carpet, but the moment has stained more of my memory than the floor. I’m trying to tell myself that I didn’t do anything wrong, that Luke was fair game and mine to begin with but both my heart and my head know that none of that is true.

I hurt my best friend in a way I never thought I could.

“We’re best friends; we’re sisters, like Perrie and Jade from Little Mix, cake and icing…” I said.

“Like Olivia and Elliot from Law and Order” Derek added.

“Exactly!” I exclaimed. I sighed as I felt myself fall into another state of sadness, “We’re one in the same and I hurt her in a way I promised myself I never would. I never should have let a guy get between us.”

“Shannon…” Derek said getting my attention. He hoped off the desk and knelt in front of me. “Tell me… honestly tell me” he began, “Do you love Luke?”

“Derek…” I whispered looking way from his eye contact

“No, do you love Luke?”

I bit my lip and looked up to him and nodded, “Of course I do” I admitted.

“Then notice that if none of this had happened you guys wouldn’t have been this close. He probably would have never been to your place... He probably wouldn’t have been forced to meet you in all those secretive places that you both now hold in your hearts as truly special places...” Derek explained. “You guys wouldn’t have had that first kiss that makes you blush every time you walk past a kebab shop. You wouldn’t have had another person to hold your hand while you talked to Isabella, and talk with her the same way you do” As soon as he said her name tears weld up in his eyes. “I don’t know if you believe in fate but I do, and I think Isabella left because she knew in her own heart that you were being taken care of. By someone who I know l-loves you like she does…” He stuttered “Or will eventually love you like she does.” He stumbled to find my hand but went he did we both had the instant reaction to grip onto each other and squeeze. My eyes shut as his words sunk in. I let a whimper fall from my lips as his sentences left me emotionally rattled. “She knew you would be okay. She may not have met Luke or any of the other boys officially but she knew they would look after you” I shook my head to him.