Behind Closed Doors

Olivia

On Monday, I walked towards my locker and shoved my books inside.

"Liv!" I heard my friend, Jessica, run up to me.

"How was the party?" She started rapidly firing questions at me. I answered them hesitantly.

I can't let her know. I feel so guilty. Ugh. I'm so sorry, Jess.

"Are you okay?" she asked, waving her hand in front of my face.

I nodded and smiled at her.

"Like I was saying," she continued, "I wish I could have gone with you. Andy texted me late last night and told me that he saw you."

He probably didn't mention that we hooked up, then, I thought, biting the inside of my lip.

"Yeah, I saw him for a minute. Then, he disappeared into his crowd of friends," I lied.

I looked up and made very awkward eye contact with Andy, who was walking towards us.

"Speak of the devil," I said under my breath. Jess turned and threw her arms around him.

"I'll... catch you guys later," I said, pulling my bag over my shoulder before walking away. Then, when I thought that no one was looking, I slipped through the main doors.

I felt a hand wrap around my arm.

"Why are you leaving?" Andy turned me around and shoved his hands in his pockets.

I couldn't help but like him. He was 6'3" with brown hair, green eyes, and a hell of a smile.

I looked down at my feet and bit my lip.

"So, now you're not gonna talk to me. Great," he said, turning back to the school.

"What do you want me to say? Do you want me to apologize for our mutual act of betrayal-not only towards your girlfriend, but my best friend? Do you want me to take the fall for it, or are you coming to give me some more shit to worry about?" I shouted.

He turned back to me.

"Well, I was going to apologize to you for putting you in this situation. The whole reason I was dating Jessica was and is to get closer to you."

I almost choked on my spit.

"What?" I looked up at him.

"It's true." He grabbed my hands. "I've always liked you. Jess knows this. I just think she may have her hopes up."

I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him, which didn't seem to phase him.

"So you're gonna break her heart?" I said, stepping back. He shrugged.

"I like her, but more as a friend, and like I said, she knows that... kind of."

I scoffed and walked home. The next day, I looked down at my phone and texted Jess to meet me in the west wing bathroom.

After waiting for about 10 minutes, she walked in and locked the door behind her.

"Andy and I had sex on Saturday night at the party. I was way too drunk. I don't even remember it happening, but I remember waking up in John Master's guest bedroom with him. Then yesterday, he stopped me outside, and..." I started to hyperventilate.

She wiped her face and sat down next to me on the floor. For what seemed like forever, we basked in the silence.

She took a deep breath and looked at me.

"I've known for a while-the way he looked at you. He only ever smiled when we all hung out together. It'd be crazy for me to try and change that, huh?"

I put my head in my hands.

"I'm so sorry, Jessie." She hugged me tight.

With a sigh, I stood up, helping her up after me.

I grabbed her bag and pulled it over my shoulder.

We walked out together and over to my locker. I noticed Andy sitting against it. I looked at her, and she smiled at me.

We all talked. For the most part, we were happy. I knew that Jess was still hurt. She assured me that she was alright. It'd just take some time.

No matter how much I wanted to be with Andy, It had to wait. He understood. We planned to take it slowly. My best friend mattered a lot more than a relationship.

We were happy-ish.