Stupid First Impressions

Stupid First Impressions - Part 27

Chapter 27

My heart was in my mouth, my stomach in knots. I’d never turned someone down before, never thought that I’d be turning up at Luke’s house to tell him I wasn’t interested. But there was no way I could keep this up, knowing that I was already, in every sense of the thing, in a relationship with Geoffrey. And, more than that, I was already kind of falling for Geoffrey – ok, I know I was totally gone but I couldn’t say that to Luke! – and that meant it was time to put Luke out of his misery.

I rapped on the door, trying to remember that Luke was my friend and would understand. He wanted me to be happy, surely? And that meant I could turn him down and we could keep being friends and hanging out. I was just going to tell him when he answered the door and then go over to Geoffrey’s to ask him out.

So imagine my surprise when Gemma opened the door. Yeah, Gemma, who had backstabbed me and twisted the knife. My mouth dropped open and my stomach sank. Oh, please tell me Luke didn’t think was a good surprise. Tell me she came here, uninvited, and she’s about to get kicked to the kerb. [WN – in England, this is how it’s spelt! America spells it curb] But she smiled and me and ushered me in, calling to Luke as she went.

“Hey, you made it! Ready to make some forts?” Luke said, grinning wickedly. “My mum’s busy for the day but she left us some biscuits and ice cream, and we can hang out watching movies all day!”

“Uh, Luke? Can we talk for a minute?” I could feel the panic in my chest. This was not how I planned to do this. “I mean, this is great and all but…I didn’t come over to make forts.”

“I know, but I thought it would be cool, just like old times! We can just fool around for today. Come on Ames, it’s Christmas Eve!”

“I know, I know it is but I…I kind of made plans for this afternoon. And I really just wanted to talk to you. About that thing I was thinking about.”

“So cancel your plans! Come on Ames, how often do we get to just chill out like we used to?”

“I don’t want to hang out like we used to! In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re not who we used to be,” I said venomously. “Gemma, I’m pretty sure you don’t give a crap what I think and would rather be out spreading shit about decent people and Luke, you’re trying to make things out to be something they can’t anymore. Maybe you thought if you made it like it used to be I’d like you again but…I don’t. I’m sorry but too much has changed and I- I like someone else now. And you don’t have to like it but you’re going to have to accept it.”

“Ok, I don’t really want to get involved here but I have something to say to you Amy,” Gemma said, hands up in a sign of surrender. “Look, I know I was a crappy friend. Truth is, I was jealous of you and I don’t take jealousy all that well. I mean, you were super nice, pretty and the guy you liked was in love with you too. So I reacted badly and did something I can’t take back. But I would actually like to fix this.”

“Yeah? Well tough, Gem. I’ve found some friends I can be myself around and they don’t judge everyone else the way you do. Maybe if you weren’t such a selfish bitch, you wouldn’t have to try mending relationships that are so beyond fixing.”

“Hey, Ames, you’re being super harsh right now,” Luke said, jumping to Gemma’s defence. “And what do you mean, you like someone else? What the hell is going on with you? Geoffrey Tashtrey is a total freak who is going to break your heart as soon as you give it to him!”

 “Hey, Geoffrey is not on trial here! And it’s not up to you to decide who I get to be with. Geoffrey is the nicest, most gentle guy I know. And you know what? He actually asked me to go on a date with him, and I was stupid enough not to say yes on the spot because I thought it wouldn’t be fair to you!” I spat, pointing at Luke. “But you know what? You’re just a relic from my past and I need to move on before I start drowning.”