Been You

Chapter 37: Eat With Me

ELYSANDRA'S POV:

"Tell me why you made me believe she wasn't a threat. Why did you hurt me?" I ask, my voice breaking. I was convinced that I didn't want to hear whatever he has to say. But given the opportunity, I want nothing more.

"She wasn't - and isn't a threat, Ely. She kissed me. I didn't know she was going to do that. I swear I didn't. She caught me off guard, E," Justin lies, convincingly too. It makes me wonder if it all was a lie.

"So that whole speech about how she's pretty, and smart, and kind, she did that too? She caught you off guard again?" I ask, my voice soaked in sarcasm. Justin opens his mouth to lie again, but the waitress, an older lady, comes up to take out order.

"I'll have a garden salad, no cheese or dressing, and a water please?" Justin looks at me disappointedly. Good. He doesn't hold up his end of the deal, I won't hold up mine. The waitress takes down my order, eyeing my strangely.

"I'll have two burgers, one with bacon and cheese, the other with absolutely nothing," he orders, obviously for the both of us. I roll my eyes. I'm not eating it. The waitress clicks her pen and walks off. "As I was saying," he continues, clearly upset with me, "I just felt bad. She was complaining to me about how Ryan doesn't care about her and doesn't pay attention to her. In fact, she was jealous of how much attention he paid to you," he explains. I do remember Ryan being an awful boyfriend to her. Maybe it's not all lies... but it still doesn't add up.

"What were you even doing alone with her in the first place?" I ask, knowing I've caught him now.

"After I brought you upstairs, I came back down to finish the game. I didn't want to wake you. When I got down there, Za and Atifa had already went up, it was just Ry and Selena," he recaps. I wince at her name. He notices, frowning at my reaction. "Ryan said he had something to do in the morning and had to sleep. He invited Selena to go up with him, but she insisted on going home. But she didn't go home. I started to go back up to you, but she was complaining about how she didn't feel pretty enough for Ryan and... I just I saw what being with a guy like that did to you - what it is doing to you now," he explains. I look down at myself. He doesn't like how I look? He continues, "I just thought I should help, if I could. I never thought she'd take it for more than that. I'm one hundred percent not into her, or anyone else but you, in that way El. You gotta know that." His story does make sense. While I'm deliberating, the waitress leaves our food and Justin mouths a thank you. I'm not eating that without proof.

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" I ask, vulnerable now that he knows my walls are lowering.

"Just wait," he says, pulling out his phone. He dials a number on speakerphone. While it rings, he puts one finger to his mouth, indicating for me not to speak. I watch him suspiciously. "Selena?"

"Um, hi Justin. I know you're mad at me for kissing you last week, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I was drunk and vulnerable and insecure. I know you were just being a good guy, but it's sometimes hard for me to tell the difference between that and a guy trying to make a move. It's usually the latter for me. But I really am sorry, I'll try to talk to Ely if you want? I haven't yet because I'm afraid of making things worse but -" she rambles until Justin cuts in.

"No, no, it's fine, I just wanted to let you know that I don't hold it against you, but we can't be around each other anymore," Justin explains. I'm shocked at this. He was telling the truth all along.

"I understand, Justin. I'm sorry again. Bye," she says softly.

"Goodbye, Selena," Justin says, warily. My mouth is parted in disbelief. He was telling the truth all along. Guilt sinks in my stomach heavily. I feel guilty for not believing him, for yelling at him, for every meal I've skipped or gotten rid of... I'm still grateful that he stayed true to me. But now I've got to eat this damn burger. He pushes the plate with the burger on it to replace my untouched salad. My stomach turns at the sight of the greasy burger. "Eat up," he instructs.