Beneath the Surface

Chapter 22

"Wow, we've just won two swim meets in a row! Lillian Johnson, what are we gonna do know?" Arianna says holding a fake microphone up to my mouth.

"Well I'd say I'm going to disney world, but I'm still on lockdown," I respond is dismay.

We walk out of the locker room to the top of the stairs. Andy and Erin had left without us. Heck now that I think about it, they had t even really talked while we were down in the locker room to me either.

I was busy making observations when I was brought back to reality by Arianna. "Still? That's so stupid. It wasn't even your fault."

"Yea. Tell me about it." I roll my eyes and change the subject. "Hey have you seen Erin and Andy? It's like they've disappeared lately."

Arianna kind of switched on her feet as if she feels uncomfortable. "Well, actually I have. We're meeting up at chipotle in a few minutes."

I give her a look of disbelief. "Without me?" It seems so unlike them to do things without me. We've always hung out together. Just the four of us.

Arianna starts slowly shifting toward the door. "Well. Yea. I mean. I want you to come, but I know you're grounded so you can't. That's why I didn't ask. I didn't want to hurt you. "

I look at her starting to feel anger build up inside me. "Oh! so you though not telling me and going behind my back to do something wouldn't hurt me ?!" I say unable to hold back the beast.

Apparently she couldn't either. "Hurt you? do you even notice how much you hurt us? you're never around anymore! you're too busy with Arnesto now. You never have time for us! and news flash. This isn't the first time we're doing stuff without you. And look. You haven't even noticed. some friend you are."

Arianna storms out the door. I yell after her. "Some friend I am? try looking in the mirror. You're all just jealous. "

She stops and turns around. "You know what? I am. I'm jealous that my best friend cares more about some stupid guy then she does about me,her best friend. "

She starts walking towards her car again, but then she turns back again and walks toward to me. She approaches me and says in a more civil voice. "You know. I deserve better treatment. And so do Erin and Andy. We've always been here for you. And now you're ditching us for some guy. Did it ever occur to you that maybe he's just using you? maybe all he wants is sex and maybe once it stops, he'll be gone?"

I stare at her in disbelief. "How could you say something like that? Arnesto loves me. And he always will."

Arianna rolls her eyes. "Keep telling yourself that honey. But when the love stops, don't come crying to me."

"Don't worry. I won't," I say. And storm away. How could the person I thought was my best friend be so cruel? How did I miss her transformation into a complete bitch?

I wait inside for my dad to pick me up and go home. I go straight to my room because that's all I'm allowed to do since I'm grounded.

I reach for my phone to text Arnesto about the fight, but then I realize it's not there and it won't be for another few days.

Great. When I need someone to talk to, I don't have anyone. Guess I really am alone.

I pull out my textbook to do my homework. I start reading about Ronald Regan and let the fumes settle.

Somehow my anger turned into tears And I spent the rest of the evening crying. I feel so terrible. I've lost not only my best friend, But all my friends. I feel so alone.

I want to apologize but I have to way to do that. With my phone taken away, I have no means to talk to her. To them.

Maybe she's right. Maybe I should reconsider what I've been doing lately. I fall asleep wondering where did our friendship go wrong?