The Story of Us

Chapter Five: Naomi

 Chapter Five: Naomi

I walked out of the restaurant into the dimly lit parking lot, the door slamming shut behind me. Snow had begun to fall and everything was silent, save for two guys walking brusquely down the opposite side of the street. It was freezing, and my coat was inside, but I didn’t want to go back in there. I heard the door open and close behind me, “Naomi…”

I whirled on him, “What the hell Liam? What were you thinking!?” I yelled at him.

He looked so lost standing there in the cold snow. He had left his jacket inside too apparently. He looked down at his hands shamefully, “I… I don’t know what to say. I am so sorry.”

“Do you think sorry is going to fix something like this? You lied to my face Liam. You said you didn’t like her, and then what? I walk in and see you making out with her in the girl’s bathroom. Which, by the way, is the most cliché and juvenile thing ever. Can’t you keep it in your pants for one freaking minute?” I was shivering and my voice was shaking. I crossed my arms over my chest, my thin long sleeve offering almost no protection against the snow.

After a pause, he said,“You’ve got to be freezing.”

“Is that seriously all you have to say?” I said incredulously, “I’m leaving.” I said as I started walking towards the door.

He put his hands on my shoulders, “No, don’t go. There is no excuse for what I did.”

“No, there really isn’t. Lying like that to me, of all people, is not okay. We do not lie to each other. We haven’t since we made that pact not to in the fourth grade. We are honest with each other, forever and always. How can I trust you after that?” I said, painfully aware of the rising pitch of my voice.

“I know, that was so stupid of me. I am really really sorry.” He said quietly.

“Why did you feel like you had to lie to me?” I asked him angrily.

“Because… I knew what your reaction would be.” He said.

“That hasn’t stopped you from being honest in the past, so why now?” I said, my volume rising.

“Because…. Beth asked me not to.” He said, very very softly.

“What. The. Hell. Why would she asked you to do that?” I yelled, “And WHY would you listen to her? That is retarded. Why would you date a girl who makes you keep secrets?”

He looked down at the ground and dropped his hands from my shoulders.

“I really am leaving now.” I said as I pushed past him and stalked inside to grab my coat.