Plan Heartbreak

Chapter 11

             Paul walked me to every class for the rest of the week and the week after that and the week after that. Lisa was thrilled saying he really liked me, and that I could break his heart soon…..she even had an extravagant way I could do it. I on the other hand was starting to feel extremely guilty, even though I didn’t look at Paul as a bet…..that’s what he began as and I could see it in his eyes that he cared about me. It was obvious…..and I was beginning to think Lisa was right about him being jealous of James.

            He hadn’t said anything, but when Lisa brought him up again his face would contort into a frown, and I knew he was. I had kind of become extremely attached to Paul……he made me laugh and smile. He made me forget about Josh, which wasn’t easy to do since Josh was on my mind 24/7. When I was with Paul, it was just him and I. He had kept his promise to me about bringing me back to see Fault in our Stars he actually had brought me twice paying for my ticket both times. He brought me to the beach and we would sit in the back of his truck and watch the waves kiss the sand.

            He would tease me and not take my crap, and always seemed to know when something was wrong. He had even come over for dinner and met both my parents who adored him…..and he and Hunter had become best friends….or rather Hunter adored Paul and Paul was nice to Hunter. Paul wasn’t as social as I had once thought he was. Honestly, he didn’t really talk to anyone other than me, Jared, Sam, or Emily unless it was out of politeness.

            He had also kept up with his promise to treat me like a best friend should be treated. He went above and beyond for me….just like I had always done for Lisa. I actually felt like I didn’t do enough for him. He was my best friend, he and I were practically as close as Hunter and I and that was why I felt so guilty. I adored Paul and I wasn’t going to lie to myself anymore about caring about him. I wouldn’t say I was in love with him, because I doubted I could ever love someone again after Josh…..but Paul was special and I did adore him.

            “Ali, I think we should break Paul’s heart tomorrow, don’t you think?” Lisa asked excitedly to me as we did homework in her room.

            I took a deep breath and told her the words I had been up all night planning. “Lisa, I don’t think I want to go through with the plan anymore,” I whispered.

            She froze, then turned to me and glared at me, “Don’t tell me you fell for stupid Paul Lahote’s charm,” she hissed at me.

            “No, it’s not like that, Lisa, I promise,” I pleaded.

            “Uh-huh, then why won’t you break his heart?” she growled at me.

            I groaned, “Because he’s kind of become one of my best friends, and I don’t want to hurt him, I’ve felt guilty for months, and I know he cares about me Lisa, he became my best friend because he knows I’m not interested, I’ve spent so much time with him for this stupid bet, that I do care about his feelings Lisa,” I told her.

            She glared at me, “Obviously more than you care about me, I should have known you wouldn’t go through with this for me, you never really cared about me it was ALWAYS Josh, I was always just Josh’s sister, and then when he was gone I was James’ sister, it didn’t matter that I was the one that introduced you to them. I know you’re only my friend because you think I ‘need’ you. I don’t and neither does James. You’ve been playing with him since Josh has died. Josh’s own brother….. Fine, don’t go through with the bet you and Paul deserve each other,” she growled at me.

            I looked away from her tears in my eyes, “I can’t believe you just went there,” I whispered wiping at my eyes.

            “It’s true, all of it, and you know it!” she growled at me.