Their Guy

Chapter 26

Leandrea's POV

It was just a normal day at work.

I was sitting behind the counter, with my normal large latte on the table sorting through some late return books.

"I found you!" I heard a voice shout, irritation passing through me and I started my daily dialogue - "This is the library and you are requested to maintain silence at- Natasha?!"

Well the latter wasn't part of my monotonous line, but I was pretty shocked to see my red headed bestfriend glaring at me from the other side of the counter.

"Na- Nat- Natasha?" I stuttered, blinking my eyes to make sure I wasn't dreaming. In the 13 years of friendship that I've had with her, Natasha hadn't opened a single book voluntarily. She didn't even enter our school library unless I dragged her there so it was pretty shocking to see her here. "Am I dreaming or are you actually here?"

"You're dreaming," she said rolling her eyes as I laughed, gesturing to the seat beside me, behind the counter. "I wanted to talk to you."

"Go ahead."

"You've been very distant all this while," she said and I gripped my latte tighter. "You didn't show up at school for a week and now you seem like you left your mind at home and sent your body there."

"Uhhh," I began placing my latte on the table and staring at the floor. I didn't really want to respond to her question. I knew she was right, but I didn't want to tell her that.

It was all because of Marlene. After that day, I'd been so shaken, I took the week off to stay at home crying my soul out. We'd never fought that way ever and I couldn't just pretend as if her words hadn't ripped me apart.

On the other hand, Marlene spent her time normally - blasting music loudly, calling Ryden over for the weekend and acting as if none of this ever happened.

I'd never felt more alone as I did now. Without Marlene, it was like I was marooned on an island, surrounded by lava and the worst of monsters, left to defend myself alone. Whenever Ryden came over, he tried to talk to me but I always found a way to avoid meeting him. I didn't want Marlene jumping to any wrong conclusions.

"What's wrong Leah?" Natasha asked me, and I suddenly remembered that she was here. "Is it about Marlene? Is she getting worse? You can tell me okay?"

"It's nothing," I lied. "You've just being imagining things."

"You know I can tell you're lying right?" She said, raising an eyebrow. "You're a terrible liar and I've known you since forever. You can probably fool the rest with that, but not me."

"It's nothing dude."

"I know something is wrong okay!" Natasha said raising her voice and I glared at her gesturing to turn down her tone. "And whatever it is, it's hurting you Leah. And it's terrible watching you suffer silently. Please tell me what's wrong!"

"I said it's nothing."

"It's about Marlene isn't it?"

"Uh no."

"Is it about Jeremy?"

"No!"

"Are you gay?"

"No!"

"Are you pregnant?"

"No!"

"Is it about Ryden?"

"No," I mumbled but I saw the doubt flicker through Natasha's eyes. "I said it's nothing Nat."

"Fine," she said. "I believe you."