Miss Jefferson

Chapter 30

I sat cross-legged on my bed, staring at my phone.

It was 9 p.m.

I was waiting.

And waiting.

And waiting.

My phone rang.

I pressed 'accept'.

His face appeared on the screen. "Hey."

I steadied my breathing. "Hey."

"So, you needed to talk to me about something?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"What's this about? Are you okay?"

"No."

I could tell that, even though he was over a thousand miles away, he was still trying to search my eyes through the screen. "Is this about you and me?"

I felt a tear slide down my cheek, but I didn't say anything.

He nodded slowly. "Okay. Say what you need to say."

I took a deep breath, knowing I couldn't trust my voice to stay even. "Sky kissed me."

Though I was seeing them through a glass screen, and though he was over a thousand miles away, I could see his eyes shatter.

"I didn't kiss him back...it happened so fast, I wouldn't have kissed him back if I'd gotten the chance. Um," my voice finally met my predictions, and broke with emotion. "I know that you trusted me to come here by myself...and I'm sorry," I struggled to hold his gaze, tears slipping down my face. "It didn't mean anything to either of us, but I know how it looks, and I'm so sorry that it happened. But I had to call and tell you."

He closed his eyes, nodding slightly.

"I..." I exhaled deeply. "I know you said that you wouldn't give up on you and me because we were busy. I won't give up on you and I because of this. I don't want to be done, but I guess that's your decision now. And," I squeezed my eyes shut. "And if you want to be done, then I can mail your jacket back, and you won't have to see me again, and I'll—"

"I think you need to stop talking." He said, his voice quiet.

He opened his eyes, meeting my broken gaze.

"Sky told me." He said. "He texted me this morning and told me what happened."

My eyes grew wide. "What?"

He nodded. "He said that you didn't know he was messaging me, and that he'd gotten my number out of your phone when you weren't looking. He told me that he had kissed you, and that you didn't kiss him back. He told me that you were very clear in your telling him that his actions were not acceptable. He said he regretted what he'd done, and he swore to take care of you for me until you could come home."

"He shouldn't have said that." I shook my head. "He should have let me deal with it myself."

"Maybe. But I trust him now."

I looked up at him. "You what?"

He nodded. "He was honest enough to tell me what had happened, without your knowing. And he told me before he knew you'd tell, so that I knew his words were true. If either one of you were to lie, I'd assume it would be him, because I don't know him that well. But he told me before you did, and your stories matched. I believe both of you. And I trust both of you."

"I wish you were here!" I cried.

"Shh, shh," his tone was soft and gentle. "You're okay. There's nothing to worry about."