What Now?

Chapter 8

"Wow. That's deep." Gavin says after I told him basically everything that has happened in the last 24 hours.

"Yeah, tell me about it." I give him a small smile.

"I understand that you're mad, but he was only trying to help. Don't you think you were a little hard on him. It sounds to me like you may have overreacted just a little bit."

"I know, but I also know how I handle and process things and so does Nick. I need another day before I can talk to him again without anyone getting hurt." 

"Well that's not really fair to him."

"You have a point, but life isn't fair and Nick doesn't have to like my decision he just has to respect it."

"Well either way, I'm glad you told me. So what are you gonna do now?"

"Right now I'm going to get to class before I end up late. You should too." I say getting up from the bench where we were sitting.

---

"Another lap and you ladies are done." The soccer coach says.

We've done eight laps so far and my lungs are killing me. I get the whole soccer players need conditioning thing and all but this is ridiculous. I finish my lap and make my way over to the sideline where my water is and chug the entire thing. I grab my bag and just as I'm about to walk up to the parking lot I see Fiona sitting on the bleachers.

"Hey Fiona." I say sitting down beside her.

"Hey. Ooh girl, you stink!" She says holding her nose and scooting a couple inches away from me.

"That's just the smell of hard work." I laugh scooting closer to her.

"Whatever." She says in a dry tone.

"Anyway, what are you doing out here?"

"I wanted to talk to you."

"Oh, so I assume you talked to Elaine." I give her a pained look and there is a pause before she speaks again.

"Yeah, I did and all I want is for you to explain yourself." She looks me dead in my eye and I don't think I've ever seen her look more serious in my life.

"I'm sorry what? Explain what about myself?"

"Look let's not make this harder than it has to be. Just tell me why you did what you did."

"And what exactly are you referring to?" I say taking another bottle of water out of my gym bag.

"Diana, come on, just tell me why you tried to kiss my boyfriend." She says and I start choking on my water.

I regain my composer a moment later and look at her like she's crazy. "I'm sorry, I did what now?"

"Diana, Elaine told me everything. She said she caught you trying to kiss Kevin and that you were too embarrassed to tell me. Look I'm not mad, I just want an explanation."

"I know you lyin'! I have done no such thing. Is this some type of joke or something? Shoot where are the cameras cause that was a good one." I say starting to laugh.

"Elaine said you would try to turn this into some type of joke." Fiona gets up and starts walking away, but I touch her arm before she leaves.

"Hold up just a minute. I don't know what you're talking about but I never have nor have I ever wanted to kiss your boyfriend. You know for a fact that I can't even stand the guy." I say with a concerned look.

"Then explain the whole 'talk to your sister thing'. I did and that's what she said."

"No, she was meant to tell you that she and Kevin are the ones seeing each other behind your back!" I blurt out and I watch her face twist into anger.

"Wow, that's low blaming this on Elaine. I know we're close, but do you really expect me to believe you over my twin sister?"

"I'm not blaming anybody, I'm telling you the truth!" I say getting a little angry.

"Whatever Diana, I wasn't mad before, but you trying to turn this all on Elaine is just too much! I expected better from you." She says before completely walking away from me.

"What the actual hell?" I whisper to myself watching her walk away from me.

I start my walk home cutting through the woods behind the school. Walking always helps me think and right now I have a lot to think about. For one Elaine totally turned the tables on me and straight up lied to Fiona to cover up her own ass. To think she would actually do something so devious and just make me loose all credibility with Fiona. That's just messed up. Why did I have to be the sacrificial lamb. I take a deep breathe and try to calm down before I get too heated. I just can't believe she would do that to me and Fiona. I thought we were closer than that. I don't even know what to do in this situation. Should I try talking to Fiona again? Maybe I should confront Elaine. I have a feeling neither one of those scenarios is going to work out well for me.

I get to the front door of my house and realize that the box I tripped over earlier is still there. I guess it was too much for Haden to take it inside. I unlock the door then grab the box to take inside. I set down my bags by the front door then make my way to the kitchen where Haden is waiting for me.

"Hey Haden, how was school?" I say trying to hide the fact that I'm upset.

"Well for the most part it was pretty good. You know that girl Tammy that keeps flirting with me, well I finally asked her out." He says with a huge grin on his face, it's almost enough to make me forget about the day I've had. Almost.

"I thought you were going out with Destiny already."

"Yeah well we aren't exclusive so I thought why not give Tammy a shot."

"Sounds like you had an eventful day." I take out some pasta noodles and sauce and start to prepare dinner.

"Yeah and you sound like you had a crappy day." I turn around and see that he is looking at me with a serous expression on his face.

"How did you know?" I say with a sigh.

"Your face literally tells exactly what your thinking sis."

"Yeah, I guess it does."

"So tell your big brother what's bothering you." He gets up from his chair so he can look me in the eye.

"It's a long story." I say with a sad smile.

"Good thing all you're doing is cooking dinner. Plenty of time to gripe about your day." He smiles at me and gives my hand a squeeze. 

"Well then you might as well get comfortable."