Weight

Part Eighteen

I slammed my locker door shut, only to find Paisley's alarmed face staring from the other side.

"What's got your panties in a twist?"

"Nate," I huffed with an eye roll. "He's being so difficult." We moved away from my locker and down the hall, towards first block.

"What'd he do this time?"

I quickly explained my interaction with Tyler last night, and how I told Nate we need to figure something out. People were only going to get more suspicious, and if more of our friends and classmates started asking questions, we needed to decide on what to tell them.

"That's tough," Paisley agreed. "I'm sorry."

I shrugged dejectedly. "Not your fault."

We had arrived at our classroom and took our seats in the back. The bell hadn't rung yet, so we had a few moments to chat before announcements and today's lecture. "He's just frustrating me so much," I complained.

Paisley tap-tapped her fingers on the table, deep in thought. She pursed her lips. "I've never seen anybody get under your skin like this, Evie."

I furrowed my brows. "So?"

"Do you. . .like Nate?" Paisley asked, eyebrows raised in question.

My heart skipped. Paisley was prying at places of my heart I hadn't even tried to dissect. Instinctively, I shook my head vehemently. "No, no, I could never."

"You sure about that?" she dug.

"Yes," I insisted. "He's so irritating. I mean, I care about him obviously. He's funny and kind and undeniably sexy," -Paisley's eyebrows hike up even farther, but I ignored it- "but he's closed off and stubborn and he won't communicate with me." I sighed. "I'm trying, Paisley, but there can never be anything between us. It would never work."

Paisley tap-tapped on the table again, leaning in close. Her voice lowered and she whispered, "Evie, you're married. There already is something between you two."

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Paisley's words stuck with me throughout first and second block. I was lost in thought, trying process the meaning of her words. What she right? I mean, what was really between Nate and I? It got me thinking how our relationship would be after the year is up, when we are allowed to get divorced and Nate can still keep the company.

At lunch, my eyes betrayed me and automatically sought out Nate. He was already sitting in his usually seat, at the end of a table filled with all of our friends. Out of habit, I nearly took my normal seat, curled up next to him. Then I remembered.

Instead, I took a seat next to Paisley. I felt guilty sitting at this end of the table. I hadn't sat here in weeks, and I had this sense that they all took it as senseless abandonment.

"Is it all right if I sit here?" I asked.

Paisley nodded instantly. No surprise there. She was my best friend, caring and understanding. She knew the circumstances and would always have my back.

I sighed in relief and dropped my bag, plopping down next to her. "Thanks," I hummed.

I reached down into my bag, remembering then that I didn't get to pack anything before storming out this morning. I internally cursed myself. I couldn't have thrown my hissy fit after packing a couple snacks?

"You don't have anything to eat?" Paisley asked.

I shook my head. "I kinda got into it with Nate and stomped out before I got anything together," I admitted, a blanket of shame laying on thickly.

She pushed half the half eaten salad sitting in front of her towards me. I shook my head again. "Thank you, but I don't think I have much of an appetite right now." That was true. My spat with Nate was eating at me, and I didn't think I could stomach even one bite of food without regurgitating it back onto the cafeteria table.

Paisley looked at me unconvinced, but didn't question me. She went back to eating her salad and I scrolled through my Instagram feed to keep myself occupied.

A phone bleeped out a notification signal and Paisley picked up her phone. She read the message and quickly flicked her eyes to Nate before staring at her screen again. I barely took note, too lost in my thoughts.

Then she turned to me. "Hey, Ev, you wanna come over after school today? Save you from seeing Nate for a little?" she suggested.

I smiled gratefully. "I'd love to."

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At Paisley's house after school, we completely avoided the topic of Nate. Which was utterly relieving.

"Im hungry. You want a snack?" Paisley asked.

"Is that even a question?" I quipped back. "I haven't eaten anything today."

Paisley laughed. "You're right. I might be losing my mind."

We walked downstairs to the kitchen, rummaging through her cabinets and fridge to find something. Somewhere in her freezer we found hot pockets and a sleeve of Oreos, my utter weakness. I felt guilty, seeing how I binged on the cookies just last night, but my emotions got the better of me and scarfed down half the sleeve before the pizza rolls even came out of the oven.

We chatted about cheer and classes and boys (every single boy except Nate). I asked her about Danny Evans, who I remembered seeing her cuddled up next to at Tyler's. She denied anything going on, but the flush of her cheeks told me she was lying. She'd tell me when she was ready.

Paisley's phone dinged and she read the text message that came through. She responded quickly before looking to me. "Hey, you know I haven't seen your house yet," she pointed out.

"Oh, yeah, huh," I said in agreement.

"Think we can go see it now?" Paisley suggested, with a smile and a brow-wiggle.

I laughed. "Sure."

The pit in my stomach bottomed out. Nate would probably be home, and I still wasn't ready to face him. But I had to at some point. So, if not now, then when?

I told Paisley to follow me and we were on our way.

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