chapter vii - "you actually liked my brother? he's so disgusting i don't get it"
one day later
When I wake up and check my phone I see I have 47 unread messages and 14 missed calls all from Chloe. Her most recent text simply says "come over now. we need to talk". This has to mean she found out. Shit.
It only takes me about ten minutes to get dressed and I eat a granola bar for breakfast before grabbing my bike to ride over to Chloe's. She's probably so angry at me. I wish I told her so she would've at least found out from me rather than some instagram post.
When I reach her house I walk in without knocking. I've done it for years and I would rather have Chloe yell at me in the privacy of her room rather than her front hallway where anyone could see. Her mother is in the kitchen making something that smells like cinnamon and I say hello before heading upstairs.
"Where have you been?" Chloe practically shouts as soon as I enter her room.
"Sorry I slept in late," I say nonchalantly as I close the door.
"Cut the bullshit. Why didn't you tell me you were dating my twin brother?" She shouts her voice slowly rising with every word.
"This is why!" I shout back. "I didn't tell you because I knew you'd freak out and when you freak out I freak out and it's just not a good situation for either of us," I explain.
She is silent for a few seconds before opening her mouth and then closing it again. Finally, she takes a deep breath and speaks again. "I don't want to tell you how to live your life but I don't want you to be with him. It makes things awkward between us and you're my best friend and I don't want to feel like there is a boy between us especially if that boy is Noah," she says quietly.
I don't want to leave Noah. I like him a lot but I love Chloe. She's my best friend in the whole world.
"I understand," I say. "You're literally my favorite person ever and I won't put a boy before you. Not even Noah."
"I'm not saying you can't see him but for now I was hoping you could take a little break. Just until I have fully accepted the fact that my best friend likes my brother."
"I'll tell him when he gets home. I like him, I really do, but I like you more. If this is what you need to be happy then I'll do it," I tell her.
We sit in silence for a few minutes before Chloe speaks up again. "I still can't believe it. You actually liked my brother? He's so disgusting I don't get it," she says laughing. I can't help but laugh a little too.
It's gonna be okay. It's just a little break. That's it. But I can't help wondering if this is the end. Maybe Chloe will decide she doesn't want us together at all. The thought makes me sad.
I hear a door slam downstairs and Noah shout something.
He's here. Well, it's now or never.
