LOVE IN WAR

Chapter 3

 

“O

h my gosh! Where have you been Bethany?! You’re being a total goof ball. Explain to me right now! No joke.” Tammie pulls on my shoulder. I guess I did sort of look suspicious running away from her the entire school day. I only look at her, and walk out the lunch line. Together we find an empty table to sit at.

“Okay, look. The thing is…today hadn’t started on quite a good note. I’m just not in a good mood today. Alright?” was all I could explain to her in the condition I was in.

“Oh no no no. Young lady you are going to explain your attitude to me right now. And the whole not listening in Mr. Zemmy’s class? That is not you.” She straightens in her chair and stares deep into my eyes. Well that, until I rip the connection as I swivel my eye away. I sigh. Here it goes.

“Well…the truth is, Tam…I met someone today.”

“Someone like who?” her eyebrows arch in apprehension.

“Actually…he’s a boy. On the bus, I met him, and we talked and all. It was really fun. Plus, we really did understand one another.”

Her eyebrows arch even more and she asks, “Did? As in you no longer understand him? Who is him by the way?”

Ugh! So many questions I don’t want to answer! “Uuuh…things didn’t end so well. I said something ad then he…I don’t know-quit. On like the whole conversation.”

“And-this ‘he’ quitting-makes you mad?”

“Of course! We were doing so well! I don’t even know why I care! I barely know him; which is the problem! I think-“I rush loudly.

“Now you’re truly frustrating me with this ‘he’ and all this leaving information out. I’m your best friend! You have no choice but to let me know everything! It’s included in our friendship code!”

So there it is, and the next thing I know, I’m explaining the entire morning to Tammie. Definitely not what I planned. But y’know, Tammie is my best friend. Talking to her is another way of meditation, therapy, relaxation, or whatever other type of comfortable sessions there are out there.

When my explanation was finished, Tammie smiled. Then she frowned. What’s the problem now? “Bethany! You know you still haven’t told me the name of this boy. Who is he?!” Yeah, she is right again. I guess I’ve been avoiding telling her his name because I know his identity will totally change the content of our entire conversation. Therefore, I gulp super slowly. Within the swallow, I aim to push away all the feelings jumping inside me. It’s time to say the two words I’ve been dreading.

“It’s James.”

                                     

Oh my gosh. Tammie is about to rip an arm socket out of my body. It’s already the thousandth time she’d pored to same threatening question at me. Why? What? How? Who exactly? But I don’t want to answer any of them at all. I only give Tammie a quick look up and down as we walk the distance over to her house. This of course is only more trouble and stress for me. If I’m in her house, how will I possibly escape the wrath of her pleads? It’s not like I can kick her out. But…that doesn’t mean I’m not considering kicking her out…

Wait. Is that silence I hear?

I turn my head around to find Tammie about twenty steps behind me. From my location, I can’t really see her face, but as I get closer…my suspicions have at last been certified. My best friend has absolutely reached the absolute crazy border of things.