Come Break Me Down

Chapter 22

I was starting to wonder if he really was telling the truth and maybe Arianna was just a crazy, psychotic bitch. He was so adamant that she meant nothing to him, so why would he be here if that were a lie?

After sitting there for a few minutes, I got up and walked over to the bedroom door. It was complete silence since Sierra was still gone. I made my way down the darkened hallway toward Jared's room. The door was cracked and I peeked inside to see him angrily pacing back and forth, like he didn't know what to do. I could tell that he was very angry and part of me wanted so desperately to apologize, but the other part of me wanted to just walk away until I had time to think about the situation some more. His bag lay open on the bed and it was obvious that he was contemplating leaving.

I headed outside to wait for Sierra. Watching the pretty much non existent traffic trickle down the street, I hated the fact the way my mind violently shifted back and forth. This was always an issue of mine, to jump to conclusions and not think a situation all the way through. It was well over an hour later when my sister drove up and exited her car. "Oh no... What happened?" She asked, looking down at me.

"Nothing good. I just don't know what to believe anymore." I told her, wiping the tears from my face. "Maybe I'm going crazy."

She sat next to me and placed her hand on my back. "Honey, I think he's telling you the truth. I mean, he came here instead of going home and I think if he did it, he would probably try to get as far away from you as possible. I wanted to take you guys out, you know, to relieve some of the tension, but sadly, with that neon green hair, he'd be recognized instantly. Not that you'd agree to go anyway, but still. You two need to sit down calmly and discuss things. I know you love each other."

Without waiting for my response, she got up and walked toward the house. "Come on inside, I picked up some food for a late lunch." She carried the bags of takeout into the house.

We all sat there at the table in an awkward silence. Jared scrolling through his phone and Sierra desperately trying to keep a conversation going. After we ate, I took the dishes into the kitchen to wash them. Sierra let me know that James, her boyfriend, was picking her up. They were going to a movie and would be gone for a few hours. The wink she tried to disguise earned her an instant eye roll.

I was in my room when James arrived, but had to go and greet him. I'd met him once before and he was a great looking guy, really sweet and perfect for Sierra. He only came in for a minute, but she introduced him to Jared. They were so alike, but yet so different. James was in a local band, so he and Jared had that in common, but unlike Jared, James had a nine to five job. The guys easily began a conversation and stood there chatting until Sierra nudged James, telling him that they would be late. Once they left, I sat in my favorite chair, staring up at Jared. He was looking out the window, deep in thought. "What?" He asked, without even spinning around to look at me.

"I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything Ava." He turned around and came over to stand in front of me. Leaning down, he put his hands on the arms of my chair, so that his face was very close to mine. "Do you have any idea how bad it hurts me that you could just walk away from me? You're willing to throw us away over a fucking lie." When he spoke to me, I could see the pain in his face. Pain that I caused and over something that could potentially be untrue. "I'm leaving in the morning to go home. I'm begging you to please come with me. I bought you a plane ticket." He studied my face and when I didn't say anything, he added, "I can't lose you." He put a hand on either side of my head and his thumbs wiped the tears from my face. "At least think it over. I'll leave you alone now." Leaning forward, he kissed my lips before walking back into his room and closing the door.

Picking up my phone, I dialed
Shannon's number and walked outside. He answered on the second ring.
"Please tell me that this means you've finally accept that he's telling the truth."

"Shannon, just tell me everything you know about that bitch." I didn't have time to sit and chat.

"Well..... She's trouble, someone he dated very briefly, but became a pain in the ass right off. He didn't want her and she couldn't take the rejection. Bitch is crazy as hell, texting and calling like crazy." He stopped talking for a few seconds. "You hurt his feelings, you know?"

"I know I did. Have you seen or heard from her since all of this bullshit started?" I asked, grinding my teeth at his comment.

He laughed, "No! Why would I? She doesn't want me. He told me earlier that she was still calling and texting."

"Well you're no help. Thanks anyway."

"Hey, Ava." He said, before hanging up.

"Yeah?"

"He is in love with you." Disconnecting the call, I knew I was being stubborn.
When Sierra returned, I told her what Jared said about leaving in the morning. She let me know that she would be fine with whatever I decided. It wasn't like she put out by my staying with her. She did encourage me to go home and try to salvage my relationship though. I didn't respond much and ended up going to bed.

I sat up in bed when I woke up to see Jared slouched in a chair by the window. "Ava, it's getting late. Please tell me that you've decided to come back home with me." He sat there bouncing his leg nervously, waiting for my answer.