Maybe This Time

Chapter 23

-Bernadette’s Time-

I wasn’t surprised when Jams decided an impromptu sleepover this Friday night. I wanted to escape, but the four of them deliberately forced me to join. It’s not like they gave me much of a choice. I know it’s their way to extract some information from me about one thing.

The sudden change between Caleb and I.

And now, right after the bell rang, the girls surrounded me and practically dragged me to Jams' car since we already have our stuffs for sleepover. On the way, we sang along with the radio. Normal.

Eating together? Normal.

Laughing together? Normal.

Going crazy? Normal.

The four of them sitting in front of me with hardened looks? Not normal.

“Bams…”

“We feel…”

“That something…”

“Terrible happened…”

“Between me and Caleb,” I finished for them. Hah, I knew it. The years and years of being friends made me able to read their thoughts. I already expected them to ask me about it. Heck, I would be surprised if they didn’t ask me.

‘Wanna tell us what happened?”

I stared off to space… and before I knew it, the four of them rushed towards me. Turns out my tears started falling.

“Girls… I’m okay… don’t… don’t mind me.”

“Bams, we’ve known you for a long time. We all know you are not okay. Please tell us what happened. It pains us too, you know?” I looked up to see Jams teary eyed like Alexie, Justine, and Gail.

“We’re sisters, right? It hurts to see you suffering alone. We’re each other’s personal tissues, remember?” Alexie said and offered a small smile.

I broke down right then and there. The four of them just hugged me and gave me comforting pats on my back. When Gail offered me a glass of water, I found myself talking.

“He s-saw me at the mini-park and called my name. I didn’t … reply. Unconsciously, my sniffs became loud. I heard Caleb’s footsteps as he rushed towards me and sat beside m-me… but I just pushed him away…”

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“Don’t! Just don’t come near me.”

“What’s wrong?”