A Weird Love Story

Chapter 24- Big Mistake

Maria's P.O.V.-

I don't know why I'm here. I guess I just needed advice. Or just somebody to talk to. Why I didn't go to Dianne or Bill, I'll never know. But I should have. 

"I need to talk to you!" Ross looks really confused. "Maria are you okay?! What happened?!" I invite myself inside and Ross quickly moves aside. "It's Joe." I say as I walk to a chair in the living room. I see a tub of ice cream and a spoon. Was he eating that entire thing? That doesn't matter. I hear the door closing behind me but I don't turn around. Then, Ross comes and stands in front of me. "Do you want something to drink?" I just nod and he comes a few seconds later with a glass filled to the top with water and hands it to me. "Thank you." I finish the glass in one big gulp.

"So tell me what happened. Did he hurt you??" I give him a shocked expression. "Of course not!" I set the glass down on the table in front of the couch. "Then what?" he sits down next to me. 

~flashback~

"I'm so sorry Maria." I give a short chuckle. "Um, what do you mean?" He looks back down at his lap. I am getting really scared now. "Joe, what do you mean?!" He still isn't looking at me. "JOE!" 

"GRACE DOESN'T WANT TO Be your friend anymore..." he screams getting softer with every syllable. I feel mortified. "You knew?" I whisper. "She already told you?" I just stare at him in disbelief before answering. "Right before you came to pick me up, actually." He props his elbows up on the table and buries his face in his hands. "I told her she shouldn't do it. Or that she should at least wait." I scoff. "How long, Joe?" He puts his hands down to look at me. "Maybe for about a week?" I look at the ceiling and almost laugh! "More or less..." he finishes. I look back down at him. "You knew, for a week, that my best friend was gonna 'dump' me?" 

"Yes." I don't know who I feel more angry towards, Joe or Grace. "And she didn't tell you why?" He just shakes his head. I don't feel angry anymore. I feel heartbroken. A tear runs down my cheek and he tries to wipe it away but i turn my head. With that, I walk out of the restaurant.

~end of flashback~

"That's terrible. Just horrible. I can't believe they would do that to you!" Ross says, raising his voice. "They have been my best friends for years. Now I don't know what to do!" I tell him, choking on the last words. I try to hold in my tears but I just can't anymore. I sob uncontrollably, slowly resting my head in his lap without meaning to. He stammers for a second but then just rests one hand on my side and the other stroking my hair. "It's gonna be fine. I'm here for you now."

A smile forms on my face as I look up at him. "Thanks Ross." He gives me a smile and I sit back up. "Do you want to change into some comfortable clothes? I'm sure Rydel won't mind." he says as I stand up and grab my purse. "No I should probably be going..." Ross stands up quick. "No! I mean, why don't you stay here tonight? When everybody gets home, we can do something fun! To take your mind off all this." I don't know! Should I? I want to tell Dianne about all this. But... "Okay! I'll stay." Ross smiles really big then runs up the stairs to get me some clothes. 

A minute later, he runs back down and hands me a pair of pink sweatpants and a t-shirt. "The, uh, shirt's mine. Biggest one I could find. Rydel says it's really comfy. Thought you might like it." He stuffs his hands in his pocket, grinning. "That's really nice of you." I go to the bathroom to change.

Joe's P.O.V.-

I'm still at the restaurant. I cancelled our orders but I'm still here. Thinking. She hates me. She'll never talk to me again. That's my conclusion. Should I call Dianne? I'm wondering if she knows what just happened. I'm calling her anyways. After around 10 rings, it goes to voice-mail. Just my luck. I grab my jacket and leave the restaurant. I get in my car and drive to Bill's house.