Flightless Bird

Chapter 21

"I'm so sorry, I'm so so sorry, I didn't mean for it to happen, it just did and before I knew it-"

"Just tell us exactly what happened!" Jayson shouted, startling both me and Lexi.

"Well," I started shakily, "I took Lexi up to the attic so that we could practice, but then I realised that Charlie was hiding up there. I didn't want to freak you out," I cried, turning to Lexi, "so I just asked you to leave, remember? After you left, Charlie came out, and we talked, and then..." I had to stop to stifle the tears.

"Then WHAT?" Jayson demanded, starting towards me with his fists by his sides.

"Stop," Lexi said quietly, wiping her red rimmed eyes.

"Lexi, leave it to me. I'll sort this cheating b-"

"STOP!" she screamed. Jayson turned to her, but she just crossed her arms over his chest. His face softened, but I knew from her body language that she was through. Her blonde hair shivered as she shook her head in a minute motion, but it was still enough. My eyes clouded over with more tears as the door slammed next to me.

"Thank you," I said lamely, looking to the only person with whom I had even a slight chance.

"I'm not protecting you, whatever it was you did. I just didn't think it would help things having Jayson punch you in the face."

"I didn't mean it Lexi. I want to be with Jacob, honestly!"

"It's not me you have to convince Kerri. It's your boyfriend and your secret lover," she said, spitting the words out as though she could barely bear to say them. I knew I had hurt her, because I knew that despite appearances her and Jacob were close, and the fact that she had had to stand up to Jayson on my behalf after what I had done to both of them was just rubbing salt in the wound. And it was a pretty huge wound.

"We only kissed, that's it," I told her, trying to lie to both her and myself at the same time. It had been much more than that. Lexi laughed. She was laughing at me. The image that came to mind at this point was not one of two close friends sharing a joke, but more like a cruel observer watching a hopeless case try and get themselves out of a death trap. We both knew I had no hope.

"It's not me you have to convince! Although if it was, you definitely would have failed. Miserably."

"I know, I just wanted you to know. I really hope you won't try to smother me with a pillow tonight, if it's not too much to ask. I might become less of an evil b//ch in future."

"I hope so."

"Me too."

I began to leave the room when Lexi stopped me. I turned, and her ice queen impression had thawed somewhat. She looked like she pitied me, which I guess was better than her hating me.

"Good luck," she said.

"Thank you."

Then I left to go and explain to my boyfriend that I was a cheater, and to tell the guy I cheated with that this was all a mistake. Then I was going to go and embarass myself in public in an effort to get into a play that I was regretting signing up to audition for anyway.

"See you Lex."

"Later."