“Matheew!” Oh fuck “Matty!!” I inconspicuously placed my earphones so I can at least pretend not to hear her. I could at least have a little more time of peace, and if I’m lucky, maybe I could reach my room in time. But of course I am not.
She pulled my earphones and pouted, like it’s even cute. “Mattieee, god, earphones on again?” Mattiie?! What is wrong with this woman.
“Ashley” I said by response, pushing all my annoyance in my voice. But she didn’t hear it.
“Matt, can you pick me up after school?”
“Why would I do that? You’re not my girlfriend.” I said matter-o-factly. I only take friends and girlfriends to my car, and of course there’s Iz. Who I haven’t talked with in one week, one day and 12 hours.
Ashley looked at me stunned “So you’re just ending this?!” Her outburst had the usual looks from the crowd, but we glared at them and they moved on. The both of us aren’t the enemies you’d want at this school.
“It’s over Ashley. And we weren’t even together” She wasn’t my girlfriend. We dated seriously just once, years ago, and it was on and off after, mostly when one of us just broke up with someone. But those on and offs where never serious, they were all just sex so that we’d forget fast. And it always works. But I don’t even know why she’s so worked up today. We just stop doing it when she finds another guy or I find another girl.
“But you’re not even dating anyone yet.” She half stated, half asked. I’m not, I just don’t want to do this anymore.
“No I’m not, but are you not tired of this, Ash?” Maybe Ashley is the string to cut.
It took her a few moments to respond “I am but, I don’t know Matt. It’s just easier sometimes.” This was the first time I looked at her in all this. Her eyes were so sad. “What’s wrong Ash?” I asked. “Why would you want to forget this time?” Because that’s what this all is, our way to forget. I do too, but she can’t do anything this time.
“My parents are getting divorced”
“What?!” I asked. Her family would be the last one I would bet on being ruined. “Why!?”
“My father cheated.”
“Oh, Ash.” I hugged her “It’s okay, it will all be okay” I released her then. I was good at comforting girls, I think you know by now; I am one of the campus jerks. And I could see that it worked. She smiled. “You know we can skip last period, where did you want to go?”
“The coffee shop. I wanted to tell you there,” she laughed “that I didn’t want this anymore” My eyes widened and we both smiled. I placed my arms on her shoulders while we walked. “We won’t be strangers with benefits now.”
When our string was cut I was certain I have nothing to hold on to. She let go of me and I let go of everything else. I finally drowned in my realizations, falling for the sea that is my best friend.
“We’ll be best friends” I said. She looked at me, it’s her eyes turn to widen now. I answered her unasked question. “If everything works out fine, you will be.” I smiled.
“Oh my gosh Matt!! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!! IT WAS ALWAYS HER!!! CELEBRATORY COFFEE, LET’S GO!!!”
I laughed, by then I realized again, “But if it doesn’t, I sure hope you would be second” I sighed and I knew she knows what I mean. If she doesn’t feel the same way, I may have to loose her forever.
“It will work out and I know it.” She said
I sure hope so.
