OUR EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Confession Time..

Natalia's pov

Isn't Adriana the name Jessi used back at the bar?Was Matt an old customer? How do these two know each other? I look between Matt and Jessi and the two look as if they just saw a ghost.

"Ash, what are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that. You are supposed to be dead."
I can see Jessi shiver at the mention of that.

"It's a long story. A lot has happened over the two years."

"And you couldn't even care to inform me? I was always there for you. I did everything for you. But you kept this one thing away from me. How could you Adriana."

"Let me explain Ash, I couldn't tell..."

"You know what, save your explanation for yourself."

"Ash please.."

The next thing I know,

Matt is out the door slamming it shut.

Jessi is in tears.

And me,

I'm confused as hell.
What just happened here.!

I turn back to Jessi who is now sobbing hysterically.

I hold her in my arms as she pours her heart out. I've never seen her this miserable. She is always this strong  girl I admire. For the first time since I met her, she is letting her guard down.

As soon as she calms herself I grab her a glass of water which she  gulps at one go.

"Mind telling me what just happened here?"
She looks at me sympathetically and I know she isn't ready to talk.

"it's OK, if you don't want.."

She stands and walks to me.
"I'm going to tell you everything. But first Ash and Mark have to be there as well. I also owe them this. I need to talk to them now before Ash does something he's going to regret."

"Fine. I'm going to take you to them."

We order for an Uber there since none of us has a car. All the way, Jessi looks disturbed and hopeless. She doesn't talk much apart from the occasional cursing and stamping of her feet.

We arrive at Matt's house and walk towards the door. Jessi is fidgeting and scratching her head nervously.
What is it that is making her this worked up?As much as I'd love to know what it is she has been hiding, I have to be patient.

Mark opens the door and as soon as she spots Jessi, his eyes and  mouth widen, completely shocked.

"Adi.. Ad." he quickly rushes over to her and submerges her in his arms.

"I'm sorry Mark. I should have told you guys. I know you passed through a lot when I went away but I'm sorry." Fresh tears flow down her cheeks.

Mark pulls away then cups her face and kisses her forehead. He wipes the tears on the side of her face before hugging her again.

Now I'm curious, WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING!

This time Jessi pulls away and looks past the door. "Where is Ash, I know I have a lot of explaining to do."

"He's in his room wasted. I've never seen him like that before. He's never been drunk. He refused to tell me what's wrong but now I know what riled him up."

"I guess he's really hurt right?"
Mark shakes his head before looking at her. "More than you can imagine."
Jessi bits her lower lip and I can see her upper one trembling. She tries to close her eyes to hide her tears but they betray her.

I have to help her somehow. As much as she hid something from me, she's still my friend.

"I'll go talk to Matt for you. Just give me a second."

"I don't think that will be a good idea. He's wasted and angry. Natalia those two combinations don't go in handy."

I stand and adjust my top. "Mark, there is no harm in trying."

Jessi gives me a go ahead sign and that's all that I need.
I walk up the stairs and into Matt's room. I open his door and I'm shocked at what I see. It's not the neatly arranged room that I know. The portraits that usually hang on the wall are shattered on the ground. The lampstand lays broken near the door and pieces of glass are all over the room.Matt himself is sprawled on the bed with a bottle of liquor in his hands and several others empty sprawled on the bed.

I walk towards him and I feel my legs crashing on the pieces of glass underneath me. He stirs a little before trying to raise his head.
"Mark, go away. I told you I want to be left alone."
I walk towards him and sit on the edge of the bed.

"It's not Mark, it's me." He sits up sluggishly and stares at me before cupping my face."Baby doll it's you."

I can't help but scrunch my face in disgust at the smell of the liquor.

"You look beautiful. I love your brown hazel eyes and your dark skin, it's fit  for you."
This is the first time this jerk has ever complimented me. He should get drunk more often.

I hold his hands that are now on my face and look at him. "Matt, Jess.. Adriana is here to talk to you." His face suddenly contorts and I almost regret bringing the topic up. ALMOST.

I remove my shoes and sit Indian style on the bed. He looks at me before trying to stand and get out of the bed.
"Way to ruin the moment." he mumbles under his breath more to himself but I still catch. He stumbles a little but I quickly stand and hold him.

We hold a stare down competition just looking at each other as if it's our first and last and we need to store each other in our brains.
I cup his face and look at him.

"I know you want to talk to her. I know you need that closure. That peace of mind. Just let her explain and then you can decide if you still want to get angry or not. Please."

He looks at me for a while before walking off to his shower. I hear the water run and I know he just won't listen to me. I thought I would make him see from my own point of view but he isn't going to do that.This man is so hard to deal with.

I walk back to the bed but unfortunately I step on a pice of glass. The next thing I'm seeing is blood and blood.I hate the sight of blood, it just makes me sick. I try to pull it out but it's quite stuck. I hear the bathroom open and Matt comes out quite freshened up. He's changed into other clothes and looks quite sobered up.

He eyes my leg and I hear him curse. He rushes back to the bathroom and comes back with a first aid kit. He dresses my leg and I can't help but wince when he puts the antiseptic on it.

After he finishes, he takes it back to the bathroom while I put on my shoes. He later comes back and the next thing I know I'm pushed to the wall.

"Did I hurt you? Was I the one who did that?" He looks at my leg and I can tell he thinks he's the reason I got hurt.

"No Matt, it was just an accident." He rubs his forehead on mine before shutting his eyes.

"I would never hurt you Natalia, whether wasted or not. I won't. OK?"

I just shut my eyes savoring the moment and simply nod.

"So, can we now go and listen to what Adi has to say."
I smile at him and shout a yes excitedly.

"Then let's go."

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