A Beginner's Guide to the American West ✓

chapter twelve

t w e l v e

*

I wake up confused. Slightly woozy and wondering what last night was about, why my body and my mind betrayed me, why all I could think about was Arjun, long after he'd fallen asleep. This morning, my head's a bit clearer. I can look over at his sleeping body without last night's painful rush of lust, though I can't deny there's a stirring.

Well, I guess I came on this trip for a distraction. I just wasn't expecting that to be him.

It feels like more than a day since I put my phone on airplane mode. I guess a lot has happened in the past twenty-four hours, trekking from California across Arizona to be here.

When I turn it off and I get a couple of bars of data, the first thing I get is a Facebook notification: Arjun Sharma wants to send you a message.

It's the photos from yesterday. I scroll through them, saving my favourites, and I linger on the one at the oasis in Joshua Tree National Park. His arm is around me and he's leaning in, his head almost touching mine, and I have to move on before I can spend too long overanalysing it. He's sent me a friend request too, which I accept with a flutter.

The next thing to pop up is my call log - a bunch of missed calls from my parents - and then my texts. Both Mum and Dad have messaged me, as well as Flo ... and George. I take a deep breath before I open up the texts.

FLO: did you tell mum and dad????

FLO: they suck at being quiet, i can hear them talking about a text you sent. Idk whether you meant to or not but now they definitely know you and george were a thing

FLO: ok i can definitely hear dad swearing about george. I think mum's crying. Omg.

FLO: MARCH!!! YOU DID NOT TELL ME THAT HE CHEATED ON YOU!! You told me you guys broke up!!! You didn't tell me he's a TERRIBLE AWFUL HUMAN. That's really horrible. Im sorry. He's an effing arsehole. NO WONDER DAD'S SO PISSED! I thought i liked goerge but NO. You deserve better!!!!

Her texts make me smile, albeit a bit bittersweetly. Flo may have always known the most but I didn't give her all the details. I was embarrassed and ashamed, so I only ever told her that George had dumped me, and I kept it vague. But the cat's out of the bag now.

ME: yeah i texted dad. Someone helped me realise it was time to stop keeping it all to myself. Sorry i didnt tell you the whole truth flo, i didnt want to upset you more and youre only 12. I know how much you loved G. But yeah, he's a total arsehole. Thank you <3

Next, I open up my messages from Mum, to see one long text, followed by a short one nearly a full day later.

MUM: Hey hun, dad told me about the text you sent him. I'm so sorry baby. I had no idea. I mean, I had an inkling I suppose, but I had no idea you two had been together so long and I didn't know, obviously, that you broke up. I knew something had been bothering you, I hope you didn't feel you had to hide from us! You know all Dad and I care about is your happiness and safety, and I think we've failed you there this past month. I'm so sorry, March. I really hope you're having an incredible time in America and that you're able to put this behind you and enjoy your trip. I called in case you wanted to talk but I figure you're off on some amazing adventure. You know you can call any time. Seriously, don't worry about the time zone. Even if I don't pick up, I'll call you back as soon as I can. I really, really hope you're ok. I love you so much xxx