Don't Know Why

Chapter 10

Alanna...

"What do you mean you can't come?" If the sound of irritation from one's voice was destructive, my phone would be a pile of undecipherable rubbish right now. It was also a good thing that we're in the cafeteria, the nearby tables too preoccupied with their own business to give a damn about me.

"The guys have something with football on Saturday evening, so their girls won't be able to go as well. It just came up." Brian drawled out lazily, obviously unfazed by my attitude.

I shut my eyes, praying for patience or enlightenment – whichever would prevent me from causing a scene and deafening his eardrums.

"We. Already. Have. The. Tickets."

"Re-sell them."

"Whatever" I sighed, ending the call.

Taking a calming breath, I run a hand through my hair before massaging my temples. It was just a two-minute phone call, but I could already feel my head start to throb.

"Brian and his cronies not coming with us on Saturday?" Kate asked, her eyes not leaving the novel she was currently fawning over.

Despite the situation, I let out a snort. "Cronies? You make them sound like a mafia."

This time, Kate did look at me, raising an unimpressed eyebrow as she mouthed. "They're involved with drugs. They might as well be."

My amusement was short-lived. I sighed, forking a piece of muffin.

"He said his 'cronies' have a football thing that came up." I munched, before taking a breath. "Anyway, Brian's trying to quit. We've talked about it."

The gentle closing of a book was heard while I nibbled on my snack. My eyes darted back to her, finding her already eyeing me with curiosity.

"Is he really?"

Honestly speaking, I was a bit doubtful about his willingness to do so. But I just find myself hoping that he is far more conscientious than I give him credit. It's been two weeks since we had that talk in my bedroom and ended up with this decision.

There wasn't a day that passed that I didn't go second-guessing my choices. I didn't have the energy to explain this to my best friend though, so I just shrugged.

Kate sighed, crossing her arms and leaning over the table. "And what did you have to compromise?"

"Who said I had to compromise?" I asked defensively. I was met with a knowing look.

"With you and Brian, there's always an agreement."

I rolled my eyes. She knows too much. "I'm trying to be a better girlfriend."

Perhaps, I should've tried to word that better as Kate looked at me plainly horrified. "Did he ask that outright?"

"Of course not. But it was implied. I mean what else do I have to offer? Besides, it's not like I'm suitable for a girlfriend-of-the-year award." I scoffed.

This time, I was the one met with an explicitly affronted eye roll. "I don't get you at all."

"I've explained it to you."

"Doesn't mean I understand you."

"Hmm" I shrugged again, taking a sip of cranberry juice. "You don't have to." I quickly agreed. And it's true, she didn't really have to anyway.

"I know. But...I mean – uh God, you're gorgeous as fuck Alanna. You're smart, talented and one of the genuinely nicest people I know. You could have the world at your feet and any guy to do your bidding with just a snap of a finger." She exclaimed and then continued on with a derisive breath. "Yet you stick with Brian."