CHANGING MATT

lions den

Jenna

"Are you okay, Jenn?" Carolina asks, slamming the female restroom door behind her. I'd ran all the way here to sulk in my misery, and in some way I was glad she came after me.
"I'm fine" I say through sniffs, struggling to keep my brave façade on.
"Did you expect Matt to come after you?" I'm taken aback by her question, but I realize that I still longed for his presence. If I knew he was coming after me, I would have ran back to the dorms, since he's allowed in there. But he never did. No matter how many times he hurts me, he never comes after me. I nod, balling my hands into fists, and staring over at my appearance in the full length mirror. My eyes are red and my hair is fuzzy. It's at moments like this I'm grateful that I don't apply makeup.  Carolina draws me into a hug, sympathy written all over her countenance.
"I'm sorry he's like that. I'm sure he would have come after you, but he clearly didn't want to loose his big shot with Scarlet"  I almost taste sarcasm in her tone, but then I face palm myself for how much of an ingrate I'm being in my own head. She could have been anywhere, but Carolina Dallas is here, in the girls washroom, with me.
"Thank you Carolina. For being such a great friend" I say, clutching her palms. She acknowledges me for only a few seconds, her lips twitching into a smile. But then it vanishes and paves way for a frown. She turns her back to me.
"You still love him, after all he's done" she sounds conflicted, and I wonder why.
"I don't. I never-"
"You do Jenna. Your becoming obsessed. Your becoming like me".
" I don't understand " I say in all sincerity. And I know I'll never really understand Carolina Dallas. At least not in this life.
"Matt. He's ruined many girls. You know that girl Lauren? He and Mark had planned it all out to ruin her. He was the mastermind behind everything."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you should keep off" she says viscously, her eyes lighting with aggression. I take a step back, and realization flashes through her eyes at how freaked out I am by her.
"I'm sorry I'm acting like this. Sometimes I'm crazy, because I've had enough of the world."
I turn around and head towards the exit, utterly short of words.
"Your my only friend, Jenna. You can't let Matt ruin you. He's the reason Lauren dropped out of school. It's easy to blame it all on Mark, because Mark always acts out Matt's evil plots and schemes. But you'd be wise enough to know who exactly brings up these ideas. You know who created the woo list?"
"Wh-who?" I ask, already dreading her reply.
"Matt Miller."
"You know who worked his butt off trying to sabotage my relationship with Jones? You know who almost kicked him out the group because he said he loved me?"
"Matt?"
"Matt Miller"
"You know who-"
"What are you getting at?" I snap, realizing I've had enough.
"You can't change Matt Miller. The least you could do is to keep off the lions den".

****
_To Treasure...for pestering me to write longer chapters😂😁💓