Run For Your Life

Apologies

Song: Natalie by Milk & Bone

May 2

"Hey." Greta calls out while taking a seat next to Beverly. Now both sit on the ledge, feet dangling.

"Hi." Beverly looks to her and offers an awkward smile.

"Pop tart?" Greta holds one out.

"Flavor?"

"Strawberry. Duh."

Beverly smiles and takes it from her. "My favorite."

Greta smiles too. "I know."

Beverly sighs. She can't help but to feel slightly uncomfortable. Greta is in the same boat, though. "I have so many questions."

"Yeah."

The redhead turns to her. "You left me. You left me after I told you everything about myself."

"Bev-..."

"Greta. You were my best friend. After you left I was just alone."

"I know. And I'm sorry, Bev. I really am." Greta squeezes her eyes.

"Then why did you leave me? After everything." Beverly's chin juts.

"I had to."

The redhead scoffs. She stands without saying another word. Greta is quick on her trail. She grabs Beverly's wrist, turning her around. Their eyes meet, but Beverly's are bright red.

She tears her wrist away and suddenly she's on fire. Greta flinches. She takes a step back and shakes her hand. She'd been burned.

"Calm down." Greta puts her hands up in defense.

"Calm down? Calm down! You knew what he did to me! You knew everything! You saw me and yet you stood by? What for popularity? Was I not enough for you?" Beverly shakes from anger.

"It's not like that!" Greta pleads. It can't end like this. She won't be sent away again.

"Oh really? I see right through you." Beverly stands high above her.

Greta's lip quivers. She looks anywhere but at Beverly. "You see nothing." Her voice is weak now.

"I was alone!" Beverly screams now.

This ignites something in Greta. Her eyes grow purple and wet. "You don't think I wasn't?" Her voice raises too.

"You left me!" Beverly takes a step closer. She's pointing at the other now.

"I had to!" Greta sobs.

"Why!"

The whole world seems to go quiet, as if pausing. But then Greta's tears roll and something inside of her bursts. The sky goes grey out of nowhere. Greta's veins match the color of her eyes. Finally she just lets it go.

"I was in love with you!"

A bolt of lightning seems to shoot out of her and towards the sky, lighting up everything around them in an electric glow. Thunder immediately roars in their ears right before a wave of rain comes crashing down onto them.

This puts out the flames that once covered Beverly. Now she just stands in shock. Greta cries, her heart begins to break all over again. "I know you can never love me back. But that's why."

"You could've told me."

Greta only shakes her head. "I couldn't stand the thought of rejection."

Beverly sighs. "So you left me?"

"It's not fair."

Beverly nods. "No. It's not. But-..." She drags off.

"But?"

Beverly lifts her eyes to meet with Greta's and she smiles. "But I'm glad to know why. Thank you."

Greta comes closer before finally taking the girl in her arms. It's been so long since they've hugged. Since they've been this close. She regrets leaving Beverly every single day. At the time she thought it would be better, but standing here now, she knows that's not true.

"I didn't mean to hurt you." Greta's voice calms Beverly down, just as it always used to. "I'm sorry."

And Beverly believes her. She understands to an extent. More than anything, she's glad to have her best friend back in her arms. Even if she can't give her the love she desires.