Personally 2 [Complete]

Chapter 13: The Grand Plan

I wore the same suit that I had worn to Harry's little get together. Only this time, I wore no tie and the first three buttons were undone. My hair was gelled back and I smelled like old spice and soap. The garden was peaceful, it truly was. With all the chaos that's been happening, I needed this peace to calm me. Veronica's reveal made me question everything that I had done. Using Ms. Abreau, mistreating Janet, and dragging Mindy into this. I wondered if I was really capable of going as far as she did. I waited a safe distance away from the fountain. Harry came out and stood there, puzzled and anxious. McNaughton did exactly as he was told, except Ms. Abreau wasn't coming. I held the letter in my hand, feeling the envelope's content. Even though Veronica had sent it out already, I quickly retrieved it after her betrayal. Was this the right thing to do? I can't say. I stared at the letter as if waiting for it to give me answers. I'm here even though I know the plan can not work. I got dressed knowing that it'd result in nothing. What exactly am I looking for? A validation that I did something, or at least tried? My mother came out shortly after. I was amazed to see how stunning she looked in a glittering long dress that showed her back. I kept watching. When they were alone, her smile was brighter than the moon. I ended up sticking around and watching, observing them. They eventually left the garden, but went somewhere completely different, to a shore, with a dock. They just stood there alone together. It was communication with no words. Did Harry know that language too? Feeling like I had seen enough, I decided to go somewhere as well. I couldn't say that I hadn't regretted not going through with the plan, but all at once, I was glad I didn't. I went to the liquor store, but it seemed I wasn't the only one getting a drink. Cunningham was here too. I didn't have enough energy to hate him right now, I couldn't care less anymore.

***

I'm not sure what expression I had, but it compelled Cunningham to drop whatever he was doing and bring me into his car. Once again, I didn't have it in me to fight it. So there I was in Cunningham's car as he lightly tapped on the wheel.

"Look, Hye, if this is about Veronica I didn't mean to scare you or anything. If you want to keep being tutored-"

"-She left, Cunningham." I cut him off, correcting him of whatever assumptions that he had. "She was using me this whole time to get back at my mom."

It didn't surprise me that Cunningham did not have a response to this. After all, he'd thought she might've forgiven my mother.

"But that's not even it. I couldn't care less that she left. It's the fact that I'm just like her. I'm just as bad as she is. Everything she said about me, she was right about all of it." I continued to speak. "Do you know what it feels like to be the very thing you hate?"

"Hye, stop it. You're not like her, okay? You two were never the same and you never will be." He tried to reassure me in vain. Cunningham is a muscle head.

"You don't get it" I shook my head. "I used you and your family too, just like she used me. Your father, Harry, is engaged to my mom. I was trying to set up Ms. Abreau with him. They'd probably be together now if I didn't stop it." There. The truth had come out. I barely wanted him involved, but Cunningham needed to understand that I'm definitely less than what he thinks I am. "I'll let myself out." I grab onto the door handle.

"Whoa, wait Hye. You think I didn't know what you were up to?" He smiled, eyebrow raised. "Hye, Mindy is my girlfriend, remember? I know my father doesn't visit often, but she knows what my dad looks like. She told me about the engagement after that party thing my dad did. And my mom -oh man! She doesn't shut up about 'coincidentally' bumping into him all the time. And...I also saw you that day at the beach."

My eyes kept searching him. It felt all too unreal. I just didn't get it. If he knew all of this then why was he acting so relaxed about it? Why does he want to help me, and is he seriously smiling right now? "I don't get it...Why don't you hate me?"

"Because we're friends! I can't hate you, haha. Even though Mindy and I knew" He gripped his hands on the wheel. "We decided not to interfere. Look, you're going through something and it's hard. And if this is your way of coping with it, I'm not going to stop you." He shrugged.

Who am I talking to? Is this really Cunningham? Have I been envisioning the wrong person all this time? "...Fine, so you're not angry with me, but...how is she holding up, your mom, I mean?"

"I don't think she knows about your tactics. Mindy and I have kept it a secret."

"I know, but I put her through a lot. I just want to know if she's okay, you know, with everything."

I'm sure he gets what I mean now. He looked at me sympathetically and smiled. "I think that's something you should ask, yourself."

"I see...And Mindy, is she well?"

"Yeah, she's good. Busy working lately, but good." He nodded.

Since they started dating, I never bothered to ask about how they were doing as a couple even though I really wanted to know if Mindy was okay. Maybe I was too preoccupied with ruining Harry or maybe I just didn't think it'd last this long. "Why do you even like her?" I said. "I'm curious."

He looked at me, laughed loudly, then composed himself. "There's a lot to like about her. I mean, she's cool and gentle with like everything. She pays attention to detail and has the potential to do anything. I just want to be the guy who helps her find that potential. She makes me want to protect her but at the some time let her free so she could grow."

I'll be honest, I didn't expect that answer. According to what I previously thought of Cunningham, I expected something along the lines as "cause she's cool", or "I don't know, she's just a girl." But what he actually said made sense and I kind of related to it.

"I get that." I nodded. "It's just like with Janet. She's probably the most passionate person I know. She doesn't need me, but it always feels like I have to protect her. It's just how do you let her free and protect her at the same time? I struggle with that too."

"That's what I'm saying, it's so weird...Speaking of Janet, she told me about what happened between you two. You should probably go see her. I'll drive you if you want."

"Veronica said-"

"-Forget what Veronica said, bro. She's gone now. Do you wanna know what separates you from her? You have friends who'll always be there for you, man. Including Janet. I bet Veronica isn't even a little bit concerned with other people, but you are. So, it's time to make a decision for yourself."