The Other Us

Part 7: Everything Changes

Last night was a good night... And then it turned terrible real fast. I wasn't expecting to see Helen kissing another guy. I can't help the jealousy inside of me. I wanted to go up to them until Helen she's making a mistake. Whoever that guy was, he won't make her happy. She pushed me in the direction of Georgia, she doesn't want to change fate, she already is. She's the one who's forcing everything. My heart hurts. I guess I'll just see her Monday. I'll have to be cordial, ask how Friday went. Maybe I can convince her to go on a date with me. Georgia was nice. She was very pretty. Funny, smart, outgoing. But she's not Helen. Maybe I'm just stuck. Maybe I'm just stuck in a rut of Helen. She's the first one ever to make me feel valued and important. And now, I just feel like garbage. I feel like she just threw me away. It's not her fault though. I push too much. I'm too clingy. Too naïve. Not to mention I mess everything up anyway.

My phone goes off, and I look at it. It's Georgia.

I don't care what Helen says. She can't tell me that if I don't date Georgia, that it's going to change the whole future. For all we know these stupid flashes really mean nothing. They're just getting in the way at this point. I hit ignore, and set my phone down on my bed. I'm not entertaining the idea. Who's the say we would've even been happy? She wouldn't understand my need to help people. Or my passion to be a doctor. The whole thing is pointless. I'm not doing this anymore. Making my own goddamn decisions, I'm not giving a shit about what these flashes appear to be.

Picking up my phone again, I go through my contacts and block George's number. I'm not gonna entertain any of this. I don't want to see your text messages or at her phone calls. Getting to Helen's, I open it up and I collar. I lay here in bed, staring at the ceiling waiting for her to answer. She usually picks up by the second or third ring. However I'm on the fifth ring already, and she's not answering.

"Hi, you've reached the inbox of Helen Sharpe. I'm not at the phone right now so please leave your name number and a brief message and I'll get back to you soon as I can thanks for calling and have a grand day!" It's already 10 o'clock, why isn't she picking up. She's usually up around 8 o'clock even on the weekends. What could she be doing that's so important?

"Max! I just want to help!"

I hear her calling out to me.

"How about when I need your help- I'll let you know!"

My voice sounds angry. I guess in both places I am. I'm so pissed off and ready to just break something. Just going out with that guy from last night- pisses me off. He probably went out and had some cute dinner, and then went home. Probably had sex. This whole thing sucks. How heavy the world feels right now. I hate it. I hate that I feel so terrible, when I was just starting to feel good. Doesn't it figure? You think you have something good happening in your life and then fate comes along and kicks you in the gonads- and takes everything from you.

Rolling out of bed this morning, I trudge down the stairs in my pajama pants and head to the kitchen to get some cereal.

"Hey, Pal! What's going on?"  My dad is sitting at the island counter- reading his newspaper and eating toast- like every morning. He always seems so cheery in the morning.

"Not much, Dad."

"Got in kinda late last night. Behaving?"

"Yes. I was at this pub watching bands play." Grabbing a bowl, I set it on the counter with my spoon and reach in the top cupboard to grab Honey Bunches of Oats. Lastly I get the milk and come back to make my breakfast.

"Yeah? Sounds fun. Did you go with Helen?" Mom isn't a fan of Helen- but Dad doesn't seem to mind. He met her once when he picked me up. They had a pleasant conversation and honestly, it was kind of funny watching my dad to bond with her...even if it was for only five minutes.