Flipped (L.T.)

Chapter 50: Parallel Pictures

When my eyes were finally opened yesterday, I started to take notice of Louis' progression my self.

I saw that he acted more lively around his friends like when I first came and was keeping new company; to be more specific, Marilyn's. She was suddenly a necessity to his group. I was skeptic about this and began to investigate. I inquired about her new position by Louis to Wesley. As soon as I spotted him in Physics, I questioned him. He was shit at lying and didn't hesitate to fill me in once I called him out on it. Like me, he was confused by her sudden importance as well but had just gotten back on good terms with Louis- for reasons unknown to me- and didn't want to initiate another argument. I stopped prying him for information after that. He had nothing to tell.

The next person I approached was Rosaria. I haven't spoken to her since we stayed at Arnie's house but I was hoping she'd see me. She was my best lead for information since Louis apparently told her everything. I didn't believe her at first until she recited most of Lou and I's story while we were alone. I never knew how much he believed in us until that night and that gave me the courage to speak with him on the balcony. But after receiving that letter, I wonder what Lou has told her about me now.

I spot her in the hallway by the fountains, scouting the area. When her eyes set on me, my fear is confirmed. Her usual warm smile is replaced by pursed lips and her kind eyes are suspicious. I know I've got my work cut out for me.

"Hey, can we talk?" I say upfront. "Its about Louis."

"I will not help you talk to him." She says immediately. "You should be ashamed for what you did Eliza."

"I know, I screwed up okay." I sigh. "I just want to see how he's doing."

"And why should I help you?" She crosses her arms, still guarded and untrusting. "You have no idea how much you hurt him Eliza."

"You're right." I say. Rosaria gives me a questionable look. "I have no idea b'cause I fucked up and ran away." I admit honestly.

She still remains speechless.

"Look, Rosaria, you're the only person who knows how I feel and-"

"I thought I did Eliza, but after what you did.." She pauses to look for the right words to explain my wrong-doing. "I could never trust you to not break his heart again."

"Again?" I echo. I know I hurt him, but that severe?

"Yes. You should've seen him when he came to my room looking for you. And the look on his face when he found out you left there, with no explanation why, was so cruel Eliza." She scolds me. "I just don't understand why'd you do such a thing after what you told me."

"Rosaria-"

"No. I refuse to listen to anything else you have to say until you tell me this." She says stubbornly. "Give me one good reason why I should."

I never knew how difficult she could be. Spanish girls really are feisty.

I was now faced with a new decision. I could either walk away now and just accept the fact that Louis is with Marilyn and that I should just move on; or take the chance of being vulnerable and tell Rosaria everything.

The only person I've poured out my feelings to is Louis and thats because they were for him. But Rosaria; she was still considered a stranger to me. A well acquainted one, but I didn't know if I could fully trust her. She was Louis' confidant and I didn't want to risk upsetting him more if I made her pity me with my sob story. She could easily just run up to him later and spill all the information she discovered. It wouldn't be stuff he wasn't already aware of; but in part of her loyalty, I'm sure she would.