If Only She'd Loved Him

Chapter 68

September 2nd
Saturday 7:45 pm

"I swear, Jean, if he asks where I am, or where I'm going one more time, I'm gonna kill him.  Why does he have to know?  He acts like we're married or something!" Megan slammed her hairbrush down on the dresser.

"So break up wif him."  Jean called from the kitchen, her mouth stuffed with chips.

"I tried a few weeks ago.  He started crying.  It was so sad.  He said things like, I'm the only one who cares about him, said he was sorry, that we just needed more time together. Then he made it worse, said he'd never cried till he met me.  I felt lousy.  I hate it when guys cry.  Guys shouldn't cry.  It should be a law.  I just couldn't do it to him."

Jean entered Megan's room, perching on her lower bunk bed. "I don't get it.  You two have only been going out since this summer.  Just tell him you met someone new and end it."

"It's not that simple.  He really helped me out before."

"You really helped him out with History," she retorted. "You're even.  End it."

Megan stared into the mirror.  Her eyes shifted, not wanting to meet her own gaze.  She stared at her hair again, then picked up her mascara and started fluffing her lashes in water-proof black.

Jean watched her. "C'mon," she urged.  "You don't have to do it in person.  Just call him on the phone, or better yet, text him.  Then you won't even have to talk to the creep."           

"He's not a creep!"  The anger in Megan's own voice surprised her.  "He's just way too over-protective." 

Jean shrugged, and climbed off the bed.  She stood next to Megan, facing her in the mirror.  She picked up a makeup brush.  "Mind if I borrow your blush?" she asked, flipping open the case and dabbing it on her cheeks before Megan could even say yes.

"Yeah, go ahead," Megan smiled. "What's mine is yours. You going out with Brian tonight?"

"Yup," Jean grinned, "the boy's gonna get lucky."

"He's already got you.  How much luck can he take?" Megan teased, flipping her brush at Jean with a snap.

"True."  Jean smiled at her reflection in satisfaction.  She pursed her lips, giving herself a quick kiss.  Pushing the compact shut, she left it on the dresser.  "So is that what you're going to wear to end it?" she asked, deliberately refusing to let the topic rest.

"Who said I was going to break up with him tonight?" Megan demanded.

"You did.  Look, your hands are shaking.  Your skin's all pale.  You look lousy."

"Thanks Jean," Megan frowned.  "Make me feel good."

"It sucks," Jean continued, "but it's got to be done.  He's driving you nuts.  You're a sophomore, Megan.  Don't you want to have fun before you get serious?"

"Yeah, but."

"No buts.  End it or stop bitching about him, cause I'm sick of listening to it."

"Again, your compassion warms my heart."

"Just telling the truth, roomie, just telling the truth."  Jean put down her hairbrush, placing her hand on Megan's shoulder. Her voice grew gentle as she looked at the distress in Megan's eyes. She was such a softie, but she was also her best friend.  "You'll be okay," she reassured her.  "Don't worry, you'll be fine, and so will he." 

Megan put her hand on top of Jean's hand. "Thanks."  She glanced at the clock by her bed.  "Hey it's almost 8:00.  Wasn't Brian supposed to be here by now?"