Always Adam

Chapter 39

Mike is still sleeping as I dress to go for a run. I stand watching him. His blond hair lying over his face. He looks so peaceful sleeping in my bed. If someone had told me a year ago that Mike and I would be close friends again, I never would have believed them. I had completely forgiven him for what he had done to me. He had proved to be a good friend in the end. As if sensing me watching him, he brushes back his hair and opens his eyes. He smiles at me. He looks cute. "How are you," he asks. "I'm going to be okay," I say. "Thanks for last night." He simply looks at me and says "Anytime."

I run and I run, and I run. I fall to the ground and look up at the sky. I turn the clouds into shapes until I run out of clouds. I close my eyes and try to rid myself of the pain. After some time, I force myself up off the ground and make my way home. Ava is pacing the living room when I walk through the door. She runs over and pulls me into a hug. She's crying. "I'm sorry Carly. I had no idea he was going to come here. I know I told you I wouldn't talk to him about you. And I didn't really. I mean I told him to stay away from you. That he caused you so much pain. He tried to stay away, but someone told him you were dating someone. I guess he panicked and felt he had to see you. He still loves you."

I pull back and look at her. "What are you talking about Ava," I ask confused. "I refused to talk about you to Adam, but someone else did. When Adam came home from Philadelphia, I told him to stay away from you. Which he tried to do, but then he heard you were dating someone, and it was getting serious. He went nuts. He cornered me at grams the other night and started grilling me about you and this guy you were supposedly seeing. I didn't tell him anything. I told him to leave you alone. He had done enough damage. I'd never seen him so upset Carly. Not even when Nikki went missing. I should have known he would contact you. I'm sorry I didn't warn you."

"I hate that you are in the middle of this Ava. It's fine. I'm going to be fine. I can get through this," I tell her knowing I am lying. Seeing Adam changed everything. I avoid Ty's calls for three days. I hole up in my bed claiming sickness. Cody tells Ty I got the flu. I don't drink or take any pills this time. I just use the time to think and sleep. At the end of three days I come to a decision. I call Ty and ask him to come over. He sits on my bed looking worried. He looks good. I can't believe I am about to break up with him. I think he already knows.

"I thought I was over him," I say. It's a weak excuse. He looks grief stricken but holds it together. "I'll go slow Carly," he says. His eyes are pleading with me. I wipe a tear from my cheek. I really feel bad. "I know Ty. I care about you too much to string you along not knowing what I want. You deserve better." He looks at me with his copper eyes. They look glossy. I say a silent prayer that he doesn't cry in front of me. I don't know if I can handle that. "I was totally falling for you," he says standing. My heart breaks for him. "I guess I should just go then," he says looking from me to the door. I watch him walk out of my life.

It takes three weeks for Cody to forgive me. He sits next to me in class and at lunch but refused to talk to me. I knew he would get over it eventually. Ty is now dating someone else so there is no reason for Cody to hold a grudge. He's mad at me for letting Adam win. "He heard you were dating someone and look what he did. He sabotaged it Carly. He may not have gotten you in the end, but he made sure Ty didn't get you," Cody lectured. I know he's right. I know one visit from Adam messed up my head. I don't look at it as him winning though. If it had been right with Ty it would have happened. As much as I liked Ty, there was something missing.

I spend Thanksgiving break with Donna and Ted. I love spending time with Olivia and Teddy. A couple of weeks before Christmas, I take them shopping for presents. Mike tags along. "Are you and Mike boyfriend and girlfriend," Olivia asks as we walk towards the food court for something to eat. "No, we're just friends," I tell her as I glance over to Mike. Mike gives me a smile. "Are you still friends with Adam," she asks innocently. My heart stops for a quick second. "No Olivia. I'm not friends with Adam," I tell her. She looks up at me with innocent eyes and ask "why." I swallow hard and look to Mike. He gently lifts Olivia up onto his shoulders and points towards the big Christmas tree in front of us to distract her.