Betty & James

Chapter 11: hoax

Betty's Point of view

"Dylan!!" As I screamed his name. It all started to blackout in an instant. Dylan started a fight earlier with James Robison, my ex-boyfriend. His punches on my ex made me feel empty. Why would they ever fight just to get me? I don't want to see this. I tried to stop him with all my might. I felt within me, A flame slowly dying. After accidentally getting hit by Dylan. I woke up here in the local hospital. Dylan was holding my hand. I searched for James and asked if he was also there. Then my mother told me that James was never allowed to visit me. Even my parents banned him from entering my room.

"What happened?" My thoughts were mixed up. I don't remember what happened to James. Did Dylan almost kill him? I just don't know... I'm already 18... Legal enough to have my own voice and mind. I didn't fight for James, nor did I ever wish to hate him. Moments that he was with me since I was 16. As an 18-year-old, this was my year of uncertainty.

Sadness filled the air, Dylan was there. His eyes look into mine. He was shaking like a nervous puppy in front of me. "Dylan...What happened to James?" Dylan then turned cold. He froze at me mentioning James' name.

"He's fine. Don't worry about it, Betty."

For a second thought, was he lying? Was he really explaining to me the truth? All I remember was James sitting on the ground trying his best not to fight back. Dylan punched him with his fist going bloody. It wasn't what I expect to happen. A week later, I was able to manage to attend classes.

James was kneeling down in front of August. I was right to break up with him. I witnessed his marriage proposal to August. Dylan wasn't lying at all. James is alright with a smile on his face. I kind of felt the shivers in my body. The urge to puke was what I felt. This was outright disgusting for me to see.

Marriage? To James? Why would August have the audacity to marry such a douchebag! She doesn't deserve James... Neither did I deserve him.

James and August... That sounded pretty awful since I was part of that love triangle. Now I'm out of the picture, they are getting married.

Did I ever make a mistake? Why am I feeling so sad to see them kissing in front of me? The flashback of him. His lips on mine, his smell, everything. All of it was gone because of his affair with August. Did he ever think of me when he betrayed me?

The flashbacks... My memories of him got disintegrated. The polaroids he made for the both of us. Those pictures deserved burning. I never burnt it... I only placed it in the attic. Never returning the stuff he gave me. Even the cardigan he bought for me.

When classes ended. I hid in the art room. Crying by myself, after all... I don't deserve to be sad. Dylan knocked on the door of my art room.

"Betty Freeman." He called my name in frustration since the door was locked. "Why do you care so much, Dylan?" I asked still not opening the lock. "Betty! I've been for you all this time. Why wouldn't I care?" He did have a point... But this conversation feels pointless. Dylan and I should only remain best friends. Why would he want more of me? He even harmed me because of his jealousy of James.

"Leave me alone, I don't want you here!" He stood there I could see the lower part of his shoes under the door. I was sitting on the floor, knees closer to my chest. I could feel my heart sinking. My eyes were watery as tears continued streaming down my face. I didn't wipe my face with anything. I stayed silent, waiting for Dylan to leave.

"Betty, I know you still loved him. I just want him to stop hurting you anymore. He did it again. That fool! He only cares for himself and not you. He deceived you." Dylan's reasoning out sounded deafening. A hex that made me under a spell to let him in my life again.

"Fine. I'll open the door. Just don't go too close to me." I wiped away my tears. The scars that James left upon me... The memories.

"Forget it, Betty, he has August now." My conscience told me. Despite all the hurt, James caused months ago... I still haven't moved on as fast as he did. I unlocked the door letting Dylan come in. Dylan hugged me as fast as I opened the door.

"I told you I don't want you to be so close," I said he pulled himself away. I was looking down at the floor. I know Dylan, he's been my best friend since grade school and became a new student here so that he could stay with me. He is loyal but clingy... This moment made me feel stronger. After the hoax that James did. After the months I've grown closer to Dylan.

"I want to shoot him dead. I just can't stop noticing him flaunt his new girl. Is he really serious to marry her? I don't really care Betty. As long as he is nowhere near you."

James and Betty were never meant to be I guess. I and James disconnected and grew farther away. After Senior year, he'll marry a girl named August Summers. It doesn't make any sense anymore. Part of me still loved him and part of me will never forgive him for what he did.

Dylan was always here for me, not James. Not like those silly puppy love he tricked me on. I only felt the burden James had become and not all those fun moments with him saying I love you...Kissing me on the porch of my house. Lying down under the stars while listening to music.

It didn't make any sense. Inez proves me wrong when she sent the photo. He could be a shitty person but he did make me smile before. But Dylan, he had been in my shadow. Constantly being there when I need my best bud the most.

I had chosen Dylan over James. It's my fault if I still love James. I'm totally fine now! Dylan Blake is mine... I am his, this can't change.

Dylan took my hand and asked me if I could go with him. To where? I didn't know.

All I know is that I trust Dylan now more than James. At least he won't hurt me again as he'd promised me. Protecting me at all costs. More than I can ever imagine being in love. The sense of trust was more important to me.

As I entered his car, he drove me to his home. Somewhere safer than the school. Somewhere I lost my thoughts of James. We didn't enter his bedroom. We just stayed in the living room and played games like the usual Dylan and Betty could. At that time, I enjoyed being with Dylan. I become freer on becoming myself. More of the colors turned bright and happy.

Finally, I could forget all about James and August.

In a place where everything becomes fixed like a painting made of little puzzle pieces.