Her attention focuses back on me, and the tears in her eyes nearly send me to my knees. This beautiful ray of sunshine looks absolutely crushed, and it’s all my fault.
“You’re not who I thought you were.” Her voice breaks, and so does my heart.
In an instant, the hurt disappears from her face and is replaced with a cold, impassive look.
“Well, I hope you boys have fun celebrating your triumph.”
“No, Ellie, wait–”
“I swear it’s not–”
“Please believe me–”
Without another word, she turns on her heel and starts walking out of the classroom. I look at the clock, and only five minutes have passed since class ended. Is that really how fast your life can be over?
We rush after her, shouting apologies and explanations, and promises that everything we’ve said and done was real and not just some bet, but she keeps walking without a backwards glance.
When we exit the front doors of the school, we stop in our tracks when she abruptly turns to face us.
“I never want to see you guys again. Don’t call, don’t text, don’tanything.”
“Eleanor, please.” This time it’s my voice that breaks.
“Griffin Hart, I will never fucking forgive you for this.”
I think it would have hurt less if she hit me with a tire iron. I’ve never heard her curse like that–it sounds wrong coming out of the same mouth that sings in the car and rants about movie candy.
“And you,” she aims specifically at Jack. “I can almost believe this from them, but not from you.”
Jack looks nearly as heartbroken as I feel. I’ve never seen him open up to anyone besides me and David, and the thought of ruining one of his few safe friendships is more than I can stomach.
With one final look at each of us, she whispers, “Please, just leave me alone.”
All I can do is watch desperately as the girl of my dreams walks away from me.
Spinning around to face David, I spit out, “What the fuck is your problem dude?”
“Griffin I swear, I didn’t think–”
“No, you fucking didn’t,” I yell angrily. I’m being unfair, and I know it. But I don’t care.
“You know what David, I don’t want to hear from you either.”
“Take a deep breath, man,” Jack says, trying his best to calm me down.
“Don’t give me that bullshit, Jack,” I fire back. “I’m done.”
Before they can say another word, I storm to my car. They can find their own damn ride.
I peel out of the parking lot, with no intention of going home. I have no idea where I’m going to go, but I am painfully aware that wherever it is, I’m going alone.
I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do know one thing–this is without a doubt, the worst fucking day of my life.
Chapter 12
Ellie
July, Age 15
