“That’s the point I’m trying to make,” she says slowly. “It is different. Because you actually liked Gavin.”
“I liked TJ too,” I say.
“No, no you didn’t. I’m your best friend and I know these things. Youwantedto like him but you didn’t.”
“Yeah, well they’re both liars,” I say with a sigh. “I can’t deal with liars.”
“I think you should give Gavin another chance.”
“What!” I sit up in bed. “How can you say that? He lied to me!”
“And then he explained it all in his letter,” she says. “You like him a lot. I know you do. He made a mistake and he’s trying to make up for it. You should meet him halfway.”
My eyes flood with unshed tears. I think deep down I know she’s right. I suffered when I found out about Gavin’s lie. I was heartbroken. When I read his letter and realized that TJ also lied to me, I just wanted revenge. I wanted to tell him it was over and then be done with it. I didn’t hurt at all.
“Gavin is the guy your heart wants,” Livi continues. “You should talk to him.”
I look at his letter and think about how he’s been the last few weeks. He’s quiet. He sits there and ignores the world, and then he leaves school for lunch. He doesn’t seem to have any friends anymore. This entire thing has ruined his life lately. TJ still has his soccer team and his friends and his reputation. He hasn’t suffered at all, and yet the guy who was noble enough to admit he made a mistake has had all of the suffering heap onto his shoulders.
When we get off the phone, I send Gavin a text.
Me:Hey, are you awake?
It’s only eight-thirty so he has to be awake. But I sit around and wait for a reply that never comes.
Then I pull on the warmest clothes I own and go out to the living room. Mom is asleep but Grandpa is still up listening to the TV.
“Can I borrow your truck?” I ask him.
He frowns. “How late is it?”
“Not that late,” I lie.
“Okay then. Be careful, it’s cold out there.”
“Thanks, Grandpa,” I say, giving him a hug. “I’ll be back soon.”
