“And?”Jupiter questions, folding her arms across her chest, unperplexed.
Is she serious right now?
“And I would rather live my life outside prison walls.I mean, maybe it’s time to stop?”
“Why the sudden change of heart?Something else has happened apart from Smokes.”
Instantly, my cheeks heat.
Jupiter senses the change and shakes her head, tonguing her cheek in anger.“Un-fucking-believable.You think we can just ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after?That was never an option for us!”
“Why not?”I question, unsure why it’s all doom and gloom.“Last I checked, we’re the ones in control of our future.We can do whatever we want.We can be whomever we want to be.”
Jupiter snickers, making me feel juvenile for even suggesting such a thing.“Oh, save me theLittle House on the Prairiebullshit.This is real life, Hallie.We’ve done some really bad things, and just because you’ve had a change of heart doesn’t erase all the horrible things we’ve done.Do you really believe you can live a normal life?Or that anyone will love you if they discover who you really are?”
My lower lip trembles, but I hold back my tears.
My reaction is this way because what she says is true.Kit would never give me the time of day if he knew the truth.
“Oh my fucking God.This has got to do with a guy?”
When I don’t reply, she grows even more incensed.“Go on then!Go live your happily ever after.But don’t come crying to me when it turns to shit because we both know that it will!If you can’t even tell him your real name, then how do you expect to build a future with him?”
She’s right.
“Live your life the way you want.But don’t you dare tell me how to live mine.And remember, I will always love you…regardless of what you’ve done.”She spins and storms off, ending a conversation that was doomed from the get-go.
I watch her shove past oblivious patrons and into the bathroom.I could follow her, but what would I say?
Everything she said was right.
But I believe that I am too.
We’ve reached an impasse, something that’s never happened before.
This is an argument no one will win.
So what do I do now?
This is our first fight.
I feel sick inside.
Losing Jupiter would destroy me.
I decide to give her some time to cool off, and perhaps we both can process everything that just happened.Maybe she’ll see that I only come from a good place.
But as I walk out the front door, I realize that’swhyJupiter behaved the way she did—because she isn’t good.
The fresh air slaps at my cheeks, clearing my head.
Truth be told, I hate fighting with her.But I don’t regret expressing my concerns.
With a sigh, I drag my feet as I walk toward my car, feeling sorry for myself.But that sadness soon turns to paranoia as I glance over my shoulder, convinced someone is following me.
No one is there.
It’s likely just my guilty conscience playing tricks on me.Regardless, I can’t help but continue looking over my shoulder every few steps, expecting to see the boogeyman.
