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“If a guy likes you, he won’t be afraid to tell you.” The moment the words came out, I regretted them. I wanted to tell her. I wanted her to know that whatever she was feeling, I was feeling too, but I was a fucking coward.
I didn’t know how to explain what I was feeling.
“Oh,” she replied, her eyes lowering, and I could see the disappointment in her features.
I was an idiot.
“Are you excited for your birthday?” I needed to change the subject.
She shrugged. I knew she didn’t have a lot of friends, so I wanted to do something to make her feel special.
Viola Fisher was special. To me, at least.
I didn’t have a lot of money, but I managed to scrape enough together from mowing lawns to buy her something. I thought about it for weeks, wanting to get her the perfect gift.
I couldn’t let Drew know, though, because then I definitely wouldn’t hear the end of it. When I did finally pick out the perfect necklace for her, I wrapped it with some old wrapping paper I found in our attic and hid it under her pillow. Inside, I wrote a short note:
When a guy likes you, he’ll make sure you know.
I knew I was crossing every single line by writing that note, but I didn’t care. I wanted her to feel extra special on her birthday. When she wasn’t burying her head in a book or reciting the value of Pi, she’d talk to me for hours about all the characters and different worlds she’d read about. I never knew what she was talking about, but it didn’t matter. I just enjoyed being around her even if Drew poked fun at me for it.
But that was the last birthday I ever bought something for her. Over the next few days, she dismissed me, throwing me out like yesterday’s trash. Anytime I tried talking to her, she’d ignore me or walk away. By the time school started back up, we were no longer friends at all. I was a freshman in high school, and she was still in middle school. Between working on the weekends and practices, we barely even saw each other in passing.
I pull into the parking lot and sit in my car a moment stewing on the flashback that resurfaced. I think about how different things would’ve been had I told her.
A text from Drew interrupts my thoughts.
Drew
Dude, what are your plans this weekend?
I almost want to tell him that my plan is to fuck with his sister, but…well, that wouldn’t be kosher.
Travis
No plans, other than getting laid.
I reply with a smug smile.
Drew
Glad to know nothing’s changed in the few days I’ve been gone. Come to the lake this weekend. We’re heading up early Friday. It’ll be fun.
I think about Viola staying at our house alone, and I’m not sure I approve of that. She can take care of herself, but I’d rather be here if something happened.
Travis
It’s Mia’s and your weekend to be alone. Enjoy it, dude.
Drew
One minute, we’re happy, and the next minute, we aren’t. Dunno what’s going on. I think having people here will be better.
I’m no longer smiling. Drew loves Mia and would do anything for her. I don’t like to hear things aren’t going as planned.
Travis
If you want me there, I’ll be there.
