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“Nice, Dylan,” I spat.
Dylan’s eyes shot from the menu up to my face for a few brief seconds. “What? It’s not like he keeps it a secret.”
I shook my head in disgust, but what was the point? Soon, I’d be gone, and it wouldn’t matter either way. “Well, I don’t even know him, and I told you that I have something important to talk to you about, so...”
“What’s your problem, lately? Why can’t we just hang out anymore? We always have these depressing conversations. Can’t you just be cool like you used to?” His interruption told me he didn’t want to hear what I had to say. Maybe he had a suspicion about what was coming.
Embarrassment was making every inch of my skin burn. I could feel it set my face on fire and start to creep down my neck and chest. “I don’t know. Maybe because you’re such a prick, and I’m not one of your adoring groupies who flutter around and fawn all over you?” I pursed my lips and both of my eyebrows arched.
“Wow.” Dylan threw the menu aside. “That’s bitchy, Remi. You’re the one who disappeared and isn’t ever around anymore.”
“Is that so?” I retorted. “Are you sure I wasn’t pushed to the back of the crowd?” It was true that I’d stopped going to games and parties, but only after I’d become invisible.
Dylan’s blue eyes bore into me. I could see him seething.
“Yes!” he hissed.
“Right. Well, you have enough new friends now, you don’t need insignificant little me.” I knew it sounded pathetic, but I was so angry and hurt; I couldn’t seem to stop the word vomit that I knew wouldn’t help the situation.
“It isn’t like I haven’t tried to include you in everything, but you’re always making excuses because you can’t join.”
I sucked in my breath, silently telling myself not to continue fighting with him. It wouldn’t help either one of us.
The waiter showed up and Dylan looked annoyed. “Can you give us a few minutes, please?”
“I’ve been going through some stuff of my own, that’s all,” I said in a calmer tone after the waiter retreated.
“Like what?” Instantly, Dylan’s demeanor changed, and he stiffened. His brow dropped. “Has someone been bothering you? Just tell me who it is, and I’ll put a stop to it.”
I got a glimpse of the old Dylan; my Dylan; the one who protected me and was always there for me. I shook my head and he visibly relaxed. “It’s nothing like that.”
“What is it then?” I felt like he was really looking at me for the first time in months. It hurt, in a good way, and made me question my decision to leave. I wanted to reach across the table and touch him, so badly.
“I’ve been thinking… and I just think…” I rambled. “I’ve decided…”
“Remi, for Christ’s sake, just spit it out already.” Dylan ran an exasperated hand through his thick mop of sandy blond hair. “You never had trouble talking to me, so get on with it.”
“Okay. I’m transferring to U of T next semester,” I blurted before I could think about it.
Dylan froze and his eyes locked with mine. He waited a good five seconds before speaking. “Why?” His voice was low and controlled but the muscle in his jaw flexed.
I broke eye contact, hoping it would make the next words easier and more convincing. “Because I’m trying to decide between med school and St. Jude’s grad program in Biometrics. I think I need to be there in the thick of it to make the correct choice. Besides, you’re so focused on soccer… you won’t have to worry about me anymore.”
“Is that right?” His voice hardened. “I’m super glad you’ve decided what I do and don’t need to do.”
I closed my eyes briefly before opening them and looking at him imploringly. “Don’t be a jerk. It hasn’t been an easy decision but what about what’s best for me?”
“Why is this the first I’m hearing about it? Obviously, you’ve been thinking about it for a while.” He was pissed, and it was written all over him.
“Because you’re so busy! We never spend any time together anymore. It isn’t as if I had a million opportunities to tell you.”
“I told you… you’re the one who ghosted me! I know it hasn’t been like high school, but things change. We both have shit going on. I’m here right now, aren’t I? All you had to do was ask if you wanted to see me.”
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t think I had to make an appointment to speak with my best friend.” I was on the defensive and I crossed my arms across my chest. Plus… it worked both ways: he could have asked to see me, just as easily.
Dylan huffed. “We always used to talk about everything, Remi.”
I felt indignant. How dare he say that to me when he was the reason our relationship changed? “Yeah, we did.Did. Past tense. We’re just going in different directions, lately.”
