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Howcould she possibly say that to me, when she’s known me for most of my life?We’vegrown up together, know each other more than we know ourselves, and she feels the need to call me outside my name.Istare at the torn fabric, lifting the band tee into my hands and letting my tears fall onto it like a waterfall.
Thiswas the first concertWinnieandIever went to together, the most funIever had in my life, andI’vekept this shirt — even though it doesn’t fit me one bit — to commemorate the memory.WhatdoIneed this stupid memory for if she doesn’t care to look at all the goodI’vedone for her over the years?
Theone time in high school whenIfound she was sneaking out of her room to go with a boy, andIcovered for her whenCamdencame looking for her.Oranother time, when she got an emergency fund, then spent it on a new pair of shoes —Itold her parentsIneeded to use it, which resulted in her getting the money all over again.Theyalso told meIcould come to them with anythingIneed, not realizing thatIdidn’t actually need their money.
NowthatIthink about it,I’msure they got the hint pretty quickly and just tried to show they didn’t care much about it.
But, that’s not the point.Thepoint is,I’vealways been a really good friend to her.I’vealways stuck by her side even though she’s made me do ridiculous shit throughout our friendship, and now she’s calling me outside my name.Why?Becauseshe thinksIwas seeingCamden, thenBishopbehind her brother’s back?
I’mchoking back sobs asIclutch the shirt to my chest, then do the only thingIcan think of — call my mom.Shehangs up immediately after hearing my voice and rushes over, walking right up to my room with sadness in her eyes.Herarm comes around me as she scoots to the floor, bringing me closer to her chest. “Wantto talk about it?”
“I-it’sWinnie,”Isay through sobs. “S-she called me a b-bitch.Th-then left.”Partof me expected her to text me, admit that she was wrong for the things she said and that she didn’t mean them, butI’veyet to get a damn thing from her.Shedoesn’t even care about what she said to me, and it hurts.
“Well, why would she do that?”Mymother asks, running her fingers through my hair.ThankfullyItook my hair down in the middle of the night last night while atBishop’s, or else it would be a disaster this morning.
Itake a few calming breaths, trying to bring my sobs to a minimum, then shrug. “Idon’t know.Shesaid something about playing with people’s feelings, but the only personIplayed with wasBishop— and we are working through that.”
Mymother nods. “Whowas she talking about?”
“Camden,Ithink, which is weird becauseI’vegiven him no indication thatIwant to be with him.I’vegiven him the opposite, actually.”Isigh and rub at my eyes. “Iwant to be withBishop, soItoldCamdento leave me alone.Hehasn’t.But, from whatWinnieyelled at me, she thinks we are together.”
“Isit possibleCamdenisn’t telling her the truth?”
Icock my head to the side and squint at her. “Whywould he possibly do that?”
Mymother chuckles. “Babygirl, he’s an athlete, who probably thinks no woman could ever deny him… and now you are.He’sprobably trying to make you out to be a bad person.”
Itmakes sense, but that only hurts me more.Winniedidn’t give me the chance to correct her, just went along with whateverCamdensaid to her and took that as the truth.Judgingby the way she stormed in here,I’mwilling to bet it never once crossed her mind thatI’dnever do something like that.
Howcould she think so poorly of me?
Ilet out another string of sobs, prompting my mother to tighten her arms around me, andIsink into her embrace.I’vebeen thinking that sinceIhaven’t felt my phoneWinniehasn’t texted me, but nowI’mrememberingIleft it in the living room.Maybeshe did text me to apologize for how she treated me, andIjust haven’t seen it.
Mymother follows me downstairs as quickly as she can, thenI’mfalling to the ground whereIleft my phone and picking it up hopefully.Afrown pulls at my lips whenIsee that the only messages and callsI’vegotten are all fromBishop, wanting to make sureI’mokay sinceInever responded to him before.
Idon’t have the energy to rehash everything with him right now, soI’lltell him about it tomorrow or another day.Rightnow,Ijust want my mom.JustasI’mabout to curl up on the couch with her, there’s another knock on my door, andIglance at my mom to go get it.
I’mnot taking the chance that it’sWinnieagain.ButI’msurprised when my mother steps out of the way andCamdenwalks in, hands in his pockets as he looks down at the ground. “Mindif we talk for a minute?”
Inod, giving him some space on the couch and watch as he sits down with a rough breath. “Iwant to apologize for the wayI’vebeen acting.Itwas uncalled for, andI’mgoing to leave you alone now.”
“Isthat all?”Ibite out, trying my hardest to hold my tongue from lashing out at him.He’scosting me my friendship with his sister right now, the last thingIwant to do is talk to him.Theonly reasonIlet him inside is becauseIthought that’s what he was going to apologize over.
“Yeah,Georgia, that’s all.”
Isigh.Truthfully,Iappreciate him at least apologizing for that, soIstand from the couch and walk him to the front door with a soft smile on my face. “Thankyou for the apology, and for backing off.”
“Hereally makes you happy?”
WhenIthink about mine andBishop’smoments from last night, my smile brightens andInod. “Hereally does.”
Henods, then leans down and gives me a quick hug before pulling away and walking down the front porch.Imay have forgiven him for how he acted with me, but it’s not going to be so easy to forgive that he possibly lied toWinnieabout me.Mademe look like a terrible person.
Guessit’s time to have an actual conversation withWinnie, figure out what she thinks she knows soIcan shut it down as quickly as possible.EspeciallybeforeBishopfinds out this is happening.Idon’t want to lose him already.
Chapter24
Bishop
