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Jake Larson is, no doubt, punishing me. I’ve not heard from him for another week, and we’re supposed to be going back to the States next week. From what I’m hearing, Jake’s been preoccupied. He’s been experimenting with drugs, missing workouts, late to games, and he hasn’t been hanging out with his friends. I’m out to lunch with Hunter and Brock when they tell me what’s going on.
“We haven’t seen him in a week, Leia. The last time we saw him was the game against the Bratislava Jetsetters, and we lost.” Hunter hasn’t spoken to me the entire time during lunch, while Brock seems to be more concerned for his friend. “The Thursday before, we sort of went to a nightclub and got fucked up. It was only supposed to be for one night, but...Larson looked pretty out of it.” It breaks my heart to hear this. He’s going off the deep end. Two weeks since we’ve spoken or even seen each other.
“So I’m confused. Why is everyone just now telling me this?” Hunter scoffs and rolls his eyes. “Do you have something to say, Hunter?”
“You’re making this about you. Jake’s been a fucking dick and treating us like shit. ButGod forbid, we don’t inform Princess Leia about the downfall of her beloved Jake Larson.” What a fucking asshole.
“Hunter, take a break from being a dick, will ya? She didn’t do anything to us.” The tears building in my eyes can’t be stopped. This trip has been an emotional rollercoaster, and I’m over it. “Moving on, though...we’re really worried about him.”
“Not me. I don’t give a shit about him,” Hunter grunts before taking a swig of beer. At this point, it’s best to ignore him. Brock clearly has the same idea and continues on.
“What’s up your ass, dude? You’re still pissy about them kissing?”
I flinch at that. “Who kissed?” Brock pauses before giving me a wide-eyed stare. Hunter has an annoyed smile on his face as he shakes his head. “What’s going on?”
Brock sighs before sitting back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Taya and Jake kissed, and Hunter’s been acting like a hard-ass about it.”
“I’m acting like a hard-ass. I just don’t enjoy my best friend kissing my girlfriend.”
The rest of their conversation is drowned out. All I heard was ‘Taya and Jake kissed,’ and there’s not much I care about outside of that statement. My heart drops to my stomach. My best friend and my boyfriendkissed. And no one told me about it. What else could they have possibly done? I don’t know because the conversation was interrupted. I’m over it to the point where I’m just ready to leave.
“Where are you going?” Brock sounds concerned as he stands up. I can’t do this right now. I hate that I was dragged on this trip, and now I’m being treated like an uninvited guest.
“I don’t have the mental capacity to deal with this. Thanks for telling me, but you guys are on your own with this one.” I’m turning to leave when Hunter’s voice stops me.
“See! That’s the problem! That’s why Jake wants nothing to do with you right now.” I turn to look at him. “You run away when things get tough.”
I cock an eyebrow. “No,heruns away when things get tough. It’s not my job to coddle a guy because he can’t communicate his feelings.” He rolls his eyes at me again. “Do you have a problem with me, Hunter?”
“My best friend is hurting, andyou’rethe reason for it. But instead of giving him a chance and checking on him, you’re ready to check out and give up on himcompletely.”
I would be mad. Ishouldbe mad. But he’s not wrong. Jake Larson is hurting, and I didn’t even bother to check on him. Instead, I made it about me.
“You’re right, Hunter. But maybe that’s all I can handle right now.”
He gives me a look of confusion and disappointment. I can’t give him more than that, because I’m already over it. If Jake Larson can’t communicate with me, then there’s nothing I can do.
The bar’s incredibly busy right now. Why am I here again?Your friends think you’ve been a recluse and wanted you out of the room. Right, my friends peer-pressured me into drinking with them. I really don’t want to be doing this right now; I’m not in my right mind. This trip is almost to an end, and it might be a pretty shitty end.
“Leia, drink something. You’ve been pensive the entire day, love.”
Sarah is probably the only friend I have right now. I’m glad to be hanging out with her tonight, but I have absolutely nothing to say to Taya. She’s been trying to be nice to me, but I’m not here for it.
“I’m really okay, Sarah. I just wanted to hang out with my girls today,” I lie. She gives me a reassuring smile.
“You really need to drinksomething. You look pathetic right now, love.”
Ilook pathetic? I can’t stop the laugh that comes out. “Almost as pathetic as you look?”
Her gaze shoots to mine as Sarah’s eyes widen. “Excuse me?” She looks confused. “What the hell is your problem?”
“You tell me, Taya. Since when did you kiss your friends’ boyfriends?” She visibly flinches as her face pales. Sarah has a look of confusion as she looks at Taya. “You’re supposed to be my best friend,” I whisper.
She rolls her eyes. “You’re so dramatic, Leia. It was akiss. We didn’t have sex. I was drunk, he was there, and I took advantage. Big fucking whoop.” She doesn’t get it. I don’t think she ever will. “Give me a break! My boyfriend cheated on me, and hurting him seemed like the right thing to do at the time.”
“And you risk hurtingmein the process?” I don’t even know who she is anymore. It’s like I’m looking at a ghost of who she once was. “How would you feel if I walked up to the guy you were seeing and kissed him?”
“I would cheer you on! We’re incollege, Leia. Youhaveto get a grip and get over yourself. Most college relationships don’t last.”
