Finding You

Chapter 35 - Critical

Jay stands at my window, looking out onto the street. His entire form is rigid as he clenches and unclenches his fist. "Why didn't you tell us yesterday?" he asks.

I can see why he would be angry. They just spent the last half hour trying to calm me down so I could actually tell them what happened. Not to mention, I practically ruined his shirt with tear stains. I mean, it's been twenty minutes since I stopped crying, and the thing's still wet.

Just by looking at him though, I'm pretty sure I'm not the one he's mad at.

"I couldn't," I reply, grabbing another tissue. "I was too embarrassed, and you know, shocked. I don't know why though. I mean, how stupid could I possibly be? A guy like him would never actually be interested in me anyway," I finish, drawing my knees up to my chest.

"That's not true," Zack says. "You're not stupid. He tricked all of us, not just you. Besides, maybe he really does care about you. Maybe he just made a mistake."

I shake my head. "Come on, you really believe that?" I ask.

"Look Mia, I'm not saying that I know what the guy is thinking," Zack says. "All I'm saying is that he seemed genuine. Maybe you should talk to him. Give him a chance to convince you," he suggests, setting a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"No," Jay interjects, turning to face us with his arms crossed over his chest.

"What do you mean no?" Zack asks.

"I mean no. She shouldn't give him another chance," he says, walking over to us and taking a seat on my other side. "He had a shot, and he screwed it up from the very beginning. He was lying to her and to all of us. She can't trust him," he finishes.

"So you think he was lying the whole time?" I ask. "You think he doesn't care about me, and he never did?" Even as the words leave my mouth, I taste bile in the back of my throat.

"No Mia, I'm not saying that at all. I'm sure he does care about you," Jay replies, "but do you really want to be with a guy who could lie to you so easily?"

Oh God, he's right. It was so easy for him. Why was it so easy for him?

"Dude, you don't know that it was easy for him," Zack interjects. "And he made her happy. She hasn't been that happy since we were little."

"You think I don't know that?" Jay replies harshly. "But I know guys like him, and she should just stay away. What? Do you want her to get hurt again?"

"Of course not," Zack answers.

My head starts to spin, a wave of nausea hitting me as they continue.

"Well, that's what's going to happen if she goes anywhere near him right now," Jay argues. "He'll convince her to forgive him, and then he'll break her heart. It's what guys like that do."

"But what if - " Zack begins.

"Guys..," I say, interrupting them. Placing a hand over my mouth, I quickly run to my bathroom, lean over the toilet, and immediately begin emptying the contents of my stomach. Not that there's much to empty. I haven't really eaten anything since yesterday...

I'd been feeling sick ever since I found out about everything yesterday. I guess listening to them talk about my relationship like that, or at least what I thought was a relationship, was all it took to push me over the edge.

"Crap, Mia..," I hear Zack say before placing a steadying hand on my back.

I retch for a few more seconds, then lean my head on my arms, trying to get ahold of myself and breathing heavily.

"You see? This is all his fault. He did this," Jay tell Zack. "And if I have anything to say about it, he's not going to have a chance to do it again."

The words are barely out of his mouth before the doorbell rings.