Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 123 It's Who We Are

*Trisha*

I'm aware there are awful people in the world, I've had to deal with a few myself. Some people go to great lengths to make other's lives hell.  After glancing at the photo in James's mail, I realize he also has to deal with some pretty awful people as well.

"What is taking you so long?" Casey asks once her window is rolled down. Her and Evan have been patiently waiting for me to retrieve the mail, but they have been waiting a while now. All I keep thinking is, thank GOD it was me to grab James's mail and not one of his sisters.

"Coming." I say dryly, shoving the photo back into its envelope and heading to the SUV.

"You ok, Trisha?? You look like you've seen a ghost." Evan studies me, but I say nothing. It's not my place to show them this picture. I shouldn't have seen it or read the sentence underneath it either. This was Gallo's mail. Not mine.

"Yeah, let's head to the Avalon so I can give James his mail."

Poor James. Like he isn't having to deal with enough with this shit life he leads, now he has to worry about this on top of it all? Especially knowing he is under home confinement and unable to do anything about it? I should text Nate. He'll know what to do. Maybe he can help. 

Evan ignores my lack of response and, instead, turns on the radio. Of course, as always, one of Nate's songs is playing. I pull out my phone and text Nate, knowing he will text me right back. For the most part, he is pretty good with that.

But I get no response from him. Any other day, I would then text Paul and ask him what to do about something like this, but I've been avoiding him and not answering his calls. He's tried a few times to smooth things over with me, but this is brand-spanking-new, and I need some time to digest our breakup. Thinking Paul has been in love with Moretti for months leaves me feeling sour towards them both. I feel deceived. Like Paul wasn't really in it when it came to dating me. He seemed like he was at the time.... both times. Was he just messing with me? No. He watched over me and took care of me during some of my hardest seasons in life. Physically and emotionally cared for me. I can't ignore that. Casey is right. Maybe Paul just pushed Julia onto the backburner, knowing she was taken.

That would mean I was his second choice. Second best, and Julia came in first place. She's the winner. She always fucking is.

Then again. Everyone comes in second place to Nate for me,  so I can't really say anything because I would have done the same damn thing. If Nate ever did finally come around and want me... I would dump whoever I was with in a heartbeat for him. No doubt about it.

My mind wanders away while we drive and listen to Nate sing his heart out on the radio. I see Casey in the front knows the words by heart which reminds me how she was once a fan. I wonder if she still is even though she's seen all the ugly sides of Nate.

We pull up to the Avalon back entrance and I hold on to the mail tightly, dreading having to give this to James.

*****

*James*

"She passed out from the pain. I warned her it would hurt like hell without any medication." Paul wipes his forehead when he comes outside. He explains what happened to us all. Trisha, Evan, and Casey just showed up, and I can feel the tension between Paul and Trish.

"They don't have injectable numbing agents here like they would at normal hospital. We could have taken her in, but I think with the state Julia was in, they'd probably admit her to psych for observation. We've already been down that route." Jonah says with exhaustion. The poor guy had to stitch Julia's hand up while she was in the middle of a manic episode. I can't imagine what him and Paul had to endure, never mind Julia.