Marine Life

Story Of Us

"Do you really think my parents would go out for dinner alone? They go out with Blair's parents every Friday night," He explained. Honestly, I was a little jealous when I heard that. I wanted my parents to be close with Bryce's parents. But my parents hated his parents. 

My mom hated his British accent. She said she hates accents and she can't understand anything they said. But in reality, my mom had a Greek accent and no one was able to understand her either. My dad didn't like his parents because they didn't think golf was a true sport. And my dad loves golf. These seemed like stupid reasons to hate them, and they were. My parents just liked Nate. My mom still nags about how Nate was a lot better and more handsome. I told her to divorce dad and marry Nate if she loved him that much. 

"Oh, I see. Have you heard anything about Blair?" I asked him. 

"Not much. I just know she has a boyfriend," I felt a knife stab me in the guts. She always told me when she had a boyfriend or a crush; even when she was mad at me. Bryce saw how hurt I looked in my eyes. "I'm sorry," he kissed my head and held me tighter. 

"It's okay," I whispered. 

"Wanna watch a movie?" He asked me. 

"Yeah," We got up and went downstairs to his home theater. We ended up watching Toy Story. And half way through the movie, we heard the garage doors open along with laughter. 

"Seems like someone is in the basement," Bryce's mom, Carol, opened the door. And there was Bryce's father, Matt, and Blair's mom, Shannon, her dad, Alex, Blair, and Nate. 

Blair and Nate saw me and then looked at each other. 

"Oh hey guys," Matt walked into the room. "What are we watching here?"

"Why is Nate here?" I asked everyone. 

"Madeline? Is that you?" Shannon asked. "Oh I didn't know Bryce was your boyfriend."

"Nice to see you again Shannon," Bryce stood up from his seat leaving me alone. "You too, Alex," And gave Alex a firm handshake. 

"Is this Toy Story?" Shannon asked. 

"What is Nate doing here?" I asked again. 

Everyone ignored me. 

"Wow, I haven't watched this since Bryce was a little boy," Matt said. 

"Come on guys, let's watch too. Do you mind honey if we start the movie over?" Carol asked. 

"No not at all," Bryce said. 

"Mom, I think Nate and I are going to go home now. We're going to go pack," Blair said. 

"What are you doing here with Nate?!" I began raising my voice. 

"Oh you and Nate know each other?" Shannon asked. 

"Yes! He is my boyfriend!" I shouted.

"I thought... Bryce was," Carol was baffled like the rest of the room. 

"She meant ex- boyfriend," Nate corrected her as he reached for Blair's hand. "She's my girlfriend," He raised their intertwined hands up in the air. "Come on lets go, we need to finish packing if we want to leave early in the morning tomorrow."

They turned around, leaving without a goodbye. I got up from my seat and ran after them. 

"What the fuck happened?!" I shouted from a distance. 

They stopped walking and turned around. "You happened," Nate began to explain. "After you disappeared with Bryce, I knew that you picked him. And I went to the bar to get a drink and Blair was there. And at that moment, I didn't know who she was cause you never introduced me to her. And we just began talking and hit it off."

"How can you do this to me Blair?" I didn't understand why she wanted my sloppy seconds.

"Do what?" She said with a hint of bitchiness in her voice.

"Date him! He was mine!"

"Exactly, was! He was yours! You picked Bryce. What's the problem?!" She asked me. 

"Girl code!" I stomped my feet. 

"Girl code only says you can't steal your friend's boyfriend. I'm not stealing. He came to me."

"Ugh! Whatever! Keep my sloppy seconds!" 

<Just so you guys don't hate me. He came up to me and he didn't know who I was. I told him who I was. And he said, "well it's not like we're going to like each other, so who cares" and we just become really good friends and sort of fell for each other. No one picks the person they want to love... Anyways, he is still my boyfriend. And after Bryce's death, he decided to take part in the Marines.>

"Don't talk to her like that. At least she knows what she wants!" Nate spoke up. 

"She's not even worth it," Blair said grabbing his hand and dragging him away. 

I went back to the house to find everyone watching the movie. But Bryce wasn't there. I went upstairs to look for him and he was in his room.

"Hey," I walked in.

"Get out," He pointed to the door.

"What?"

"Get. Out!"

"Why?"

"Why?! Are you really asking me why!? Well let me ask you this, why do you care so much about Blair and Nate?! Hmm?" He questioned.

"I- I don't know," I said. 

"Yes you do Madeline. And tell me why!" 

"I don't know! Why are you so mad?!"

"Why am I mad? Because you ran to get Nate in front of my parents and Blair's parents! Do you know how embarrassing that is?! Oh my god! My girlfriend running after her best friend's boyfriend. Just leave. Please," He took a deep breath. 

"No," I shook my head.

"Maddie, I'm serious. Leave."

"No, I'm not going anywhere."

"Leave!" 

"No! I don't know when you are being deployed! And I'm not going to waste a second without you!"