Purpose ❆ Benny Rodriguez

26 | peace

02/21/2016

chapter twenty-six ;
PEACE

♡

IVY'S FINGERS COMBED through my curls, while my head rested in her lap. She smelled wonderful, and her fingers worked wonders. And not in a dirty way. Not that I knew.

　"He didn't even care," I grumbled. "I mean, it's not like I was trying to make him jealous in the first place, but I just . . ." I sighed. Ivy ran her hand through my hair for me. "He just waved."

　"That asshole."

　A small smile twisted on my mouth, only to quickly disappear. "I guess it really is over. I should've known it would be. But I was stupid."

　Ivy's hands paused on my head. "Love makes you stupid. That's the truth, and it goes for everyone. Including him. 'Cause he's dumb as shit right now."

　I couldn't help but to laugh. "Yeah. Still, I've learned to numb myself to my feelings, so I'd never have to get my heart broken again, and it worked, but I thought I didn't need to do that with Benny. I thought I knew him. I thought he'd never turn into this person, because that's just how good he was."

　"Anyone can change. Anyone, no matter how well you think you know them, has a side that you don't know about. A side probably they don't even know about. I don't trust anyone fully, because I know that even the person I trusted most in the world could always turn their back on me. Like my dad."

　Ivy's fingers had started again on my hair, but I turned to look up at her. Her hair was pulled into a perfect bun, save for a couple of stray strands that framed her face. She wore no makeup, and her natural beauty was astounding.

　"You're wise for a sixteen-year-old," I noted.

　She shrugged. "I've learned a lot through the years. Anyway, what about that Phillips boy? He seems to be getting close to you these days."

　"He just watches The Walking Dead with me."

　One of Ivy's perfect eyebrows cocked. "So you're telling me that's the only thing you do? You've never even shared a little kiss?"

　My mouth dropped. "No!"

　Ivy grinned, staring down at me. "Come on, I won't tell. Listen – if I tell you something, you have to tell me the truth about you and Phillips. Okay?"

　I opened my mouth to protest, but then quickly closed it, deciding to take advantage of this. "All right. Fine."

　The other girl was smirking now. "Me and Bertram kissed."

　Without meaning to, I gasped, and clapped my hand over my mouth, eyes wide. "What?" I shrieked. "Really? When? Where? Who kissed who?"

　Ivy laughed. "We both kind of did it at the same time. It was actually on Valentine's Day. We went to the movies, and . . . I guess it just happened. Doesn't mean we're together, though."

　Now I frowned. "Why not? Don't you like him?"

　"Sure. He's fun to be around, but I'm not really sure that I like him romantically. Know what I mean?"