Chapter 27
“Today could have been better,” I tell Elijah when he arrives at my house. Knowing Jayson had to pick up Liz from work, I texted Elijah and told him to come over at six instead of seven. I wanted some alone time with him before everyone showed up.
We’re in my room, the one Jay and I share.
Jay and I told Mom what happened to Liz today and what we were planning to do for her tonight to help cheer her up.
Mom said she would make homemade pizza for us and Liz’s favorite oatmeal cookies she makes with almond milk and plant-based butter, since Liz is allergic to dairy. Our mom is the best.
Elijah wraps me in a tight hug. “Unfortunately, everyone at Highland saw the video, too. I’m so sorry. Liz didn’t deserve what Maria said to her, and she definitely didn’t deserve to have it aired publicly like it was.” He leans back and grabs my face to kiss me.
“That’s not the worst of it. Ryder tried to talk to Maria. Maria says she’s always hated Liz and was only her friend so she could get access to Ryder.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
I sadly shake my head no. “Wish I was.”
“It’s amazing what jealousy does to people. Take us, for example.”
I sit back on my bed and give him a quizzical look. “What about us?”
Elijah laughs and sits back next to me. “Sorry, I’m not explaining it well. What I’m trying to say is that Maria’s jealousy of Liz is making her lash out. But that’s completely on her and it’s wrong for her to do it. I could be jealous of Liz.
“Why would you be jealous of Liz?”
“Because you love her.”
“Well, of course I love her. I always have. What does that have to do with us?”
“You’re bi, I’m not,” he explains. “I love you and I know you love me back. But you also love Liz. Do I worry that one day you’ll decide to act on that love for Liz and leave me to be with her?
No, I don’t. Because we trust each other.
I care about Liz, too. She’s a good person, and the way she loves you just makes me like her even more. Does that make sense?
“A little, I guess.” I reach for his hand.
“I could let my insecurities and jealousy control me, but I don’t.
I trust what we have together. I trust you.
Maria can’t do that with Ryder. She’s been swimming in her own pit of jealousy for so long, it taints everything in her life.
She’ll realize one day that Liz was a true friend to her, and that her incorrect assumptions lost her a true friend.
I think about what he’s saying. Yes, I’m bisexual, and yes, if I wanted to have a relationship right now with a girl, I would definitely want it to be with Liz.
Like Ryder, I loved Liz enough to step aside and allow her to find happiness with Jayson.
However, I’m lucky to have found Elijah and am even luckier that he loves me.
I’m happy. My life is good. I have so much to look forward to.
“Let’s go down and help Mom with the pizzas. Everybody should be getting here soon.” I stop at my doorway. “Thanks E, for listening and for understanding.”
“Always.”
“That was the most godawful bestest movie I have ever seen.” I am laughing so hard, tears are streaming down my cheeks. We’re all a mess, clutching our bellies and falling over each other on the sofa and floor.
Brea, like me, is wiping tears off her face. “Whose idea was it again to watch VelociPastor?” Jayson raises his hand. “You’re the best, Jayson!”
Jayson is next to me on the sofa and pulls me to him, kissing my temple. I lay my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat. So strong.
After the horrible day at school, I was surprised and very appreciative when Jayson brought me to his house after he picked me up from the library, and I saw all my favorite people waiting for us in the living room.
It got even better when Freda gave me a “mom” hug and handed me a plate full of her homemade oatmeal cookies
I look around me at each and every laughing face and feel so blessed. This is what friendship should be. This is family. I think about Maria and my heart stings like tiny little paper cuts. Maria should be here enjoying this with us. I sigh against Jayson’s chest.
“You okay, babe?”
“I will be,” I promise. “Just wishing things were different.”
“I know, sweetheart. I wish they were, too.”
“Who wants more pizza?” Freda calls from the kitchen.
You would think that after we devoured the four large ones she already made and two dozen cookies, we would be full. But of course, Ryder, Julien, Hailey, and Elijah all cheer as a meat lover’s is placed on the coffee table before them.
“Thanks, Mom,” Julien tells her.
“You know, we should do this more often,” Brea says, munching on a cookie.
“I mean, I know you guys have your breakfast thing every morning now that we aren’t invited to,” —she sticks her tongue out at Ryder— “and you guys will be off to college after next year leaving me and Hailey here to fend for ourselves. It would be nice to do stuff like this together before you guys leave to become adults and all.”
“I second that,” Hailey agrees.
“I don’t see why not. Maybe a once-a-month thing since we’re all so busy,” Ryder suggests as he takes a slice of pizza and blows on it to cool it down, the gooey mozzarella creating strings that stretch from the pan to his hand.
Julien rolls over on the floor to his stomach. “I got one for you guys. It’s called this or that. You have to pick your favorite from a choice of two things. Like beach or mountains?”
“Mountains,” Ryder, Elijah, and Brea say.
“Beach,” from me and Hailey.
“Black sand beach.” Jayson smirks down at me, wiggling his eyebrows, and I giggle. Jayson told me that was one of the places on our Hawaii bucket list when we go this summer where he wants to have sex.
“Are we missing something?” Brea asks.
“I am a vault,” is Jayson’s remark.
“My turn,” Hailey says. “This one’s for the boys. Boxers or briefs?”
“Boxers,” Elijah and Ryder say.
“He’s definitely a briefs man,” I tell everyone, poking Jayson in his side.
“Okay, smart-mouth,” Jayson replies. “Thong or underwear?” he asks, challenging me to answer truthfully in front of everyone.
The girls all say “underwear.”
“Neither,” is my answer.
“You have to choose, Liz. Which is it?” Julien says.
“Neither.”
The girls burst out laughing when the meaning of my answer finally clicks. Jayson stands up and tosses me over his shoulder.
“Not this again! Jayson, put me down!”
He heads for the stairs. “Be right back, guys. I have to see if she’s telling the truth.”
I kick and wiggle as Jayson lugs me up the stairs. Pushing up from his back, I plead, “Someone please help me!” Hailey and Brea grin and wave. “Traitors!”
“You have nine minutes!” Julien shouts, and I see him press the timer on his watch and laugh.