I stare at his message for a minute.
My heart drops. Does he know? Did Travis tell him? I would deny it until the day I died.
Viola: What’s your problem?
Drew: What the hell happened to you last night? Did you fall and get a concussion that would cause you to bring a random dude back to the house?! I’m just glad Travis was there to protect you.
I roll my eyes, knowing he doesn’t even know the half of it.
Viola: I’m grown, Drew. You can’t protect me from the penis forever.
If he only knew what was really happening while he was away. It just confirms that he must never find out. I’d feel horrible if their friendship of over ten years was jeopardized because of me.
Drew: We’ll see about that. Excited to see you guys Friday! No more company in the house, you hear?
Viola: Does that go for your slutty roommate, too?
I have to remember to act the same as I normally do, or he’ll suspect something.
Drew: I don’t have control over that one, sorry.
Viola: So, how’s the Future Mrs. Fisher doing?
I tease him because I know Mia’s been pushy about it, and Drew isn’t ready for that yet.
Drew: That’s not even remotely funny.
I chuckle to myself, not even feeling bad after all the shit he’s given me.
Viola: So, I guess not so good?
Drew: Things are fine.
I drop the conversation and lay my head back on the couch. I take a deep breath and before I can even exhale, my phone dings again.
This time it’s Travis.
He thinks he’s funny and that he’s going to win this little battle we have going on, whatever the hell it is. Either way, I’m not claiming defeat, no matter what he does or says.
Flashbacks to my thirteenth birthday come surfacing and the memories of how Travis’s gift changed everything.
Spending alone time with Mom and Dad was becoming a rare occasion with everyone’s busy schedules, but for my birthday, we all went out to a movie and stopped for a late lunch afterward. My mom had even taken me shopping the day before to get some new clothes, so when we arrived back home, I headed up to my room to try them all on again.
I didn’t really have any girlfriends to hang with, but I actually didn’t mind that much. I had my books and knowing Travis was across the street was reassuring.
As I began digging around in my shopping bags, I noticed something peeking out from under my pillow. I grabbed it and saw my name written on the top of the small box. It was in Travis’s handwriting, and a wide smile spread across my face. I couldn’t believe he got me a gift.
As I peeled the box open, my eyes widened in shock. It was a heart-shaped locket with my initials engraved on the front: VF.
I took it out of the box and clasped it around my neck. It fit perfectly, and I was so excited for him to see me wearing it. I’d never owned a locket before and getting this one from Travis made it absolutely special.
Once I was finished putting my new clothes away, I tucked the locket inside my shirt and headed back downstairs. Mom was making me my favorite dish for dinner, and I couldn’t wait to see Travis and thank him. He’d be coming for dinner like he did every Saturday.
After a couple reruns of Gilmore Girls, I heard the front door open, and I knew it had to be him. Drew had jumped off the sofa before I could, so I sat and waited for a private moment alone with him. I didn’t want to say anything in front of my brother because I knew he’d say something snotty like he always did. Drew didn’t like me hanging around him when he was with friends, but Travis never minded.
I walked to the kitchen to see if Mom needed any help setting the table, and just as I went to walk into the dining room, I overheard Drew and Travis talking.
“She has no friends. She’s a loner. I feel sorry for her…” It took me a moment to realize those were Travis’s words.
“That doesn’t mean you have to be her pity friend. She’s thirteen; it’s time she grows up and realizes she’s a dork.”
“Well, she’s always around. What am I supposed to do?”
“Just ignore her like I do.” He laughed, and Travis laughed with him.
“I guess being your friend comes with consequences.” He chuckled again.
I couldn’t believe what I had heard. Travis never talked to me like that, and he gave me no reason to believe I was annoying to be around. Sure, he was a couple of years older than me, but all those moments on the rooftop, hadn’t they meant something to him like they had for me?
“Nah, don’t pity her. She’s the one that chooses to be a dorkzilla. Plus, hanging out with a girl like Viola will bore you to death.”
“Dude, I don’t hang out with her. She follows me around like a lost puppy.” His words stung, shooting a dagger right through my heart.
I’d heard enough. I turned and walked the other way, ripping the necklace from my neck and tossing it into the trash on my way out of the kitchen.
For my thirteenth birthday, I’d learned a harsh lesson.
Travis King was the worst kind of asshole, and I’d never forgive him.
He broke my heart that day. I never did confront the jerk for what he said. He didn’t deserve a chance to explain. A couple of weeks later, school started back up, and I didn’t have to see him as much. It helped with the heartbreak, my young heart healing from the only pain it’d ever felt before.
Too bad it didn’t last.
The following year, I went into high school and had to watch my friends hang out with him. He loved it, of course. He always found a way to make my life hell, so I gave it right back. I wouldn’t allow myself to be around him for very long. I may come off as a book-loving nerd, but I’m no one’s pity friend.
Although he never found out that I had heard him that day, the reminder was always there. He’d ignored me, dated my friends, and had acted like a total showoff. He’d taunt me about my good grades and proper manners. I didn’t need to pretend to be someone I wasn’t just to get his approval. I wouldn’t allow myself to fall for his charm like the rest of the school seemed to.
I decide I can’t let myself dwell on him any longer. I shower and barely have time to wrap the towel around my body before the doorbell rings. The annoying ding-dong is followed by knocks on the door. What the hell? I walk through the house leaving puddles with each step. When I move, I can feel the places Travis has been, but it’s not something I’ll ever admit. He would just rub it in my face and say I told you so, and I can’t have that. I may have given him my body, but I refuse to give him my heart. That’ll never happen.
I look through the peephole and see Courtney standing outside with a huge purse plopped over her shoulder. I open the door, practically naked and in complete shock when I see it’s really her.
“Viola!” she squeals, wrapping her arms around me. “Surprise!” She releases me and smiles wide.
“What are you doing home already? I thought you weren’t getting in until tomorrow?”