Diamond
What’s worse than your cheating ex cornering you at a party and begging for your forgiveness? Easy. Your cheating ex cornering you at a party and then walking away with another girl.
I was convinced Finn couldn’t surprise me anymore. I thought, surely, the worst was behind me. Until he grabbed Remy’s arm halfway through the night and dragged her away. Oh, and did I mention he took her to Theo’s bedroom, of all places? I’m not an idiot. I know they weren’t playing Rock Paper Scissors in there.
I’ve just pulled into Aveena’s driveway when my phone chimes with a text. From Finn. He’s been blowing up my phone since I left Theo’s house yesterday. Scrolling up to his first message, I skim over his desperate pleas.
Finn:Are you still at Theo’s?
Finn:I need to see you.
Finn:Fuck, Dia, answer me.
Finn:Whatever you’re thinking happened with Remy, you’re wrong.
Finn:I can explain everything.
Finn:Please talk to me.
Then there’s his most recent text.
Finn:Please…
I should just block him, but a tiny part of me—okay, a big part of me—finds pleasure in his misery. Needless to say, I’m never going to answer his monologue, but I made sure to activate the “Read” receipts on my phone. I want him to know that I saw his messages.
I want him to know that I’m choosing to let him suffer.
I’m petty, in case it wasn’t obvious.
Squeezing my phone into my back pocket, I reach for the basket of mini muffins on my passenger seat. I didn’t sleep a wink last night. I couldn’t close my eyes without picturing the look on Aveena’s face when I set fire to our friendship.
I considered texting her, but I figured my apology would be more genuine in person. She was right to be mad. I’ve changed. And not in a good way.I got so caught up in trying to impress the wrong people that I wound up pushing away the one person who’s always been there for me. My oldest friend. The girl who held me for hours when I was crying about Finn.
Lacey turned on me the second I backed out of the mushroom plan. There lies the difference between Lacey and Aveena. Lacey judged me for my choices, while Aveena was worried about them.
My heart in my throat, I climb out of my car and make my way toward Aveena’s house. Her car isn’t in the lot. Hopefully, she’ll be back soon.I knock a few times to no avail, Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” blaring on the other side of the door.
They probably can’t hear me knocking. I ring the doorbell a few minutes later. Eventually, Mrs. Harper answers the door. Dressed in a black blazer and beige pencil skirt, she looks like a businesswoman on her way to a meeting.
“Diamond.” She greets me with a polite nod.
“Hi, Mrs. Harper. Is Aveena home?” I ask, even though I know the answer.
“Sorry, dear. She had to run a quick errand.” She checks her phone not even a minute into the conversation.No surprise there.I’ve never seen Mrs. Harper without her phone in her hand.
“Do you know when she’ll be back?”
She shrugs. “Any minute now.”
“Is it okay if I wait inside?”
“Sure.” She steps aside, letting me in. “I have to go back to Ashley’s dance lesson, but make yourself at home.”
With that said, she disappears up the stairs toward the dance studio above the kitchen—did I mention the Harpers are loaded? I plop down onto the entryway bench as soon as Mrs. Harper is gone. The sound of tires screeching against the driveway captures my attention a half hour later.
Aveena’s home.
I fidget with the hem of my cardigan, waiting for my best friend to walk in and dreading her reaction. She definitely saw my car parked out front. The question is, does she want to talk to me? She steps inside shortly after.