Summer smiled and pulled me into a hug. “Nothing you should worry about, sugar. Come on, I’ve heard they’re serving ice cream in the canteen today.”
“But—”
“Shh. Let’s go.”
I was ignored and dragged into the canteen. If Claire had cried because of my friends, then… they were both evil geniuses. I shuddered, thanking my stars that I was their friend and not a foe.
I should let James know. Pulling out my phone, I sent him a quick text,
Me:Situation is under control. Everything’s okay. Can we talk?
I waited impatiently checking my phone and tapping my foot up and down. He read the message. I waited with bated breath when a typing bubble popped up.
James:It’s over. I’m sorry, Princess.
I quickly pressed the call button. I didn’t care if I was in the canteen and surrounded with other students. I wasn’t going to—
“Motherfucker.”
Summer and Emma dropped their fries and looked at me with wide eyes. “Did you just curse?” Summer asked, squinting at me. “Are you sure you are Mia?”
“He broke up with me,” I whispered, my vision getting blurry. “He said it’s over.”
Emma embraced me, shushing me and rubbing my back while Summer cursed him like a pirate while I cried between them like a bloody loser. I couldn’t even confess to him. Tell him thathewas the present my mom gave me.
I wished I could hold him again and talk to him.
* * *
A few weeks later
I sighed hearingthe same robotic response when I tried calling James for the umpteenth time. He wasn’t even replying to my emails and only helped me during the class when I had a question. Turning off my phone, I glared at my project sitting on my desk.
It wasn’t due for months, but I had made it in anger and heartbreak over James’ absence. He had asked us to create anything we wanted and I knew mine would be the simplest and the most un-creative project because I had made a house. A home. I had folded the thick paper until I had seen the walls of the house and kept folding and gluing other paper until it was done. A cozy little home with a chimney, a backyard with pool and a car in the garage. I had even painted it with acrylic color so it would look homier.
I gently pushed it away so I could bang my forehead on the desk. A long sigh escaped my lips as I wondered why James had to break up with me and why I left him that night at his penthouse. Would we be still together if I had stayed?
Checking the time, I stood up and made my way downstairs.
“Hey Dad, hi Carter,” I greeted the two men, smiling at the physical therapist who was visiting our house three days a week to help dad with his exercises. “How’s it going?”
“He is giving me hell.” Dad grunted, stretching his leg and slowly standing up. It brought a smile to my face. He could walk for a longer time, and his legs didn’t hurt even if he stood for a couple of hours, even though I scolded him about it. “As usual.”
“He’s doing much better. His hips are still a little rigid, but I don’t think he needs me anymore.” Carter titled his head and grinned at my dad, “Unless you want to pay to look at my charming looks and equally charming companionship.”
Dad grumbled something as Carter left, leaving me staring at our rug. I took a deep breath and said, “James told me about the accident, Dad.”
I heard him take a sharp intake of breath and peered at him when he took a seat in the armchair. “Is that the reason… you two?”
“Broke up? I don’t know.” I pursed my lips, sitting cross-legged on the couch and tucking my feet underneath me. “I think he blames himself for what happened. Then the next day, he broke up with me over a text and has been avoiding me ever since. I don’t know what to do, Dad.”
“Oh, Pumpkin.” I looked up at him and he was smiling sadly at me. “James never talks about his past to anyone, especially that accident. It took months just for him to open up to his therapist.”
“Then why does he hate me?” I asked, wrapping my hands around myself.
“He doesn’t hate you.”
“He’s avoiding me like I’m the black plague.”