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 ofGilmore 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.