Chapter: 23
I guess betrayal and disappointment are feelings that can exist at the same time, depending on the person.
When someone you care deeply about betrays you, disappointment comes first. You can't believe they would do that. And then comes anger, because you never expected that kind of behavior from them in the first place.
But somewhere inside all that pain, I think there is still a place for forgiveness. Not because everything is okay, but because there is no real hate, only a deep disappointment.
Trust, though… that takes time to rebuild.
After running after Lily, we ended up on the school rooftop.
She suddenly turned to me and said with sadness in her eyes,
"He was a good guy… with a big heart. I swear."
I didn't say anything. It felt like she needed to talk, so I quietly guided her to our usual sitting spot.
And then she told me everything.
Everything that happened between her and Beau.
As she spoke, I couldn't believe she was describing the same Beau I knew now.
When she finished, she lowered her head and said quietly,
"He left me all alone. And me, like an idiot, I still kept the cat keychain he gave me… even though I'm sure he threw away the dolphin one I gave him."
"No, you're not an idiot," I said gently. "You just missed your friend. That's normal. I would've kept mine too."
I smiled softly.
"Maybe that's why we became friends. We're the same."
I pulled her into a tight hug, hoping to lighten the heaviness in her heart.
After school, I made sure Lily went home safely before heading back myself.
While walking, I suddenly felt someone grab my arm.
When I turned around—
Yep.
Beau.
"Please," he said quickly. "Can I talk to you?"
I looked at him.
Then I looked at my arm.
Then back at him.
"Can you please let go of my hand first?" I said with a polite but slightly sassy smile.
He immediately released me and raised his hands.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to grab you like that."
Then he pointed toward a nearby park.
"Can we talk over there? It'll only take a minute."
I agreed, mostly because I was supposed to meet Jack there in five minutes anyway.
But something about Beau felt… different.
The way he spoke.
The way he carried himself.
This wasn't the same careless guy I caught two-timing before.
He looked serious.
Sincere.
And now that I knew a little bit about his past with Lily…
Well.
You know you're curious too.
He cleared his throat.
"It's really hot today, don't you think?"
He loosened his tie dramatically, like he was posing for some hot-guy magazine ad.
I stared at him.
Okay.
Now I see why girls go crazy over you.
But please get to the point.
Finally, he continued.
"I don't really know how to start. I know you're friends with Lily… and I was wondering if she ever talks about me."
Now listen.
I'm a girl, girls.
So I said casually,
"About you? Hmm… let me think. I don't think so. Why?"
He sighed.
"Well… It's nothing. You probably won't believe me, but Lily and I used to be really close. And I ruined everything for something that was never going to last."
He looked down at the ground.
"I know it's probably too late, but I want to apologize to her. She won't even look at me."
I honestly didn't know what to say.
He looked so sad it almost shocked me.
But also…
Why was I suddenly in the middle of all this?
"Honestly," I said, "I don't want to be in the middle of this."
"So I can't promise I'll help you."
I crossed my arms thoughtfully.
"But if you suddenly show up after all this time just to apologize… You should ask yourself something."
"What if you were in her position?"
"Would you really want to hear someone out that easily?"
I shrugged.
"Then again, what do I know about relationships? I'm still learning."
I smiled a little.
"But one thing I just learned recently is that sometimes you have to do embarrassing and unusual things if you want people to understand you're serious and share your feelings around."
I stood up.
Completely sincere.
Beau laughed softly and stood beside me.
"You really are an odd one."
Then his expression became serious again.
"It's selfish of me to come back now. My so-called friends rejected me because I refused to stay with Luna. They were only interested in her family's money."
He shook his head.
"The poor girl was being used."
Then he looked at me.
"At least tell Lily that."
Before I could react—
He just left.