Secondary Characters (10 page)
Read Secondary Characters Online
Authors: Rachel Schieffelbein
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Short Stories & Anthologies, #Short Stories, #Romance, #Contemporary, #Two Hours or More (65-100 Pages), #Contemporary Fiction, #Single Authors, #Teen & Young Adult
Stupid face.
“Sweet. Awesome day for a game.”
“I know, huh?” Justin drags his shoe in the some sand.
“Will I see you at the party tonight?”
“Hell, yeah!”
Maybe he didn’t forget? He knows we’re going to go to the party together. He must have gotten the times mixed up. Assumed he had time to play disc first.
“Sweet. I’ll see you there. Got to run, Jen’s done. We’ve got a great date night planned before the party and all … ”
No Justin, don’t do this.
I want to die.
“Oh shit, dude. I was supposed to pick up that Lucy chick for a date too.” Zach laughs.
Three skipped heart beats.
Zach forgot.
He forgot about me.
My nose begins to itch. Tears are inevitable. But I won’t cry in front of Justin. I focus on my cuticles, trying to hold off tears while Zach’s voice continues to boom from the phone. Justin finishes circling the bench, now standing next to me. So I can hear everything.
“Eh, she’ll understand. It’s a gorgeous day. I mean, who can remember a date when disc golf calls?”
“Well, good luck with that.” Justin taps my shoulder. I want to break his fingers.
“Right on, man.”
Beep
.
My eyes are thicker, probably now red and puffy. I take a deep breath, trying to hold off the emotional impact of the moment. Justin’s moved in front of me, waiting for my reaction. He’s so rude. I glare daggers into his green eyes. Hate him.
My phone finally vibrates.
Zach: hey sorry work’s crazy. Meet u at party L8R.
My gut twists inside out. Zach lied. He forgot about me and lied. Why did he ask me out if he didn’t like me? I grab my bag. I need to get away from Justin before I break down.
“Let me guess,” Justin says, “he lied?”
Prying ass.
A ruthless fire burns inside me, made especially for him.
“Can I ask you something?” I don’t wait for an answer. “Why are you so unbearably rude?”
“Listen,” he begins, “You deserved to know.”
“No. That wasn’t your place. Do you think you’re like a god or something? ‘You deserved to know
.
Total bull. Don’t I deserve to be treated with respect?” I pause for effect. His eyes widen and he opens his mouth to speak, but he doesn’t have a word to deliver. “Right. You dish out Hallmark wisdom but don’t follow it yourself. Don’t be a hypocrite.”
The tears are rolling down my cheeks but I don’t care anymore. Now I want him to see it. Staring into his green eyes, I search to see if he understands what he’s done. But his eyes are blank. Not even a hint of remorse. The pool gate jingles and Jennifer steps out. I quickly distance myself from the bench and start the walk of rejection back home.
I don’t look back. I never want to see Justin Marshall again.
END OF SAMPLE
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