Page 94 of Going the Distance
It just hurt so much because he’d been the first guy I’d fallen in love with. That was all. Right? In a few more months, I’d look back and laugh at how stupid I’d been about this whole thing. And it was so hard because he was going to be a part of my life whether we were together or not.
I turned the car on again, this time not stalling, and an Imagine Dragons song was on the radio. Then I made my way home.
• • •
When I got home, I called my dad.
“Is everything okay, bud? Where are you? Lee said you went to hang out with Levi.”
“Yeah, I did. I’m home now.”
“Aren’t you coming back here?”
“I’ve got really bad cramps, Dad. I’m just gonna head to bed.”
“Oh. Um, okay. If you’re sure. Do you want us to come home?”
“No, no, you guys stay there. I’m fine.”
In a lower tone, my dad asked, “This doesn’t have anything to do with You-Know-Who, right?”
“No, Dad, Voldemort has nothing to do with this.”
“Oh, ha-ha, very funny.” I could practically hear him rolling his eyes at me down the line. “You know what I mean. I know it must’ve been hard for you today, seeing them together, but—”
“It’s just cramps, Dad.”
“If you say so. Well, we won’t get home too late if you’re not feeling well.”
“Okay,” I said, because there was no point arguing. “I’ll see you later. Can you say bye to everyone for me, and sorry I had to leave?”
“Of course. They’ll understand.”
I hung up, and within ten minutes I had a text from Lee.
Liar. I know you had your period last week.
Then another:Noah looks pissed. Did he talk to you?
He said he wanted to say sorry to you because he knew you left cos of him. What did you say to him?
And:SHELLY STOP IGNORING ME.
Okay. I hope you “feel better” soon. When you do, text me back and tell me what happened.
Love ya, even if you are ignoring me.
When the texts stopped coming through, I put my cell phone to one side and ran my hands through my hair. I could really have done with a reset button for today.
I took my time taking off my makeup and getting changed for bed. I had a raging headache from overthinking everything, so took some Advil and climbed into bed. I’d just pulled the comforter over my head when I heard my dad’s car pull up outside.
A couple minutes later, there was a knock on my door.
“Elle? Can I come in?”
“Yeah.”
I sat up as my dad came in, calling over his shoulder to Brad to take a shower before bed. Then, to me, he said, “How’re you feeling?”
