Page 31 of Perfect Tragedy
Once Jack drives down the gravel drive and parks, we all pile out of the car. Jack points off in the distance, “Come on, this is a treehouse conversation.”
With my heart in my throat, I follow them to what’s been our special place. Over the years, we’ve had what we’ve dubbed some very serious conversations. They’ve ranged from debates over what video game is best and why, who the best football player really is in school, and which is betterMarvelorDC.A particularly lively one was whether or not ice cream should be eaten with cake or not. My vote was no, makes cake soggy which is totally gross.
More serious conversations included things like Jack confessing his first crush, even his most recent - Amelia. It’s where I confessed that I stole a lipgloss from a local store in town because mom wouldn’t buy it for me and I was angry. The most serious thing though was when Blake once told us how much he misses his dad. He left the family and no one has heard from him since. Blake confessed he often wonders where he is, what he’s doing, and if he ever thinks about them.
It’s always been “our” place and I know if they’re taking me there to talk it’s because it’s important. Not something as simple as “Let’s celebrate because we’re going to Montana U.”
When Blake told me at prom that he’d like time to talk to me this week, I assumed it was just going to be the two of us. Clearly, as I trail the two of them I realize that’s not the case, and I can’t help but feel frustrated. This is clearly something they planned, and it definitely makes sense that Jack wants to be part of what they’re telling me since clearly it’s something they’re doing together, but I selfishly want alone time with Blake - since prom it’s all I can think about.
Various scenarios have run through my mind ranging from one extreme to another. I imagined finally being alone with him and demanding to know why he said what he did to me about looking and being beautiful. I want to ask him why he seemed jealous and possessive at the dance. I even had fantasies about simply walking up to him and putting my mouth on his. Thoughts that make my breaths come fast and heat wash over me in streams. It made me wonder what it would be like to kissed by Blake. Would he grasp my chin with his slender flingers and kiss me soft and slow? Or would he press his body against mine, grasp my hair in a handful and kiss me with fiery passion and heat?
I almost laugh out loud thinking about it now because there’s no chance in hell of any of that happening. Since the dance, Blake has been back to business as usual. It’s like that night was just a dream.
“Alright, what’s the big deal? Why the treehouse?” I ask looking at them both in confusion, but also a touch of mirth hints in the curve of my lips at the dramatic nature of this.
“No questions,” Jack says as we reach the large sycamore on our property and jerks his thumb at the ladder. “Just climb.”
Rolling my eyes, I sigh but I saunter past them both and climb up, eager to get this underway and find out the big news.
Once I’m up, I take a seat on the floor leaning my back against the wall and cross my legs at the ankle waiting for them to get settled. They sit as well, across from me, then look back and forth between each other.
Raising my brows, I finally ask, “What is the big deal? You guys are acting weird. Just spit it out, I already know you’re leaving Mason Creek to go to college. It’s obvious. Just tell me where you’re going already and why it’s been such a secret.”
“That’s not exactly true,” Jack hedges.
“What? That you’re going out of town or that you’re acting weird?” Blake watches me carefully while I look between the two of them.
“It’s not true that we’re leaving town for college.”
“Really?” I ask and that one word is full of hope and happiness. I can’t stop a smile from spreading across my mouth, but it drops when I see they aren’t smiling too.
“Look, Sienna, the truth is-”
Blake cuts Jack off, “We asked your parents if we could tell you. Alone. They weren’t sure, at first but we told them it’s how you’d want it to be.”
“Okay…”
Jack scratches his brow, “We told them we wanted to wait until everything was all worked out before we told you our decision.”
“It isn’t going to be easy for us to leave you,” Blake says and he runs his hands through his hair like he always does when he’s frustrated or nervous. The gesture raises my unease a notch and emotion clogs my throat.
“We’ll miss each other, I know,” I reply. “It will be really weird. I mean, it’s been the three of us… for so long. I can’t imagine being left here-” Suddenly my throat clogs up and it cuts off my words making me feel embarrassed. I clear my throat and blink several times trying to push back the burn behind my eyes.
They look at each other with alarm. If I had it in me, I’d laugh. What is it with the male species?
“Look guys, will you stop? I’ll be fine. I have Vanessa, remember? Yeah, the three of us used to call ourselves the three musketeers - really original by the way - but the truth is, it’s been a long time since it’s been that way. As we grew up and our interests changed, we kind of went our separate ways with some things. I haven’t hung out with you constantly or followed you around since we were kids you know,” I smile with fondness.
“We know, but that doesn’t matter. We’ve always beenhere. Had your back when you did, and probably when you didn’t, know it. You mean everything to us,” Blake says hoarsely and the emotion churning in his eyes takes me off guard.
“No matter what we’ll always be there for you,” Jack adds. “Just like we always have been.”
“You guys are seriously making this into a melodrama like that one movie channel mom watches.”
“Sienna-” Blake begins but then Jack blurts, “We enlisted in the Army,” before Blake finishes whatever he was going to say.
They both freeze.
I freeze.
