Page 21 of Another Love, Another Time
Auggie: I’ve been looking for you everywhere.
Auggie: No one saw you leave the water.
Auggie: River can you just let me know you’re okay?
Auggie: I had to take Amber up to the house to get her foot looked at.
Auggie: I should have told you where I was going.
Auggie: Ok, where r u? I just talked to your mom, and she told me you were taking a nap?
Auggie: I’ll go room by room River.
Auggie: Are you mad at me because I left you?
Auggie: I had to. Her foot was cut.
Auggie: Come on. Don’t be mad, please.
Auggie: I’ll find you. Just tell me where you are and I’ll come to you.
Auggie: I’m feeling tired too.
Auggie: I know you’re mad at me. I told you I wouldn’t leave your side and not even five minutes later, I leave your side. Please forgive me.
Auggie: I guess I’ll just talk to you when you come out of hiding.
I walk over to the window in the room. It’s darker outside than it was earlier. It’s facing the beach, where I can still see the bonfire going. The kids and the parents surrounding it are trying to stay warm. It looks like it may have cooled off outside, judging by everyone’s attire.
I'd better put on a hoodie before I head outside. Before I turn away, I spot Auggie talking to a few guys on his team. I can’t tell if he’s having a good time or not. I want him to have fun, just not with other girls. Fortunately, it doesn’t look like very many of them are left. I see Uncle Chris bring out several boxes of pizza. I'd better head down before it’s all gone. It’s time to face the music.
~~
I go to grab a plate for my pizza when I’m spun around and dragged to the side of the house. I know who it is before I see his face. There is only one person who would drag me away like this.
I look up and see Auggie’s sad eyes. My hand is still in his. “River, are you still mad at me? I promise I was coming right back to you, but she wanted me to hold her hand while her mom bandaged her up.”
I roll my eyes. Of course, she did, and Auggie, always a knight in shining armor, played right into it. I would let it go, but I’m still hurt from earlier. If I don’t get it out, then it’s just going to fester.
I respond, “Why would I be mad, Auggie? You were just helping someone out, right? A girl who had just been talking crap about me just minutes before. Were you the only person who could have taken her up there? No, your first instinct was to leave me. I couldn’t see from all the splashing, and when that finally died down, the first person I looked for was you. You were nowhere to be found. You told me you would stick by my side, and not even ten minutes later, you went back on your word. The only other person I know is Logan, and he didn’t promise me he would stick by my side all night. So, when I couldn’t find you, I just thought I would go inside for a while. I wasn’t lying. I did need a nap. Besides, it’s not like you missed me, anyway. I heard Logan isthe one who came to you, asking where I went. You didn’t even realize I was gone.”
He looks down. I know I’m being too hard on him. He was just being a nice guy, but because he always wants to be the nice guy, I’m always second.
I squeeze the hand he’s holding. “Look, Auggie. I wasn’t mad at you. My feelings were hurt. You know I don’t know anybody who was down in the water, and when you said that you would not leave my side, I thought you meant it. When I looked up and saw you were carrying some girl up to the house, I just assumed you’d be busy for a while. I figured she must have gotten hurt, or you changed your mind.” I shrug it off like it’s no big deal. “There was no point in staying down there if you were occupied. I know how you are. You wouldn’t have left her side until she said it was okay. You care deeply. It’s one of the reasons I love you, but I feel like every time I see you, someone is in need of your care, and I get pushed aside. Someone else could have taken her up to her parents. One being her brother. I’m just tired of competing with everyone.”
“I promise I won’t leave your side for the remainder of the week,” he says softly.
I shake my head before I respond, “No, Auggie. No more promises. You keep making promises and breaking them. You’re my best friend, and I only get so much time with you. I’m jealous because these people who usually take up our time can see you any time they want. All I get is a day here and a day there. I’m done, Auggie. You have zero obligation to me, and from here on out, I will have no expectations. If you choose to hang out with me, I’ll be elated, but if not, I’ll figure it out on my own. Right now, you feel bad about something you shouldn’t feel bad about.”
“River, no. You’re my best friend. I shouldn’t have left you out there by yourself.”
“It’s not your job to keep me entertained. I’m not mad. I’m just feeling sorry for myself, okay.”
He nods. “I don’t ever want you to feel like you’re second. I’m going to show you. I never feel like I have to entertain you. You’re my favorite person.”
I interrupt him before he can talk further, “And you are my favorite person. I will get over this, okay? My mom says it’s my hormones.” I smirk, trying to lighten the mood.
Picking up on my request to forget about this, he slides his hand until just our pinkies are hooked, and he squeezes. He looks over at me with a glint in his eyes. I don’t know what it means, but for the remainder of the week, Auggie doesn’t leave my side, and the ache in my heart turns to butterflies.
