Page 16 of Tell Me Everything
“I was busy.” Her voice was cold. As if she'd just recited a text she'd learned by heart.
I frowned. What was wrong with her?
“Busy with what? What could be more important than the third anniversary of Mick's death?”
“Me,” she replied without blinking.
“I'm not sure I understand.”
“I needed time for myself.”
“And I needed you!”
For three years, I'd kept my mouth shut; now I really needed my best friend. Her gaze turned cold. She was going to leave me, too, wasn't she?
“You're not the only one who lost someone important that day, Lena. I needed some time for myself—I still do. I think it’s for the best if we go our separate ways.”
“What are you saying?”
“We're no good for each other. I don't think we should be friends anymore.”
Kelsey left the room without looking back. My heart was heavy, but there were no more tears. I was too tired to cry.
***
Alex
Elena stopped in front of Alex, holding a bouquet of yellow tulips. She stood as straight as an arrow, determined. Alex raised an eyebrow. He closed his locker and gave her his full attention. The last time he'd seen her had been when they'd visited her brother's grave. That event had changed her. Something was different about her, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
“You got a secret admirer?”
Elena frowned, confused. “What? No, why would you think that?”
Alex pointed to the flowers with his chin. For some weird reason, she flushed.Adorable.Some students looked at themcuriously before moving on. Granted. They formed a rather unusual duo.
“Oh, uhm... they're for you actually.”
Alex chuckled. He'd clearly misheard. She frowned even more, clearly offended. Maybe he'd heard her right, after all. Elena threw the flowers at his face. She raised her head before heading off in the opposite direction. Alex had to do his best to catch up. She quickened her pace and exited the building.
“Elena, wait! Don't be mad.”
“Forget it.”
“Thanks for the flowers.”
She turned back to him. So that was what had changed; Elena was getting bolder. She still had a long way to go, but she seemed to have decided not to let others walk over her so easily. “Is this a joke?”
“What? No!”
“You don't seem happy to receive flowers.” She crossed her arms, lifting her chin.
God, she was infuriating, and yet he loved it.
“Why would you want to give me flowers?”
Her facade cracked. “They were pretty...”
“You... gave me flowers because you thought they were pretty.”
