Page 89 of Sparks Fly
Stella closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose as her thoughts spiraled. This was not what she wanted to do today, but it was time she and Chelsea actually talked.
“Chels, honestly, I don’t even really care about that,” Stella said, finally looking at her best friend. “I mean, I’d rather you hadn’t told him that, but you’ve literally been treating me so differently ever since Max entered the picture. It’s like most of the time things will be fine and then you make these snide little comments or remarks, and I don’t understand where that comes from. I thought you of all people would be happy I finally found someone I really like who likes me, too.”
“I am happy for you!” Chelsea said. “Truly. That’s why I word-vomited all over Max last night. I want things to work out between the two of you.”
“Then why, Chels?” Stella asked. “Because you have to admit that the vibes between us have been way off lately, and I don’t think that’s coming from me.”
Chelsea sighed. “No, you’re right, and I’m sorry. I think I maybe felt some kind of way because you were dating someone. Usually, whenever I need you, you’re around. Our whole thing is that I have the sex and you don’t. I’m the one who’s always out and about, and you’re always the one I can call when I forget my keys or my plans fall through.
“I guess I was used to our dynamic, and when that changed, I didn’t love it so I maybe acted out.”
“Maybe?”
“Definitely acted out,” Chelsea amended. “And I’m reallysorry. I’m also sorry for spilling the beans to Max, but I genuinely didn’t mean it as a malicious thing. I just wanted him to know that perhaps you might be a little hesitant to open yourself up to him. Emotionally, not physically, obviously. I know you already did that.”
Stella flicked Chelsea on the arm, and she flinched away with the most dramatic “Ouch!” Stella rolled her eyes.
“Fine, fine. I probably deserved that,” Chelsea said. “But I’m serious, Stells. I am sorry for being such a bitch lately. It was silly, and I’ll do better, I promise.”
Chelsea held out her pinkie finger, and Stella stared at it for a moment. Every part of her wanted to loop her pinkie around Chelsea’s and be done with it, but Chelsea was right. Things had changed between them, and Stella couldn’t let them move past this without making sure Chelsea knew how she felt.
“I forgive you, Chels,” Stella said. “But don’t just say you’ll do better; actually be better.”
“I will,” she said. “You know I will.”
“I don’t, though,” Stella said. “I want to believe you will, but it’s like you said. I finally met someone, someone who makes me happy, and instead of supporting me, you infantilized me and made jokes about it. It’s like you only like me when I’m at your beck and call. The one you can hit up if other plans fall through and then ditch me when something better comes along. That’s not friendship.”
“That’s not what I think at all,” Chelsea said, shaking her head.
“But it’s what you said,” Stella pushed on. “You were used to having me be available whenever you needed me, and whenI wasn’t anymore, you hated me for it. And that sucked, Chelsea. It really sucked.”
Stella’s voice caught as she felt her eyes welling with tears, and it was like everything that’d happened hit her all at once. Yellow Sparks, Max, and now Chelsea.
“I’m sorry, Stella,” Chelsea said. She wrapped her arms around Stella, pulling her into a hug, and that was it. The dam broke. Ugly tears fell onto Chelsea’s T-shirt, and Chelsea let it happen, rubbing circles on Stella’s back as she cried and cried until Stella felt like she was breathing regularly again.
When she pulled back, Chelsea’s face was also tear-stained.
“I’m a bitch,” Chelsea said, which made Stella laugh.
Chelsea took Stella’s hands in hers and gave them a squeeze.
“Seriously, you’re right. I took for granted always having you around, and that wasn’t fair,” Chelsea said. “You deserve to have your own fun, with Max or with a wheel of lovers. Whatever floats your boat.”
Stella laughed again. “I think I’ll just stick with the one, thank you.”
“Well, whatever,” Chelsea said, smiling. “The point is, I’m sorry I made you feel this way, and I promise going forward I’ll handle my own shit, including remembering my keys. I swear.”
Chelsea held out her pinkie again, and this time Stella took it, hooking her own pinkie around it and then pulling Chelsea in for another hug.
“Now, please eat your sandwich,” Chelsea said as she walked back around to the kitchen. “I only have enoughingredients for another one, and I will not be giving you my sandwich just because you let yours get cold.”
“Wow,” Stella said. “I liked you better when you were groveling.”
Chelsea flipped her off, and Stella did it right back with both hands.
“So,” Chelsea said as she started cooking again. “Am I allowed to ask why Max looked so dejected last night?”
Stella sighed as the memories of last night floated back like a terrible film.
