Page 56 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“It’s senior year. You partied a lot in senior year.”

“I’m a guy, it’s different.”

“Nice, Dad. How very misogynistic of you.”

“Poppy, I’m just… We had a rough few months with Lily at the beginning of her senior year. I don’t want—”

“You don’t want to have to worry about me, right, got it.” Dejection snaked through me. “Can we go? I’m tired.”

“We love you, Poppy. You know that, right?”

The edge of concern in his voice made me soften.

“Yeah, Dad.” I sighed. “I know.”

I slept all morning. Dreaming of Aaron and Eli and my sister. It was weird, but I knew it was probably some kind of metaphor for my feelings around everything. Them. My parents. Myself.

I’d always been the confident one. The one who walked into a room and commanded attention. But what most people didn’t realize was it was my body armor. Lily might not have shone brighter than me, but it still felt like I’d grown up in her shadow. My parents had to have a more hands-on approach with her. Me, they left to my own devices. I could handle the world. Life. New experiences. I didn’t need coddling or protecting. But that didn’t mean I didn’t want someone to look past my shiny bubbly veneer occasionally.

My cell phone vibrated and I leaned over and snatched it off my nightstand.

Eli: How are you feeling?

Me: Like something crawled into my stomach and died.

Eli: Nice visual. So you won’t want to get dinner later? I was thinking burgers or pizza?

My stomach grumbled and I rolled onto my back, staring at his message. I’d woken up in Aaron’s arms, and I’d liked it. I’d liked it so damn much. But then he’d acted as if nothing had happened. More than that, he’d scrambled out of bed as if waking up next to me was the worst thing to ever happen to him.

When was I going to accept the truth?

Aaron didn’t want me.

I was his friend. The way that Cole was his friend or Ashleigh or his teammates. Sure, we’d had a special bond growing up but we were older now. Seniors. He had girls like Zara Willis offering it up on a platter to him.

Of course he wouldn’t save himself for me.

Me: What about a movie and popcorn?

Eli: Sounds good. Pick you up at seven?

Me: Great. I’ll be waiting. xo

Maybe it was a bad idea seeing Eli again when I was confused about everything. But I needed to prove to myself I could move on.

My cell vibrated again and I smiled at Eli’s enthusiasm. Only, it wasn’t Eli.

Sofe: NEVER let me drink that much again.

Me: I know, I feel so awful. I slept for hours.

Sofe: What did your mom and dad say?

Me: Dad wasn’t too happy, but I managed to avoid Mom. I need some water and more Advil though so I gotta brave the kitchen soon.

Sofe: Want to come over later and wallow in our misery with ice cream and movies?

Me: Actually, I have a date… with Eli.

The three little dots appeared but her reply didn’t come right away. The knot in my stomach ever since waking up in Aaron’s arms tightened.

When it finally came, I didn’t know how to feel about it.

Sofe: I think you’re doing the right thing. Eli seems like a nice guy and for as much as I wish my brother would open his eyes and realize what’s right in front of him… I don’t want you to waste senior year waiting around for him. So go have fun and call me when you get home and give me all the details.

Me: I will. xo

It was a brief reply.

But I really didn’t know what else to say.

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