Just Flowers Chapter 13

Once in her room, Bryn opened Jen's notebook to the last place she had read. It had been a week or so since she cracked its spine and laid her eyes upon all that was left of her friend. So much had been going on. She read over a few familiar sentences until she got to the right spot.
Ellie walked in. "What're you doing?" she asked disinterested. Bryn closed the book as if trying to hide the words.
"Nothing. Just reading I guess."
"Reading what?" Ellie moved closer, peering past her sister's eyes to the notebook.
"Some old school work. Kinda bored."
"I can see that."
"So how are you?"
"I'm a little disoriented, I think. Me and Lucas had a fight, but I guess you already know that."
"Why would I know?"
"Don't try to lie to me, Bryn. I know you and Lucas are fooling around behind my back."
"Are you serious? He said that?"
"Yeah. He also said you wanted to start things up again. He said once I found out it was over with you two. He said-"
"He's lying!"
"How can I trust you?"
"Lucas is in love with me, not the other way around."
Hate burned in Ellie's eyes, and she retorted, "Oh yeah, that's right. You have Connor and Will as your little call boys."
"You don't know anything, Ellie. You've got your facts all fucked."
"Who am I supposed to believe?"
"Your sister!"
"Why?"
"Maybe because I'm your sister. Maybe because you've known me longer and because I have no reason to lie to you."
"You're lying to me right now!"
"Ellie, fuck! Why are you questioning everything I'm saying?"
"Because you went behind my back and screwed around with my boyfriend then looked me in the eye and lied."
"I'm not lying!"
"Yes you are!"
"No I'm not!"
"Prove it."
"I don't even like Lucas!" Bryn screamed, angry and frustrated.
"He said you would say that."
"Seriously?"
"Yes seriously. I don't see why you have to have everything, Bryn. You have two other available guys biting at your feet for a chance to be with you and you still have to have what isn't yours."
"Bryn!" Angelica called from down the stairs. "Someone's at the door!"
Bryn hesitated. "All I can do is hope you believe me, and if you can't... then I guess you can't. I never touched Lucas," she said, leaving the room.When she was halfway down the stairs, Ellie slammed their bedroom door.
"I guess I'm not forgiven then."
She came upon the door and opened it slowly. "Will," she breathed, caught completely off guard.
"Hi," he replied avoiding her gaze.
"What d'you want?"
"I was wondering if I could crash here for a few days."
"Why?"
"I got kicked out."
Bryn looked at him, unable to hate him. "How come?"
"MY mom came back. Like for good. She's moving back in right now. I told her I didn't want to live in a house where she was and my dad hit me and threw me out."
"How is any of this my problem?"
"it's either I stay here or spend the night in my car."
"Looks like you've got a good hold of things so I better let you go." Bryn shut the door quickly.
Will rang the doorbell a few times then opened the door himself.
"Look, Bryn-"
"Get out of my house," Bryn said, pushing his shoulder and in turn, causing him to step back outside.
"Bryn I have no place to go."
"Why should I care?"
"I thought you loved me."
She blinked, confused. "When did I say... that?"
"You don't have to say the words to love someone."
"Well... do you... love... me?"
"Yeah."
"Even after everything that happened?"
"Not a whole lot can happen to make you stop loving someone."
"But you said you weren't ever in love before."
"I know."
"So are you in love now? With me?"
Will looked away, his expression determined to do all the talking.
"Okay. What does that mean if you love me but you're not - oh." Bryn sighed, disappointed.
"Bryn," Will said, taking her arms, I'm not gonna lie to you or tell you something I don't feel. I do love you, but I'm not... you know, in love."
"Great."
"I don't mean to hurt you, if that's what this is doing. I want to be honest."
"Was it that night?" Bryn asked, turning away from him. She covered half her face with her hand.
"Why would that make a difference?"
"You said you wanted to be honest. Was it when I told you to stop that changed things?"
He paused, looking around the room for an answer. "Maybe, a little."
"Wow."
"Look, Bryn, I've said I'm sorry and I told you the truth. I don't know what else I can do, but I just need to know if I can stay here. If not I have to find a place to park and I'd like to do that before the sun goes down."
Heavy hearted, she said, "Fine. You can have the couch."
Bryn walked back to her room and was surprised to find it empty. She shrugged, focusing her attention back on the notebook, and tried to forget what Will had said.

"I should have broken up with him sooner. There's just too much shit now for me to deal with. I'm being trapped in a box and slowly running out of air. I'm running out of time..."