Secrets

After I had just finished eating breakfast and I was doing the dishes that my parents had left for me, my phone rings. I pulled my phone out of my pocket to see that it was my best friend Julie calling me. I put the phone between shoulder and ear and continue to wash the dishes. “Hey babes,” Julie says as I answer the phone.

“Hey love, what’s up?”

“So have you done it?”

“Done what?” I ask, even though I know exactly what she’s talking about.

“Don’t play dumb with me. You know exactly what I’m talking about, have you broken up with Jason yet?”

“No, if I did I would’ve told you already.

“Well, what’s the holdup? It’s not that hard, dude.”

“What do you expect me to say? ‘Hey, babe, so funny thing. I’m in love with Barry and I just want you to know that I’ve loved him throughout our entire relationship. So we’re gonna have to break up. Okay?’ It’ll break him.”

“Well, maybe next time don’t fall in love with your best friend.” She said in a snarky voice. I rolled my eyes at her antics. “You better not be rolling your eyes at me.” By the time she said that I was already finished washing the dishes and proceeded to roll my eyes at her.

“Yeah okay I’ll keep that in mind. Are we still on for today?”

“Of course I’ve been ready. I’ve been waiting for your lazy rear to get up.”

“Girl, who in the world still says rear?”

“Me! Now hurry up and come to my house.”

“Fine, I’m leaving now.” I hung up the phone on her and left the kitchen. I went to the living room and saw mom and Derek cuddled up on the couch. I’m happy that mom’s happy again. Derek’s been in my life since I was seven, he’s been more than a dad to me than my actual dad. Yet I don’t call him dad, even though he’s been the closest thing to dad to me.

“Guys, I’m going to Julie’s house and I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay, but be safe and answer your phone when we call,” Derek said. I nodded my head and looked at my mom. However, she was too busy looking at Derek and realized that I was waiting for her to say something. I grabbed keys from off the coffee table and walked out the front door locking it behind me. I decided to walk to Julie’s since she lived basically down the street from me. However, it also occurred to me that Jason also lived in Julie’s neighborhood. I figured that I would just break up with him and it’ll be out of the way. When I reached his front door, I knocked on the door and waited for someone to open it. It would’ve been better to let him know I’m coming instead of just showing up.

Not too long after, Jason came to the door and opened it with a smile on his face. It’s a shame that when I leave he won’t be smiling anymore. “Hey babe, what are you doing here?”

“Hi baby, I um... I just wanted to see you before I go to Julie’s place.”

“Aww that’s so sweet of you, come on in.” He stepped aside to give me some room to come inside, however, I didn’t.

“I-I actually can’t come in. Julie had something important to tell me and I just can’t be late. I know if I come in, I won’t be leaving till like an hour later.” It’s funny how I can lie to him so easily without feeling bad about it.

“That’s a shame, but also a blessing. I have to help my mom move some things from her room to the attic like right now.”

“It’s sweet that you help your mom.”

“Not like I have a choice, but I enjoy helping her at times. So did you need anything or...”

“Yeah, I did. Um... Jason, I love you so much, truly I do... but I...” While looking into his big brown doe eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to break his heart this morning. “I’ve been going through something, and I’m just really thrilled that you’re in my life because I know that I’ll have you to help me with it.” He gives me this smile that I can’t quite explain and pulls me into a hug.

“I love you too baby. I-I’ll always be here for you no matter what.” He presses a kiss on my forehead and hugs me tighter. When we finally release each other from our holds, I quickly say goodbye and rush over to Julie’s house. I knock on her door, and her father greets me. He’s wearing a white wife-beater with stains on it and sweatpants.

“Julie! Jana’s here!” He yells while leaving me at the front door to go take a seat on the couch. Julie runs down the stairs wearing a yellow sundress and her hair in a ponytail. She closes the phone behind her, as she begins to walk I pull her arm and stop her.

“What’s wrong?” She asks.

“I’m a failure. People are meant to fail, and failed”

“What happened?”

“I tried to break up with him, but I just kept looking into his big eyes and I couldn’t do it. Why can’t you do it for me? You’re my best friend, you’re supposed to help when I’m in need.”

“Because I’m not in love with someone else while having a boyfriend.”

“While we’re on the topics of boyfriends... did you tell Jake you’re not spending the summer with him and his family?” I said while giving her a stern look, she’s been saying that she would for two weeks now.

“Okay okay, before you start judging me... I didn’t because whenever I mention the trip he gets all excited and starts talking about our future together, marriage, babies, etcetera. Although... If you tell him I won’t have to see his face when his spirits are crushed.”

“Girl, you wouldn’t tell Jason that I’m breaking up with him, yet you want me to crush your boyfriend’s spirits. No.”

“Fineee.” She said in a whining voice. “I’ll break up with Jason for you if you tell Jake for me.”

“Deal,” I said while shaking on it. We continued to walk aimlessly for about ten minutes around this general area not wandering too far. While we were walking we came across our local ice cream parlor called Joanna’s. Julie and I walked into the parlor and stood in line waiting to get our order taken. When it was finally our turn, I ordered mint chocolate chip with strawberry ice cream on top, and Julie ordered butter pecan. After I paid for our food we took a seat at a booth and started to dig in.

“Wasn’t that cashier lowkey fine?” Julie commented. I rolled my eyes at my best friend

“Girl you have a boyfriend, you can’t be saying stuff like that in public.”

“Whatever, I was just stating what everyone else was thinking.” I laughed at her antics and proceeded to eat my ice cream. After about thirty minutes of us laughing, talking, and eating we were finally finished with our food. As we were about to get up from our booth Julie’s face changed into a look of sadness and shock.

“Hey, Julie... what’s wrong?” When I asked that her eyes shifted over to me and gave me a look of sadness. I turned my body around to see what she was looking at. When I turned I was shocked at the sight before me. I couldn’t describe the emotions that were flowing through my body. It was Jason having his arms wrapped around some other girl while kissing her cheek. I looked back at Julie to see that she was already looking at me.

“Any chance that he has a sister that he never mentioned?” She asked.

“This isn’t Alabama. Plus he has an older brother.” I got up from my seat, followed by Julie, and went up to Jason and this mystery girl that had taken a seat in another booth. When we approached them, Jason’s face was morphed into a look of shock and guiltiness. I looked between the both of them and scoffed.

“Baby I-”

“I have no words. I wasted a year and a half on you, only find out that you’re with some other girl. How long has this been going on?”

“Jana let me explain, she-”

“How long?” I asked, at this point, I didn’t even want to hear what he had to say.

“Four months, give or take. I mean I knew he had a girlfriend but I didn’t know she was going to be so... what’s the word?... Dark...” The girl responded. Julie rolled her eyes at the girl, and she seemed to notice. “Why are you giving me this attitude?”

"‘Why are you giving me this attitude?’” Julie mocked. One thing I forgot to mention about Julie is that she has a slight anger problem. “Girl shut the hell up! No one was even talking to you in the first place. We didn’t even acknowledge your presence, not even your little boo thang. He doesn’t love you baby girl he’s just using you, because, in reality, you were just the side piece. The fact that you don’t even care that he had a girl and you still pursued him... you must think low of yourself. Also, let’s not forget about how you brought race into this, baby, he had a gorgeous, voluptuous, flavorful woman whose skin glows when she’s in the sun. Now, he has this poor excuse of a girl who looks plain... like bread that’s just... there. So if you excuse us we’re gonna go.” With that, Julie waved goodbye and grabbed my wrist, and pulled me out of the parlor.

When we left the parlor I looked at my best friend and gave her the biggest hug. This is why I love her so much, she didn’t have to say all of those things, but she did. She’s my ride or die. “I love you so much, babes. You didn’t have to go off on her like that. But at the same time, I’m not complaining, this is why I love you.”

“Of course, you’re my best friend, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t stick up for you and put that girl in her place.” She said while wrapping her arm over my shoulder while I rested my head on hers.

“See this is why we go so well together.”

“Exactly... but how are you feeling?”

“Fine, I guess.”

“I know that’s not true. I know that you’re upset about it but wanna talk about it so I won’t push you.”

“Thanks love.”