Page 19 of Aftershock

She rolled her eyes. “Get over yourself, Autumn. Do you really think you’re the only one who’s ever pushed people away or refused to take advice? Do you really think that makes you unworthy of having friends?”

“I guess not,” I mumbled.

“The correct answer is ‘Hell no!’” She yelled. “Try again with feeling,” she motioned for me to continue.

Rolling my eyes, I glared at her and dryly said, “Hell no.”

“That was pathetic.”

“Well,” I shrugged hopelessly.

“Look, Autumn, I’ve played this game before. You’re going to have to try a lot harder if you think that’s going to stop me from trying to get to know you. I’m not so easily discouraged.”

“And neither am I.”

“Then stop trying to fight me and focus on what’s actually upsetting you,” she suggested. “Your story isn’t over, so don’t give up on the possibility of healing.”

“Fine,” I huffed out. “But only if you promise not to give up either.”

Lexi looked at me daringly. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

I felt a smile creep its way onto my lips. “Why are you trying to help me so much?”

“Because you clearly won’t do it yourself.”

“Touché,” I narrowed my eyes at her.

If I had talked to someone about my pain sooner, then I would’ve been able to begin healing instead of constantly hurting. Or maybe being with stuck in an airport bathroom with Lexi was exactly the therapy I needed.

Revival

A wave of guilt washed over me. “I'm sorry for taking out my anger on you.”

“I’ve been through worse.”

I laughed dryly. That’s exactly what she had said when she was talking on the phone earlier. It still didn’t make it okay for me to use her as my own personal verbal punching bag, no matter how strong she was.

“That doesn’t excuse how I treated you.”

Never slap away a hand that is only reaching out to try and help you after you have fallen.

That was something my mom used to say whenever she tried to help me, and I constantly pushed her away. Lexi was a stranger, but she was also someone I respected from afar. She didn’t deserve how I treated her. Neither did my mother.

“Well, I'm also kind of glad you felt safe enough to say what you were really thinking. I think that’s something a lot of people struggle with, especially around celebrities.”

There were so many people who followed celebrities blindly, regardless of their choices or their actions. Sometimes it seemed like money made people untouchable. That was not how I saw it, though. Following someone just because they had wealth and power, despite their negative impact, was not something to be proud of. Having different opinions was one thing, but you couldn’t just sit around and be a “yes-man” for your whole fucking life, no matter who the other person was.

And I think it’s clear that I was the exact opposite of a yes man.

And so was she.

“So, I take it I'm not doing a good job at trying to win you over as a friend, huh?”

“Surprisingly, I think that conversation is just what we needed,” she laughed. “It was the first test of our friendship.”

“Okay,” I pursed my lips together into a thin line. “I've told you my secrets. Now, it's only fair I get to ask you some questions, too.”

Lexi's eyes widened as she let out a singular laugh with a sarcastic undertone. “Ha, yeah, because that’s the logical next step, seeing as how my whole autobiography isn't available to the public for everyone to see!”

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