Page 21 of Toxic Wishes

“I'm not dumb, Abigail. I’m your sister, and you aren't very good at hiding your emotions. Like, at all.” She twists the bottle of water open, downing it in one breath.

“Okay, fine, ya, it’s him. He’s just frustrating. I mean, I don’t get it. First, he distances himself by not letting me hang out with him and the band, which now makes sense since they all messed around with their girlfriends behind their backs, but that’s beside the point. We text every day. And then,” I point the knife at her as I speak a mile a minute. “He kissed me on my birthday in his car four nights ago, and now he is acting like I don’t exist.”

“Ooh, la la. So that’s what you guys have been doing when you sneak out?”

I turn to face her. “How did you know I was sneaking out?” I say as I catch my breath.

“Come on, Abigail. We still share a room with bunk beds since Dad's too cheap to buy a bigger house and new furniture.” She briefly looks up to the ceiling and then back at me before continuing. “God, I can’t wait to move out and make my own money once I graduate.” She says under her breath as she snags one of my celery sticks and takes a hearty bite.

I place my elbows on the counter and let my face fall into my hands. “I just don’t get it.”

“You don’t have to. Men are idiots. Just know he’ll call you when he’s done playing the game.”

“But I’m not playing a game.”

“Doesn’t matter.” She says with her mouthful. “They will play them anyways, sucking you in.” Boys love games, but they love the chase even more, so they are unavailable.” She takes another bite of the celery stick.

“Is that why you love to fuck men up mentally, as you say?”

“Heck ya, look at you right now? Why should we sit and mope around while they’re out doing God knows what?” she waves the celery stick in a circular motion. You should reach out to another guy. Better yet, snap a photo of you out with one, then post it on Instagram.”

I looked down at my hands and then back at her. She knew exactly what I was saying without saying a word. I didn’t know any other guys. Heck, I didn’t even have friends. Toby was right, I was pathetic.

“You know what, don’t even text him back or respond when he decides to be available.”

“I already did.”

“How many times?” She dips her chin at me as if she is already disappointed in my answer before I tell her.

“Two,” my answer comes out reluctantly.

She bounces her head back and forth, deciphering the options. “That’s still salvageable. Don't contact him anymore, though.”

I open my mouth to speak, but she cuts me off.

“I know it's going to be hard, but trust me. If he ghosts you for one day, you ghost him for two. He will contact you. Mark my word. All men are simple-minded creatures, and once you master their minds, knowing their next moves nine times out of ten, it’s easy to play the game.” She wiggles the celery at me once before finishing it off in one bite.

Her phone started to ring, and she answered it. “Hey baby, ya, I’m ready. Okay,cool. Be right there.” She jumped off the seat and said, “Ahad and I are going to work out at the gym and then grab a bite to eat.”

“Oh, cool. Have fun.” I start to put the dishes in the sink to help clean up before I get lectured to do it anyway.

“Do you want to come?” She says hesitantly. My eyes dart to hers.

“Me?”

“No, the person behind you. Ya, you. Who else would I be talking to?” She laughs lightly, as if this was some normal, every day request. Adalee never invited me out, anywhere.

“Y-Ya. Sure.”

“It will help keep you distracted. Grab your tennis shoes. He’ll be here in five minutes.” Without hesitation, I do what she says, hiding my inner smile.

My sister was right. After three days of not giving in, Blake messaged me back to back on the dot at 11:11 a.m. right when my orchestra teacher was getting into character, flinging his arms in the air like loose flanges.

I wish for Abigail to forgive me so I can kiss her again.

I wish for her to forgive me so she will smile at me again.

I wish for Abigail to send me sweet songs and for our friendship to go back to what it used to be, except friends who kiss now.

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