Page 71 of Collided

Marie must’ve seen my reluctance, she steps closer with a soft expression on her face. “Someone taught me the rules of friendship. There are fifty of them. I’ll teach all of them to you, though it’ll take me a while. Anyway, one of them is, ‘Friends tell each other things.’ That is if you want to.”

“I want to, Marie.” I lean against the sink to collect my thoughts. I never thought I’d find people who’d want to know about me. The reason why it’s so hard to talk to them about myself and my feelings. I’m not used to it.

For the past sixteen years, I’ve been on my own. No friends. No cousins. No aunts and uncles. No grandparents. I’ve had very little contact with people. It’s bewildering now that I’m thrown into a friend group that is close and tight. Some part of me doesn't want to be lonely anymore, but I don’t know hownotto be. It’s ingrained in my DNA.

However, I need to take the step. I don’t want to be the same lonely girl anymore.

I brief Marie on yesterday, excluding the fact Heath told me about his sister, wanting to keep that to myself. I bet she already knows.

“Oh my God. Heath made you an account and is helping you!” Marie shrieks in excitement.

My face burns up to a hundred degrees. “Yes.”

“What’s the account name? I need to follow you.” Marie follows me and likes every single post. She also shares it to her account. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped you.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you. Heath and I were just talking. Somehow I ended up telling him. I wasn’t going to tell anyone. I don’t even know if it’ll work.”

She grabs my shoulder and demands my attention. “It’llwork, I promise. I’ll make sure it works.” She speaks with such conviction even I manage to find some confidence in myself.

“Thank you, Marie.”

“Always. Are you and Heath friends?”

I laugh in disbelief. “No.”

“That’s a bummer.”

“He’sjusthelping me.”

She nods. “He helps people at the community center every weekend.”

Disbelief fills me. “He does?”

She rolls her eyes. “Of course not. He’s not that kind of person.” Joining me against the sink she says, “I think he's got a thing for you.”

I can’t hold my laughter. “I don’t think so.”

“That’s what everyone said when Sebastian was spending time with me.”

Her words make me think, but I instantly block the process.

I don’t want to believe in something and then lose my faith in it. I’d be delusional if I think Heath has feelings for me when he’s never entertained a single girl in school. No matter how persistent they are he ignores them like plague. It’s kinda contradicting as most guys with bad reputations are also involved in bed with multiple girls. Heath is nothing like that.

It’d be so easy to read his thoughts if there was a book about him. I’d be able to understand him better and find out if he has any feelings for me or not.

“It’s not like that.”

She smiles. “Time will tell.” Taking my hand she adds, “I know you’re not used to friends, but you can talk to me about anything. I’ll never judge you or not listen to you.” A sad look crosses her face, but I don’t indulge in it. Mainly because I don’t want to push her.

“You can tell me anything, too. I’ll be there for you.”

She pulls me to her, and I hug her back. It’s the hug that reminds me of all the quotes I’ve read in books regarding friendships. Marie makes me believe in friendship.

Suddenly a group of girls walk in, and we separate.

“Is that Heath Travon outside?” One of them squeals.

“I think so. Let me check.” The brunette peeks outside and turns around with a beaming smile. “He’s still there. God, he looks so fucking hot. I wish he’d look at me.”

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