Page 135 of We Can't Be Friends

“I. . . well. . . okay,” I finally settle on the word. Okay.

I’ll be okay.

You’re used to this, Chloe. This was bound to happen.

Everyone always eventually leaves you, and it’s always your fault.

“My lease is up at the end of the month. The travel nurse who was staying there already left, so the place is empty and we—”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Or ask my thoughts?” I cut her off, pulling away from her. Standing up, I cross my arms squashing the saying across my chest.

“I needed to make the best decision for me without anyone’s input.”

“Except Liam’s.Hismattered.”

“Chloe. It wasn’t like that. For once, I only thought about what I wanted. At the end of every day, whenever I asked myself the question, all I could see was him. I want to be with him. Every second, every minute, every hour of the day.

“Living temporarily in London was the best I’ve felt in years. I hadn’t realized how tied to my parents and what happened with Natalie living here caused.”

“What about what happened in London three years ago?” I throw in her face.

She shakes her head side to side. “Doesn’t matter. If anything, being there reminded me of all the time we lost.” She reaches for my hand. I pull away. “I’m leaving the city, not you.”

I ignore her, overwhelmed. Flying up the stairs, I go to my room, slamming the door shut behind me. Emerson calls after me. Her voice fading out the further away I got and the further into my grief I went. Cal’s voice echoed in the haze, telling her to let me go.

Lying face down on my bed, I let out an agonizing groan. If it weren’t for the pillow muffling me, I’d be a scream.

What did you do this time Chloe?

You just had to push her away?

She’s leaving, and it’s all your fault.

Who do you have left now? No one.I swear the voice cackles.

My deranged thoughts shift, replaying that day.

“Why was Aaron on that side of campus?” Miller paces the living room of our childhood home. “Chloe! That question is for you. Whywas he by your apartment? He had morning skate at eleven. Aaron should have been at the rink.”

“I-I—” I can’t tell them.

“Miller, leave her alone. She’s processing what happened, same as you,” Adler warns him, her voice comforting. She drove to school, picking me up. Miller was in the passenger seat. I climbed in the back, my body still shaking.

“No, Adler. I need answers. I need to know whose fault it is..”

“I-I—” I stutter again.

Miller gets on his haunches in front of me. “What, Chloe? You what?”

Adler steps in between us. “That’s enough, Miller.”

“She’s hiding something, Adler, I know it.”

“Your sister is grieving. You are grieving. This is not the time to tear each other apart. You both need each other. If you don’t stop—”

“If I don’t stop, what are you going to do Adler? Tell me that you don’t want to be with me? You’ve already made that clear.”

“Screw you, Miller.”

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