Page 73 of Clichés & Curses

Before I could think it through, the words were already out of my mouth. ‘I would probably say no,’ I confessed.

Eliza looked taken aback by my answer, surprise evident on her face. ‘How come? If you like Colton and he asked you out, why wouldn’t you say yes?’

‘Colton and I just can’t happen, Eliza,’ I admitted. ‘It’s just better off this way.’ I directed my eyes to the food in front of me, trying my best to ignore her heavy gaze.

‘What is it you’re not telling me, Clara?’ I heard Eliza ask, her voice soft.

I let her words hang in the air, as I tried to muster up the courage to talk about the curse and my stupid notion of it.

‘Did you ever notice a similarity between the story of how Mom and Dad got together with how you and Nathan got together?’ I started, letting my eyes finally meet hers.

Her eyebrows furrowed at my question, a look of confusion on her features. ‘And what exactly is the similarity?’

‘It started when you were paired up for something. Mom and Dad were partners for that class assignment back when theywere in high school, while you and Nathan were partners for that work assignment.’

‘Okay,’ Eliza trailed off. ‘Well, that’s just a coincidence.’

‘But that’s not where the similarities end,’ I continued. ‘Another thing I noticed was how both of your relationships followed the whole cliché love interest story. You know, how in every romance story, the main character always brushes off the idea of ever being with the cliché love interest, because they’re convinced it’s never gonna happen,’ I said, putting up air quotes for the last three words.

Eliza raised her eyebrow in amusement at me. ‘I see where you’re getting at. So, you’re saying Dad was the cliché love interest because he was the bad boy?’

‘And Nathan was your work rival, which is another type of cliché love interest,’ I continued.

‘Fair point,’ Eliza said. ‘And Colton fits into this whole category because he’s a college athlete?’

‘Star athlete,’ I corrected her. ‘He’s one of the best players on the baseball team.’

‘And now you’re also partners for a class.’ Eliza slowly nodded, seeming to understand where I was going.

‘Exactly.’

‘But why do these similarities have to do with you saying no to Colton asking you out on a date?’ Eliza then asked.

‘You’re going to think I’m ridiculous.’

‘I will never think that,’ she answered truthfully.

I let out a tired sigh. What’s one more person to share my childish beliefs with? ‘I think our family is cursed, Eliza.’

Her head jolted slightly at my words. ‘Cursed?’

‘See,’ I exclaimed. ‘I know you’d think I’m being ridiculous.’

‘No, you just took me by surprise, that’s all,’ she quickly reassured me. ‘And what is the curse exactly?’

‘Cliché love interests are only meant for stories, that’s why people can’t stop writing them, and why we can’t stop reading them. But that’s all there is to it. They only sound good in fiction, stories of make-believe. But when it comes to real life, it just doesn’t last. At least for our family, it doesn’t.’ I shrugged.

‘Oh, Clara,’ Eliza said. ‘You can’t possibly believe that.’

‘How can I not, when I saw it happen in front of me?’ I said. ‘First with our parents’ divorce, then with you and Nathan calling off the engagement three months later. It’s all there, Eliza—the same pattern. I think I have enough reasons to be justified in believing this’. I quickly directed my eyes back to my plate, trying my best to avoid Eliza’s gaze on me.

‘Clara.’ I heard her say, her tone pitiful.

‘I know you’re thinking about how ridiculous I’m being. Hearing all of this.’

‘I didn’t say that,’ Eliza said. ‘Nor do I think that.’

Her soft voice made me brave enough to meet her eyes. And all I could see was understanding, no judgment whatsoever.

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