Page 188 of The First Time
He shrugs. "Don't thank me. Thank democracy."
Mal and Ethan share a knowing look. I'm not sure I like it, but I am sure there's nothing I can do about it.
Violet slides closer. "I get it if you want to go to your room and cry your eyes out. Or if you can't bear to talk about this anymore. But if you want to talk about it... maybe you could explain what happened."
I nod. I want that. "Let me start at the beginning."
* * *
It takes half an hour,my entire soup, and two cups of coffee, but I manage to explain everything. I skim over the sex, but I include most of the other details—our text flirtation, him rescuing me from Rory's party, the way he made me feel like I mattered, his insistence that we shouldn't, that he wasn't good for me, his insistence that I honor my passion, the last few weeks of just being together, the awful look on his face when he got that call.
The break up.
Violet nods along with every word. Mal and Ethan listen too, but I can tell they're fighting with their desire to go punch Kit for breaking my heart.
Explaining everything helps put my thoughts in order.
It's obvious to me now, what I have to do. "I want to go to San Francisco."
Violet chews on her bottom lip. "I know this hurts, Piper. And it's not fair. But breakups are unilateral decisions. If he wants it to be over, it's over."
"But he doesn't want it to be over," I say.
"Even so. He ended things." Violet's voice is soft, sweet. "I know how you feel, but you need to give him space."
"But what about how you left Ethan? What if he'd never tried to get you back?" I ask.
Violet tilts her head, thinking it over.
"It's not the same," Ethan says. "I forced Vi's hand. She didn't want to leave. It took me a while to figure that out. And she needed that time too. It was good for us."
"Was it?" Violet's brow furrows then relaxes. "No, it was. I needed that space."
Okay, that's nice for them. And really, I am happy they're happy. But they don't get it.
"Even if it's over, we're still friends," I say. "Someone needs to be there for Kit."
Mal glances at his phone. "Joel's leaving in a few hours."
"But is Joel going to hold his hand?" I ask.
"You really are as stubborn as your brothers," Violet teases. "I guess it's genetic."
I nod. "If it was Ethan, wouldn't you go?"
"Of course," Violet says.
I look to Ethan. "And if it was her?"
Ethan nods.
Mal looks at me. "You sure? What if you show up and he asks you to leave?"
"Then I'll leave," I say.
"And you'll be okay with that?" he asks.
No, but it's better than doing nothing. It's better than letting my friend take on this burden alone.
I hold Mal's gaze. "I guess I'll have to be okay with that."
