Page 78 of The One I Hate
“Simon…please…”
He doesn’t answer my plea. He doesn’t say another word as he walks out of the diner.
The day I cried over Simon was the most tears I’ve ever shed—even over the day my mom died. Simon broke me that day, and I didn’t think I’d ever put myself back together.
Now here I am, crying over him yet again.
And I only have myself to blame.
Chapter 18
Simon
Oliver: Earth to Simon. You alive?
Ilook at my phone and toss it back on my couch, not wanting to deal with Oliver’s antics today. That is, until the incessant buzzing of text messages coming through leaves me no choice but to read whatever the hell my friends are saying.
Shane: We saw him last night. He’s fine.
Wes: But is he? I called his bluff, and he didn’t even flip a table.
Shane: True. And he left strangely early. I bet he was going to see a certain person…
Oliver: Oh! Did you? Did you go see Charlie? Did something happen? I only ask because you are strangely silent, and I don’t know how to handle this version of Simon Banks.
Wes: Guys, this is huge. Simon’s in his feelings about a woman.
Shane: Now, let’s not jump to conclusions. We don’t know if this about Bug. He could have just scuffed his new shoes.
I furiously start typing.
Simon: Quit calling her Bug. I’m the only one who calls her that. You hear me?
Shane: There it is. Thought that would get your attention…
Fucker. I played right into his hands.
Oliver: We’re coming over.
Simon: No, you aren’t.
Wes: Yes, we are. You’ve done this for us, now it’s time to return the favor.
Simon: The doors are locked, and I’m not letting you in.
Shane: The man who has keys to all our houses thinks we don’t have one for his? Put on pants. We’ll be over in twenty.
Like clockwork, twenty minutes later my three best friends are standing in front of me, staring at me in a way they never have before.
Disbelief.
Curiosity.
Pity.
That one’s the worst.
“Fuck,” Shane says. “Have you slept?”
