Page 50 of Another Love, Another Time
I’ve successfully avoided Auggie for most of the day. Melissa has been hanging off Auggie’s arm for the better part of the day, and he doesn’t dare say anything to me around her. I made sure I was first in line when the food was ready.
When Auggie sits down next to me at the picnic table, I stand up and grab my tray. I’ve just lost my appetite. Melissa and her friend are still looking for a place to eat. He reaches for me, but before he can, I’m out of his reach. I yell out to Melissa, “Hey, Melissa. I’m done. You can sit here.” Then, I turn and walk off.
~~
We finally got back from the clam bake. It was fun, and the food was good. I mostly hung out with the parents to avoid Auggie. I tried to act as unaffected as possible. I don’t think any of the parents noticed. If Logan noticed, he didn’t say anything. He tries to stay out of our shit.
Auggie and I are supposed to go to our reservation to see the sunset, but at this point, I just want to go alone. It’s supposed to be relaxing, but at this point, I think it would just stress me out.
I just got out of the shower and am brushing out my hair. There’s a knock at the door. I have my clothes on, so I tell the person they can come in. It’s my mom, holding a set of keys in her hand.
“When are you leaving?” she asks.
“In about ten minutes,” I respond.
“Are you sure you want to go by yourself? I would feel better if you took someone with you.”
“I just need some time to clear my head. We are only on day two, and I’m about ready to explode, Mom.”
“Okay, sweetie. Just keep your phone on you and your location identifier on.”
“Yes, Mom.” Then, she walks out of the bathroom and closes the door. I pull my long hair up in a messy bun, put some mascara on, and head to the car.
~~
I’m putting the keys in the ignition when I hear the passenger door open. Auggie slides in.
“What are you doing?” I snap at him.
“I’m going to watch the sunset with you. Isn’t that what we had planned?”
He knows damn well I was trying to leave without him. “Get out. I don’t want to go with you anymore.”
“Well, too damn bad. I’m going. You better start heading that way, or we’re going to be late,” he says in his calmest voice.
I growl in frustration. I give in because this is the one thing that I was looking forward to. I’m putting in the keys again when the back doors open, and Melissa and her friend slide in.
“Hey, can we ride with you?” she asks innocently.
“Did you book a reservation to go where we are going?” I question her.
“I know. Auggie told me where you were going. I got Meredith and me reservations twenty minutes after you.”
I glare at Auggie. This was supposed to be a secret. I knew if I told someone, this would turn into a group thing. “You fucking told her,” I growl at him.
He averts his gaze to look out the window.
Acting like she didn’t notice my frustration, Melissa continues, “I asked your mom if I could drive separately, and she said there was no sense in driving two cars.”
Of fucking course my mom would think that. It sounds reasonable. Why would we drive two cars to the same location?
I don’t want to talk to any-fucking-body. I’m shaking with anger. I finally put the keys in the ignition and start the car.
Meredith pipes up, “Can you turn some music on?”
I’m pretending to be as nice as I can at this point. I put on the playlist I listen to when I’m mad at the world and turn it as high as it will go.
This is going to be a nice, relaxing ride. Nobody dares to say a word.
