Page 113 of Glad You Exist

She stands, taking the tray with her.

"I don't need to remind you that she has depression so maybe educate yourself on that more instead of convincing yourself she doesn't love you because in case you haven't noticed and need a reminder,she does." She huffs out a breath and in true Kim fashion, twists the knife harder before walking away. "Or maybe she did, and she's done and it's too late for you now."

I’ve been sitting on my bed for the past two hours, wallowing in self-pity and drowning in heartbreak when a knock on the door breaks into my harried thoughts.

Summer's head pops in and relief crosses her features.

"Good. You're still here. I was worried you’d already left."

I zip up my bag and toss it to the ground.

"Just about."

"Can I come in?"

I nod, patting the space beside me on the bed. She waves her hand saying no but she steps into my room with a nervous expression on her face.

"Is Dan with you?"

She shakes her head slightly, "Not until later."

I scrunch my nose in disappointment but it's for the best, my brother would see right through me if he was here. I don’t have it in me to pretend. I did that all day yesterday and will need to play the part again this weekend at Dad’s.

"What's up?"

"Have you checked your phone lately?"

I shake my head, avoiding her eyes. I don't want to talk about my breakup. I just need to keep busy. Which is why I’m headed back to my dad’s place. To spend time with them this weekend, forget for a little bit. Pretend that prom isn't happening in an hour and that I am missing out. I could always go without a date but seeing Brad...it would hurt way too much.

"I turned it off. No distractions this weekend."

"Turn it on."

She hums, her eyes flitting around my room like she's looking for something.

"Why?"

Her gaze lands on my prom dress hanging on a hook on my closet door.

"Please. Turn it on."

I sigh. She isn't going to relent until I do this, so I dig for the phone under my pillow.

I turned it off yesterday after sending that text to Kim letting her know I wouldn't be coming to school fully aware that she would pass along the message to Brad. I didn't lie, I did spend the day with Olivia, helping her decorate Dad's—their—new house.

I didn't want to hide yesterday but when I got up to go to school, my anxiety got the best of me. I felt like my world came crashing down. Like everything lost meaning and I couldn't do it. I couldn't face him. Not yet.

Not when the fact that I never told him that I love him gutted me more than anything.

I am unequivocally and hopelessly in love with Brad. Even with how things fell apart between us, the part of me that denied him of that truth is yelling to be heard.

Regret is my friend, yet again.

I stare at my phone as it starts up, feeling Summer's eyes on me the whole time.

Instantly my phone buzzes with so many notifications that I have to set it down to let it catch up. I glance at her and she’s practically dancing with anticipation.

“What’s going on?”