The Follow Through by Michele L. Rivera

Author:Michele L. Rivera [Rivera, Michele L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-01-08T16:00:00+00:00

18

Tatum

“I hope she’s okay,” I say to Heather as we trek down the hallways after lunch, on the way to our respective classrooms. “She looked upset when she was leaving the cafeteria with Cassidy. Do you think she’s upset?”

Heather raises her eyebrow. “She sure wasn’t happy. You know, you could always ask her if she’s okay.”

“No, I can’t.” I shake my head. “I made up my mind. I told her to leave me alone. And that’s that.”

Heather gives me a strong side-eye. “It’s clear to me that you care about her. Last time we talked, you were adamant about being there for her, but then you shut her out. Over text, no less. I honestly didn’t see that coming. I realize you made a decision to protect your heart. That’s smart. But it also doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing situation between you and Robin. There’s that middle ground we talked about yesterday, yeah? The one where you hear her out but set boundaries. If you’re worried about her, you can make a new decision to talk to her.” Heather points to her head. “Brilliant, huh?”

We slowly come to a stop in front of my sociology class. “I get what you’re saying, but I won’t change my mind. If I did, I’d be confusing her just as much as she confused me. That’s not fair.”

Heather crosses her arms across her chest. “Fair for who?”

My mouth drops a bit. “You told me not to be a chump.”

“I did, but the opposite of a chump isn’t apathy. Think about it.”

I knit my brows together. “You’re giving me a headache.”

“Because I want you to think. Tatum, why the sudden change of heart? You said you wanted to be there for her. You even went as far as to say that if the shoe were on the other foot, she’d be there for you. Going off what we just witnessed at lunch, now would be a good time to show her you care.”

I lean against the wall. “I didn’t make this decision lightly. I know what I said, but the thing of it is that every time I make myself available to her, she hurts me. And because I feel this invisible tie to her, I keep going back for more, only to get hurt again. Isn’t that the definition of crazy?”

Robin glances up at the flickering light in the hallway before looking at me again. “You told me she apologized. Let’s pretend she meant it. Then, she gave you her number. Maybe she had some epiphany about the connection you two share and truly wants to make amends. If it were you, wouldn’t you want her to hear you out?”

I furrow my brow. “Whose side are you on here?”

“Yours.”

I exhale. “Okay, then that’s that.”

Heather pinches her lips together. “No, man. It’s not. See, I think you’re trying to prove to Robin that she can’t get to you and that the only way you know how to do that is by staying away from her.

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