April

Matt

I lifted my face towards the sky, letting the warmth from the sun wash over me. It was the first time in months that I felt okay.

It didn't mean that I was going to break out into flips and cartwheels right there on the lawn, but the wounds from Vanessa turning me down were slowly healing and I was moving on with my life.

"Hey, gorgeous," a voice greeted, interrupting my thoughts. Opening my eyes, I saw Kayla approaching with a picnic basket.

Beneath the leaves of my favorite oak tree, I watched as she pulled out a checkered, red blanket and spread it out amongst the grass. "Hi, beautiful," I responded, gesturing for her to come closer and give me a kiss.

She bent over, placing a quick peck on my lips.

"More," I urged, grinning.

She laughed and gave me another, a little bit longer this time. "You're in a good mood today," she commented as she opened the basket and fished out two turkey sandwiches.

"Just happy to spend some time with my favorite girl." Boy, I was laying it on quite thick. I took a bite from the food she handed to me, suddenly feeling ravenous.

She watched me eat, a slow smirk spreading across her face.

"What," I asked through a mouthful of meat, cheese, and lettuce.

"You have a little something right here." She pointed to the side of her mouth.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand.

"It's still there," she said chuckling. Reaching over, she gently dabbed at the corner of my lips with a linen napkin. Leaning back, she smiled. "All gone."

Our gaze met, the heat simmering between us. The day was bright, warm, and the birds were chirping in the trees. With Kayla's hair styled in a side braid and her wearing a blue gingham dress with wedges, the whole scene felt as though it were right out of a novel.

Except, I didn't love her and didn't think I ever would. But I cared about her. Even though I knew deep down that she was only using me, part of me sympathized with her longing to be accepted in this world. I could relate to her desire to feel like she mattered to someone. And at this point, she was my only friend and being with her was better than being alone.

She wasn't all bad though. She could be sweet towards me sometimes. Such as right now, when she had surprised me with a picnic date. Even though our interests mostly differed, we managed to find some common ground to make our outings equally fun for ourselves.

Just last week, we went to the aquarium and the day had actually turned out pleasant.

"Look at the penguin," Kayla squealed, pointing at the black and white creature waddling on a wet rock.

Smiling, I smushed my face up against the glass to get a better look as it dove into the cool water for a swim. In that moment, it dawned on me that I was starting to live my life again. I had somehow pieced back together the shattered fragments of losing Vanessa and found a way to keep on going.

It may have been a shoddy repair, held together with only the flimsiest of tapes, but I was surviving. I was so swept up in the constant flurry of activities that my girlfriend had planned for us, that I found myself thinking less and less about my former friends.

We strolled hand and hand as we made our way through the various exhibits, commenting on the actions of the different animalsAs we moved to a coyote enclosure, the grey clouds that had been lingering throughout the overcast day finally broke and sent sheets of rain down from the sky in droves. Kayla shrieked, sprinting into a nearby tunnel.

Looking up in awe, I realized that this wasn't just any tunnel. Shimmering water reflected from all around us and a school of tropical fish in colors of blue, yellow, and orange swam overheard.

We laughed, our clothes now soaking wet from the surprise storm. "It's so pretty," she breathed.

"It really is," I muttered, my eyes affixed on her curling, damp tresses. In the dark of the tunnel, I pressed her up against the glass and placed my hands on either side of her face. Lowering my mouth to hers, I planted a deep kiss upon her lips. She moaned softly as she ran her fingers through my hair.

I raked my fingers down the bare skin of her arms before hoisting her up. Her lips never left mine as she wrapped her legs around my waist. We stayed in our passionate lip lock until the rain slowed down to a drizzle and the sun poked its rays out from behind the clouds.

It was the first time since last summer that I felt like my heart wasn't being ripped out of my chest. Kayla wasn't my dream woman, and I didn't know what the future would hold for us or if we would even stay together when she went off to college, but it was the beginning of a tipping point for me.

I realized that I could finally open the doors to loving someone that wasn't Vanessa. And whenever that person presented themselves, I knew that I would be ready.

Matt

I hadn't been ready for the punch Troy threw my way. Which is how I ended up in the middle of the school hallway, nursing my swollen eye with a cool paper towel.

All the built-up aggression I had towards him and Scott throughout the years finally got the best of me, and I had snapped. Lashing out, I pummeled him in a blind rage until our gym teacher had stepped in and broken us up. But I regretted nothing and knew I would do it again in a heartbeat.

"I know black is your favorite color, but don't you think you might be taking it a bit too far with that bruised eye of yours?"

I glanced up to see Addison approaching me, her purple, sequin top shimmering in the light. "You do realize this isn't a rave, right," I asked as she sat beside me. "This is a place of learning."

"And this isn't a boxing ring either," she replied, eyeing my injury.

"Not now, Addie," I sighed, readjusting the cloth and wincing as pain radiated throughout my face. That Troy could throw quite a punch.

She furrowed her brows as she studied me. "I just came to see if you were okay." She held up her hands. "I swear, I come in peace."

Exhaling, I leaned back against the wall. "I had to do it, Addie. The jokes on my mother just wouldn't stop. I couldn't take it anymore."

"Shh. I get it. You don't have to explain yourself to me." She removed the paper towel from my hand and gently dabbed at my cheek with it. She sucked in air through her teeth. "That's going to be a hell of a shiner, come tomorrow."

I glanced up at her as she cradled my face while she worked. "Thank you," I said softly.

She met my gaze. Several seconds went by as we stared at each other wordlessly. "You know, I don't actually think it would be horrible to date you," she whispered.

Nodding, I held her eye contact. She set the cloth down before moving her fingers back up to my face, brushing away a stray lock of hair. Her touch lingered as she lightly caressed my cheek. "I miss you," was all that she said.

She looked at me a moment longer before dropping her hand to her side. Clearing her throat, she stood up. "I should get back to class before I get into trouble." She smiled as our eyes met once more. "You've already managed to get me suspended once."

She turned to walk away, the sound of her heels filling up the quiet as they clicked on the tile. "Addie, wait," I called after her.

"Yea," she asked, shifting to face me.

"I have something to tell you..."

Chewing on her lip, she raised a brow at me. "What is it?"

"I really hate that perfume you wear."

Rolling her eyes, she tossed the wadded-up paper towel at me. I laughed as I dodged it. "I hate you," she said.

I stuck my tongue out at her. "You love me though."

Vanessa

Addison flipped through an issue of Vogue as I laid beside her on the bed, trying to complete my math homework. "So, I've been thinking," I announced, setting my pencil down on my textbook.

Raising an eyebrow, she glanced over at me. "If this idea ends up with me sneaking into the boy's locker room again then consider me all for it."

I giggled. "Bobby Fisher was so mad. I can't believe he ratted you out to the superintendent."

"I know, right," she replied, rolling her eyes. "We can all thank him for needing a fob to access the changing rooms now."

"Because he's the only one to blame," I teased, giving my best friend a playful nudge with my shoulder. "But no, that wasn't the idea." Sitting up, I crossed my legs and set a glittery, silver pillow on my lap as I faced Addison. "As you know, I've been dating Devin for about four months now, and you two have yet to really meet. I would love it if we could all get together and hang out."

Addison sat up. "You mean like how you, me, and Matt used to do?" She shook her head. "Sorry, V but lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice."

I took her hand in between mine. "Addie, come on. You're both important to me and I want you two to get to know one another."

She gave me an exaggerated sigh. "Fiiiine. But there better be French fries."

"Yay," I exclaimed, shaking her arms. "I promise."

Addison had her chin propped in her hand as she dragged a soggy fry through a pile of ketchup. She had barely uttered a word all throughout lunch at the diner, which was very unlike her.

Devin exchanged a glance with me before clearing his throat. "So, Addie," he began. "What do you like to do for fun?"

"Play with dead animals that I find on the side of the road," she answered dryly.

He furrowed his brows. "Oh, you mean like taxidermy?"

She sighed. "No. I play dress-up with them and pretend they're my babies."

"Oh."

My friend avoided making eye contact with me so she couldn't see the glare I was shooting her. "You're on the dance team," I interjected. "Why don't you tell Devin about that? He loves sports."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, you see, they play this thing called music and I move my body in rhythm to it. That's something known to the people of Earth as dance." She said the last word slowly as though she were teaching Devin a new language.

Devin nodded as he accepted a plate of salsa fries from the waitress. He gestured at Addison's food. "Nessa tells me you're a fry connoisseur."

She finally looked up at me and arched a brow. "Is that right, Nessa? They're okay," she answered, shrugging.

"Come on, Addie," I cut in, shifting in the vinyl booth. "You're obsessed with them."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Not anymore. Obsessions change, Vanessa. You, of all people should know a thing or two about that."

Okay, so maybe she was a tad bitter that I was dating Devin instead of Matt.

Devin cleared his throat again as he nudged his plate towards Addison. "Well, feel free to try some," he offered, grinning broadly. "They're really tasty. Maybe, it will spark your love for them again."

Addison grimaced at the food as though he had just tried to get her to consume a pile of moldy goo. "I'm all set," she replied sternly.

She yelped as I gave her a swift kick beneath the table. "Be nice," I mouthed.

She rolled her eyes. "So, Devin," she began, propping her head on her hands as she stared at my boyfriend. "Did you ask your parents for your Porsche, or did they gift it to you as a surprise?"

He gave a small laugh, shifting his gaze away from her. "I...asked."

Sitting back against the booth, she folded her arms. "I see," she said, looking him up and down. "So, appearances are important to you, then?"

I sputtered on the sip of water I had been drinking. What had possessed me to believe this was going to go well? Addison was the queen of speaking her mind.

"Er..." He coughed. "Well, no. I wouldn't say that."

"Ah. You just dress in Adidas and Nike because the store brands were all sold out?"

Devin gave another laugh as he looked over at me. "I like those clothes, yea."

Addison nodded. "Mhm, so it matters to you how someone dresses? Let's say, if someone were to throw on a no name t-shirt and a faded pair of jeans, that would count as a fashion don't in your book?"

He scowled at her. "I wouldn't care. Just for me, I prefer those brands."

"Because you take weight in other's opinions? Then I guess what your girlfriend wears is relevant too, right?" She leaned in towards him. "It must be. You're popular. You wouldn't want people to think you can't afford the best. Or the people you associate with either. That would just be embarrassing."

I gave my friend another nudge. Please stop, I willed her.

He bit his lip. "Um...would you like a fry? They're really good."

Addison threw her hands up in the air. "I'm just trying to have a philosophical conversation, here. Does no one care about deep thinking anymore?"

She slid out of the booth, heading in the direction of the restroom. I immediately followed her, pulling her aside as soon as the door closed. "What's gotten into you," I spat out.

Turning on the faucet, she held her hands beneath the running water. "I'm sorry, V. I tried. But I don't like the guy," she admitted.

"Why not," I demanded, placing my hands on my hips. "He's being really nice to you. You don't even deserve it, at this point."

She made eye contact with me in the mirror. "He's phony."

I scoffed. "You mean, he's not Matt."

Addison pressed the soap dispenser, the liquid foaming out into her palm. "Matt has nothing to do with this." She shrugged. "Devin puts on this show of being a genuine person, but then he rides off in his sports car while flashing his hundred-dollar bills. I don't buy that he's as nice as you claim."

Shaking my head, I pointed my finger at her as I took a step forward. "You're just saying that because he doesn't tease and banter with you like Matt did. Sorry that my boyfriend doesn't find flirting with you to be appropriate."

"Gross," she retorted, curling her lip up in disgust. "Matt and I never flirted."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, give me a break. You two couldn't resist harping on each other any chance you got. I was always waiting for it to escalate into you both ripping your clothes off and going at it right there in front of me."

My friend held her palms up. "Listen, it's not my fault he was an easy target to pick on."

"Whatever," I replied, turning to leave. "I don't care. I'm happy with Devin. If you wish so badly to have Matt back in your life, why don't you just date him? You have my blessing."

With that, I strode out the door. I wouldn't let Addison's words get to me. I knew what was what with my boyfriend. He wasn't fake and he cared about me. Devin's perfect.