I don't know how long it's been. Days? weeks?  I've lost track of time.

After Eugene left that day, V and Jake came knocking at my room wanting answers but I was in no state to give them any. After what felt like hours they gave up and Jake left.

I guess V remained around the house since I could hear the water running in the kitchen, the tv playing with Matt talking aloud, the clinging of the dishes as the aroma of food spread across the house.

But I couldn't move, I didn't have the will to. It hurt me to know what Eugene did and more so what he felt about my situation.

I would rarely eat the food delivered by V in the room. It's been a day now, there is silence in the house.

Matt started asking questions so she left him at Jake's house for a few days and she went back home to get few of her stuff with her.

I've been ghosting Eugene's calls and his visits, but listening to him sit outside my door and talk to me, makes me want to face him but not yet. I haven't recovered.

I sigh and suddenly my door swings open, I look up and see Vivian

"Thats enough Jade". She says

"Leave me alone". I groan

"No, I've given you enough of your space" she says making her way towards me and pulling the blanket off my body.

"You stink, get up it's been 3 days. You need a bath". She says pinching her nose to avoid the stench from entering her nostrils.

She picks me up off the bed and pushes me to the bathroom, I notice the bad tub already filled. She helps me undress and settles me in the tub as she takes a seat on the stool near me scrubing my back.

"You need to face it head on Jade" she says in a low tone, like trying to carefully cross a bridge without breaking the rope.

"I know it's difficult but nothing will come out of you avoiding this. Eugene deeply regrets it, I can see it everytime he comes over. He sits outside your room for hours even after he stops talking."

I sniffle

"He is going through it just as bad as you are. Give it a chance okay?"

I feel the tears roll down my cheeks and cover my face with my palms. Vivian just pulls me into her chest, gently tapping my head.

The week was almost at its end as I found myself going dress shopping again for prom but I wasnt even sure if I would go to prom and with who although V kept telling me things would work out between me and Eugene but I still wasn't sure.

I somehow didnt know where to begin with facing him and questioning him or if I was even ready to hear his answer. I was afraid what if it hurts me even more so than now, what if I break more or lose myself. I was only thinking of myself just the way I used to before and somehow it was better.

I started going back to school with V, Matt's papers had to be done and I had to go with him for his interview visits. At the same time I looked through potential colleges for myself, I was still unsure but I still had a week remaining so I decided to devote the time I had left on the right things.

We sat at the cafeteria eating our lunch, V packed us her  signature dish Avacado hummus sandwich which were always a delight.

"Ladies" I look up and see Jake take a seat beside V and give her a peck on the cheek. Suddenly my mind drifts back to the conversation I had with Damon on the day he left.

Before damon could get on his flight, I met him at the airport an hour early. I had to know what he meant, we sat at the lounge while he got me an iced coffee.

"So what did you want to ask me?" he questions

"Well, you mentioned something about Vivian and Eugene at the same party earlier, I wanted to know more about that."

"Ah, it was a few years, I dont remember how long exactly but I was at this formal party waiting for Eugene when he shows up with Vivian."

"Together?" I interupted

"Yeah they did come together. Thats when i first saw her."

I felt weird. V always behaved like she did know him but not to the point of going to parties together and the fact that she hadn't mentioned this to me. 

Jake snaps his fingers across my face breaking me from my flashback.
"Did you hear me?" he says

"Sorry, I zoned out."

"Clearly. I was asking if you wanted to head to the movies with us this evening."

"Is it fine though? I dont want to interrupt now that you know you guys are together."

"Oh shut up. Why would you even ask her Jake. Jade you are coming and that is final."

I chuckle "Okay"

"Be ready by 7, I'll pick you both" Vivian says as she packs up her bag ready to leave.

"Where are you going?" I ask

"Cheerleading tryouts are today for the college team so I need to go practice. Come watch me this afternoon and be my lucky charm."

I laugh " Yeah I'll be there"

V and Jake share a kiss and she makes her way towards the exit. I see her smile and cross paths with Eugene and our eyes meet but I look away.

Jake looks at him and then at me and sighs "Would just please just talk?"

I look at him and down at the table trying to hold back tears, it was not because I'm reminded of how he made me feel, it was because of the look on his face, the one that seemed like he would start crying any moment. I couldn't bear to see it.

I feel Jake tap me on my head and then leave heading towards Eugene and they leave together.

I watch as their back disappears from my sight and sigh, still watching at the same space that he and V stood a while back, I still need to ask her about it.

I take the bus home with Matt, he joins school soon and I cant believe the time that has just flown by. Soon I'll be seeing my little brother play in the football field where I used to have my crushes.

I haven't gone to work yet, William called me for two days but stopped eventually but I know I shouldn't be doing something like this so I got in touch with him and took a week off for my supposedly college tours and interviews.

I will be joining back next week though since I have out numbered my off days. I make my way to the door already miss seeing Eugene's car up the driveway. I enter the house and as Matty makes him way to his room, I find myself standing alone in the living room. Taking the house in as it reminds me of one missing person who was always here. It felt lonely.

It's almost time for V to come pick us up so after dressing myself with a summer dress and caterpillar boots, I make my way to Jake's house. Apparently Matty doesn't need babysitting anymore and so my little brother has his own plan with his friends.

I ring the doorbell at Jake's house and hear him yell " Coming"

"You look pretty." he says closing the door behind him.

I smile, we are soon interuppted by V's car horn, I jump at the noise and hear both of them laugh.

Jake makes his way to the car and I follow behind, he gets in the front seat and as soon as he is out of my sight, I see a familiar figure sit on the backseat of the car.

I look closer and see a familiar ring on his finger, that's when I realise.

It's Eugene.