I wake and roll over with delicious portions of my body aching in proclamation of the previous night's madness.

"Hey there. Your braid is gone." Aden teases, making me grin. "Do you feel fine?"

"Yes, thank you. Ugh, I need to go to the pharmacy for a morning-after pill, but my body is so sore." I say, yawning.

"Did I hurt you?" he frowns.

His concern is so endearing.

"No, you brewed me so good - lemon balm loving style, and now I'm sore in all the right places that are just pleading with me to go back to sleep. But you could get me that pill and some pads."

I smile when he does, kissing my lips and nodding. I have that same stupid smile stuck on my face when I arrive at school despite it being Monday.

"Looks like I don't have a best friend when Aden Arrington is in town."

Danatha's voice trails after me as soon as I enter the hall. I coo, spinning to hug her and slinging my arm over her shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Danny. He's just better in bed."

"I sincerely doubt that."

"You doing okay?"

"Yep. I mean, there's some stuff with JD again, but-"

"That jealousy shit again?"

"Yeah." Danatha sighs. "I'm honestly growing tired of it. You know how I feel about jealousy."

"Tell him you're sick of it. I'm sure if he realises he could lose you over this, he'd stop."

"You think so?"

"I really don't like seeing you pouting." I comment, prompting her to ditch the frown.

"Forget it. How was the club?"

As we head to class, I give her a summary of my weekend. The classes drag on long enough. But soon, we're in the cafeteria chatting again.

"Where's Sybil? Matter of fact, where's Tonya?" I ask.

Danatha shrugs.

"Anyway, like I was saying, his behaviour is too erratic. One day he's wants short and sweet and the next he's singing about forever in your ear?"

I hate to admit it, but Danatha is right. She isn't saying anything I didn't pick up on myself.

"I don't know what to do. He seemed so sincere during both situations; like genuinely confused or something."

"Really? Yeah, that's another red flag. Why does he keep changing his opinion like underwear?"

I noticed that as well, but as per usual, I didn't want to focus on it. I just wanted to focus on the good. It's the virtue Aden loves most about me and the thing I'm beginning to see as my biggest detriment.

"Danatha," I hesitate, but figure if there's anyone who can help me sort through this mess, it's her. "What if he loves how gullible I am? What if he's using me and-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down. Slow it all the way down. That's not it."

"How do you know that? You're not-"

"I could have told you that months ago - just by the way he looks at you. There's no way he's deceiving you like that."

"The way he looks at me? What does that even mean?"

"He looks at you like he's invested.

Whatever's happening, he's clearly confused too. That isn't to say that you shouldn't take care because I don't care if he hurts himself; don't let him hurt you."

"I care." My voice is small - ashamed.

"I didn't say don't care, I know that's impossible - God knows how much I know that. But you can't do anything for him if he hurts you."

"Jude?" I guess, but Danatha instantly grimaces.

"We're not talking about me."

"I think we are."

"McKay-"

"I'm not letting it go."

"You're so annoying."

She glowers, but I stare her down.

"He's been calling continuously. I swear I need holy water for every time I hear him over the phone."

"What the hell is he saying to you?" I gasp.

"Things no girl in a relationship should be hearing; no matter how good it makes her feel."

"Danatha..." I shake my head at her.

"Look, that's why I cut him off; I know what's good for me. I don't pick up anymore because I can feel that something's not right and that he's going to hurt me if I let him. You need to think like me."

"Okay."

I nod, even though it's more than clear that our situations are not the same.

"But now he calls me so much that even JD started noticing. That's why he's been hounding me."

"Why don't you just block his number?"

Danatha squirms.

"I'm not quite ready for a step like that."

"What? You're going to risk losing JD just because you want to keep seeing Jude's name pop up on your screen?"

"JD should know better than to be jealous."

"No way. I'm on JD's side now. He ought to be."

"Oh, get lost." she dismisses, munching on her sandwich.

Just then, Sybil plops down next to us.

"Hey guys." she giggles.

"Hey Tweedy." I answer, amused. "What's going on with you?"

"I got into Pre-Med in Boston!" she screeches.

Danatha and I glance at each other before lunging forward to bearhug Sybil. We all screech in unison before I let go and move back to my seat, not caring that several heads have turned our way.

"Girl, I knew you would get in." Danatha cheers.

"I'm having a little celebratory get-together at my house tomorrow evening. It's only going to be the three of us and our guys."

I'm about to tell Sybil that I can't go when I see Cassidy and Amanda approaching.

"Incoming." I say, and both girls know what I'm talking about.

"Well, well, well. Billy boy is looking rather happy for a boy that's not a real boy." spits Cassidy as Amanda sniggers.
Sybil laughs and is about to turn to face them when Danatha, checking her nails out a little too attentively, mutters.

"Don't."

"You don't need to ask me twice."

She smiles and goes on her phone. I just look down. As per usual, there's nothing they hate more than being ignored.

"Who you texting, Billy? Geppetto?" Cassidy cackles.

"Nope. She's calling child protective services on your folks for picking up those tatters you call clothes from the calamity on 96th and making you wear it to school."

"Step away from her face, Ronald Macdonald." warns Amanda.

"With pleasure." I know it's too good to be true when Mackenzie steps away. She instantly continues. "Just wanted to relay that important message, since she asked. Otherwise, I have no reason to brave the sewer situation over there." She gestures at Cassidy's mouth which is hanging open. "Please close that before we're forced to dial waste control as well."

Even I can't help giggling at that while Danatha rolls her eyes and shoos them away from our table.

"This isn't the community shelter, guys. Move on. None of us think you're funny or even remotely intimidating."

"Let them stay. If I were them, I also wouldn't be able to stop fangirling."

Both Danatha and I raise our brows then start laughing. Danatha gives Sybil a congratulatory high-five.

"Now, that was a comeback."

"Hey!"

Mackenzie shakes my shoulder. I swat her hand off me.

"What?"

"My mom says she wants her dress back, unless you fucked Aden in it. In that case keep it; it's yours."

"I guess I have a new dress then."
I giggle as Sybil and Danatha smile.

"Ewww, wash your virginal blood off it please, and give it back. I need it."

"Get your own." I reply, making her scowl.

"Next time, I'll let Cassette tape and Bollywood Mandy Moore tear you and your melancholy posse to shreds."

"Fine. See if I care."

"Fine. Then I'll make Zeke have sex with me on your bed."

"Ha! Don't make me laugh. Zeke wouldn't come near you with-"

"What, he didn't tell you we're fuck-buddies?"

"What?!" I turn, shocked.

"You heard me. So, take your toothpaste-in-the-face-looking ass over to your house and bring back my dress."

I'm about to respond when JD comes out of left field and grabs Danatha's arm, pulling her up and making her squeal.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!" Danatha demands as I stand up.

"Hey, don't do that to her!"

"You're coming with me now. I want an explanation." he bellows and manages to yank Danatha away from the table.

I run after them as he walks impossibly fast with Danatha trailing behind him, shouting for him to let go. As he goes to open a door, he loses his grip over Danatha and I catch her as she falls back from forcing herself away from him. He reaches for her again once he's opened the door.

"In here."

"No!" I yell.

Danatha glances at me before going in.

"Danatha!"

JD starts closing the door and I stop him.

"This is private, McKay."

"It stopped being private when you dragged her out of the cafeteria."

We both hear Danatha's voice from inside the classroom.

"I want her here."

I try to shove past JD, but he holds my arm.

"I said it's private."

"She stays. If she goes, I go." JD starts saying something, but Danatha stops him. "John." she warns.

He huffs and slams the door as I go to Danatha's side. She's trembling, and her eyes are red. I hold her hand, trying to give her strength.

"You don't speak; got it?" he directs at me. I nod.

He takes out his phone and puts the screen in Danatha's face.

"Look what I found when I accidentally signed onto your Instagram page."

Danatha's eyes move quickly. I just see snippets as he scrolls. One after the other, screenshots of Jude's comments under Danatha's pictures.

He says she's sexy in one, he leaves hearts on the next, he leaves an eggplant with droplets on the next one, there's even a horse emoji on the one after that. Then her Direct Messages start appearing, and Jude is saying how much he wishes he could see her. He even has the audacity to describe how he would perform cunnilingus on her.

I glance at Danatha, afraid. This is too graphic even for me.

"By accident, huh?" Danatha mutters.

"Danatha!"

He grunts aggressively before deciding against it and covering his mouth, then covering his face with his hands to calm down.

I'm uneasy to be here any longer, because as it turns out, I agree with JD. I'm not the jealous type but even I would be angry at that. And of course, Danatha's being stubborn about the whole thing. I'm only keeping her hand in mine out of loyalty.

"You said this was nothing. I ignored the late-night calls. Then, I ignored it when he kept calling all the time-"

"No, you didn't. You came to my house in the middle of the night, remember?"

"I'm starting to lose my patience with you. Tell me the truth. Why is he still talking to you?"

Danatha's throat is working but she remains quiet.

"DANATHA!"

There are tears in JD's eyes now. Fucking hell, Danatha! He doesn't deserve this.

"It's me, John Dale: the guy you promised to love, be truthful and faithful to."

"I was faithful to you! And I have always and will always love you; you know that."

"And truthful? You didn't mention telling the truth."

His voice is small. I want to hug him. I've known him a long time and to see him in so much pain is tugging at my heartstrings, even though Danatha is my best friend and I should be standing by her.

"I..." Danatha begins but stops, and I realise too late that she's sobbing. I hug her torso trying to support her. She holds onto my shoulder and lifts her head to speak, her voice raspy.
"He's still talking to me because I never told him not to." she confesses, immediately covering her mouth as she dry-heaves.

Shit, I really shouldn't be here right now. JD kicks the door in anger.

"STOP IT!" Danatha screams at him and wipes her eyes, standing up straight.
I take that as a cue to move my arms, so she can talk directly to her boyfriend.
"That's just the way he is."

"What? Are you hearing yourself?! Are you hearing the stupid shit you're spewing?!"

"I have feelings for him."

"Huh!" JD rasps, exasperated, with a crazed look in his eyes. That's when Danatha decides to reach out to him.

"Baby, I know how this looks and sounds, but let me speak for a minute, alright?"

JD's eyes zig-zag as if he's at odds with himself. He settles for moving away from her, but still giving her his full attention.

"I met him, and it was instant; I just felt connected to him." JD'S eyes thin, but Danatha keeps going. "For some reason I can't let him go or shake him off. But baby, it's not sexual and I don't want to be with him in any kind of way. I just like talking to him as a friend."

I cringe internally. Why is she lying, for goodness' sake?

"But sometimes, I do catch myself liking his flirtations. I'm only going to say this once, so listen carefully: I love you and only you. I only want to love and be with you the way we've always been. Long before Jude came into my life, you had already been moving further and further away from me, and I miss you - fuck how I miss you.

"I didn't understand why you didn't smile at me when I smiled at you; I still don't. You don't even get me flowers anymore, John! You always leave straight after we have sex. I feel like a whore! I keep wondering how I'm in a loving relationship and still manage to feel that way. I really shouldn't have to.

"Unfortunately for you, I met Jude and he just speaks his mind and says what he wants. I'd rather he treat me like a hoe, because I'm not in love with him like I am with you. I would expect that from him; but you? I can't bear it if you don't love me anymore. So, I guess what I'm asking is where the hell have you been, and do you even still love me?"

Holy fuck. I didn't know that was happening in my best friend's relationship? How didn't I notice it? But then again, it seems I don't notice anything about my closest friends if Mackenzie is to be believed. Either way: I am so proud of Danatha for telling the truth. JD shakes his head.

"I don't know. We were fighting so much at one point. I guess I just switched off and pretended like I wasn't hurt by everything we went through.
"But baby, I love you more than anything, you have to know that. I don't want to lose you. It's literally driving me crazy to even think for a second that you want to leave me."

"Ugh, John. You were never about to lose me - not even when my body was ninety percent loneliness and only ten percent blood and water, and Jude was sleeping right next to me shirtless. I love you too much to ever walk out on you that easy. I'll only leave if you make me."

Danatha hesitantly steps towards JD, but he remains in place, lips pursed and eyes frantically scanning hers.

"John. Please."

JD's jaw keeps working until he finally looks over Danatha's shoulder at me.

"McKay, could you...?"

"Yeah, yeah."

I hug Danatha and slip out.

I watch for a bit from the small netted window in the door. JD holds Danatha's hands.

She then hugs his torso and they finally kiss. I've seen them kiss multiple times, but this kiss is too intimate for me to witness. I spin on my heel and leave.