“What do you mean something not in my plan? I don’t have a plan.”

I just told you what you wanted to hear.” “Like you would let anyone push you to do something that wasn’t part of your plan? Sex on your six-month anniversary with Toby fit your plan. “If you hadn’t had sex, why did you push me to sleep with Toby?” “Can I ask you something?” I asked tentatively. It was such a contrast to her usual bright smile. “You won’t hate me for leaving, will you?” Jess appeared so vulnerable with her tear-streaked face. It wasn’t an excuse and I felt like an incredibly self-absorbed and horrible friend. She seemed so interested in him I didn’t see any reason to interfere. Jess was always so flippant about hooking up with guys that I hadn’t worried about her after the first night. Somehow, my “anything goes” friend had managed to get seriously hurt and I couldn’t help but feel responsible. “Oh, Jess.” I hugged her again and let her tears soak through my shirt. Guys always ask if you’re sure you want to… It’s always my way out.

Instead of asking why she had pretended to sleep with guys before, I asked the more immediate question. “It was my first time,” she mumbled and at first, I thought I’d heard her wrong. “Oh… Did he hurt you or something?” I asked, afraid of the answer. I sat down on the bed pulling her into my arms. He’d tried to get back together with her a few times, but she always refused. “Seriously? What happened to him being like a lost dog who can’t get a clue when he’s not wanted?” Jess had dumped her longtime boyfriend back in September because she wanted to have a fun senior year. “I don’t want to be here and besides Emmett texted me, I might try to work things out with him.”

Flight by Alyssa Rose Ivy