Macaronic

Chapter Twenty-Five

     A few weeks had passed, and I was spending less and less time at Red's side. Thankfully, he was slowly becoming healthier and doing more. I just hated that I wasn't there to see it all. I had to be home as much as I could to keep Ross content.

     Handling priorities is the worst. You don't know what should come first, what's more important.. because you're just focused on keeping everybody happy. You don't want to prioritize the wrong person or thing because it may end up ruining everything, but there's no way to know exactly how things will turn out. It's a mess.

     Action expresses priorities. What you act on is what's more important. You have to be set on what you act on and what you don't. There's always going to be two really important things, but just one that's more valued. If you try to catch two rabbits at once, you'll lose them both and prove your time wasted. Priorities show character, they show what you're passionate about. I can't decide what I'm more determined towards, my best friend or my boyfriend.

     I was laying in bed awake, keeping my eyes on the ceiling. Ross had fallen asleep hours ago, but my mind kept talking. I was beating myself up every second, it seemed. I was so tempted to climb out of bed and head up to see Red, but a part of me pinned me down, telling me it wasn't worth losing Ross. What the heck?

     My phone was resting on the bedside table. As I laid there, Red messaged me, the light shining onto the ceiling. I sat up a little, going slow so I didn't wake Ross.

"Hey," was all it said.

     I sighed, knowing Red was going to ask where I had been. My gut twisted and turned, thinking about the confrontation.

"Hey," I replied.

"How've you been?" He asked.

"Good, and yourself?"

"Good,"

"Good,"

     It was awkward, I knew he was trying to keep it casual, but I knew there was a conversation to be had about this. It was a given.

"How's Ross?" He asked

"He's doing good. He's glad I've been home more,"

"I bet. You're nice company,"

"...I'm sorry I haven't been around as much. I don't want to set Ross off. But trust me, I'll be in soon," I texted

"Don't make it a priority, I know how important relationships are," He insisted, but it just made me feel bad.

"Oh yeah, how's Shelby?" I asked.

"Good, I think. She doesn't come much anymore either. Mostly just my parents ever other day," He told me.

     That really made me feel terrible. Red deserved all the attention in the world, and I hated that Shelby was hardly giving him any. She needed to be there more than anyone else, and broke my heart to here that even she was drifting away. I don't think she realized what was at stake.

"I'll talk to her, she should be there with you," I sent.

"It's no biggie, I can manage," He insisted, but I wasn't having it.

     Ross stirred in his sleep and eventually woke up, just as the sun was peeking through the blinds, cascading a pinkish-orange glow on the wall.

"Morning," He grumbled.

"Hey," I said softly, my mood dampened from what Red told me.

     Ross climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom to shower and get ready for work. I dressed myself and sat in the livingroom. My messaging was open to Shelby's contact, the cursour blinking as I thought up what to say. I went simple.

"How's Red?"

"He's doing good,"

"Really?"

"Yeah... why?"

"I have word that you haven't been up there that much,"

"I've been busy with work," She claimed. No way I was buying that.

"Wanna meet up for lunch? At the food court, sushi? I wanna talk," I said.

"Sure, see ya,"

     Once Ross was ready, we headed out to the offices, picking up doughnuts along the way for everyone. When we got in, I went to my station and put on some music, keeping myself calm. I saved my rage for lunch.

     When noon rolled around, I was the first one out of the building. I didn't want Ross following me, and I knew they were going out for burgers.

     I arrived before Shelby. I sat at a booth in the corner and ordered for the two of us. She came in a few moments later and sat across from me.

"You wanted to talk," She said.

"Yeah. I'm just gonna come right out and say it. I'm pretty fed up with you, not being there for Red and acting suspicious. What's going on?" I said.

     She took a moment to respond which worried me. But I tried to keep a stern look.

"Honestly.... I'm going to break up with Red," She said.

"What? Why?" I questioned.

"Well... I met someone. I really like him, we've gone out a few times," She said.

"Shelby! You're really going to do that to him? He doesn't need that right now!" I exclaimed.

"I can't be with him anymore, and you can't make me stay with him. There's not enough love to keep me here, so I'm breaking things off," She said.

"Geez, Shelby," I huffed.

"What? I've don't it before,"

"Of course you have," I said, rolling my eyes.

"I did it to you and you turned out fine. I don't see why you're so upset," She shrugged.

"Wait, what?"

**A/N: THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!! I love reading your comments and reactions, they're so cute. Also, please be sure your comments are appropriate. If they aren't, I'll be deleting them & blocking you. If you're trying to be funny during serious moments, it ruins the moment, and I will block you! Sorry it has to come to that, but it's happened MULTIPLE times.. thanks!! 💖**