The Game of Love

The Game of Love Chapter 33

Sarah:

Leon waited at my front porch. Once I stepped out of the car, he walked over to me, trying not to look hasty. “Where have you been?” And before I could answer, he replaced it with a different question, “Are you okay? You look like you’ve been crying…”

As though we’re telepathically talking to each other, I shot him a look that said “It’s about Seth, I’m sure you understand what happened.” In realization, he said in a low voice, “So he told you.” I nodded. “That idiot should have told you earlier,” he muttered. Cupping my face in his hands, he examined my face before pulling me into a big hug. I was cocooned in his arms, his warmth, and I wanted to do nothing but stay in this position where I’m safe, warm, and secure.

After a moment of silence, he asked into my ear, “How are you feeling?”

I sighed, holding in a sob, “Crappy, cruddy, pissed off, depressed…et cetera.” Leon stroked the back of my head, continuing to comfort me. “Stupid Seth,” was all I could say, but instead of a steady voice, it sounded shaky—I was about to break. “God, I hate being so damn emotional like this.”

“Well you being emotional like this show just how human you are and the fact that you mind about being kept from a secret—most especially if it’s from a best friend,” he murmured.

“You say the most clichéd things ever, you know that?” He gave a low chuckle, lightening the mood.

“I know…but you love it.”

I smiled in response as I said teasingly, “Shut up.”

* * * *

Mondays, I absolutely hate them. I don’t think I need to repeat myself about that—after all, who doesn’t hate Mondays? And due to yesterday’s fight with Seth, it makes today even worse. When I got to school, he didn’t bother to ask, beg, for me to forgive him. He knows me too well to know that I shouldn’t be bothered when I’m utterly pissed—especially when he’s the reason. However, he’d still look at me with those pleading eyes, but I only ignored them. Even at lunch, we never spoke to each other—Leanne, Sophia, and Leon didn’t bother to press onto the matter. I wasn’t ready to accept it—I wasn’t ready to talk about it.

Seth will be leaving this Friday. At least, that’s what I’ve been told. But I wasn’t ready to bid my goodbyes to my best friend—the one that’s like the older brother I wished I had (minus those certain four/five days). I was going to miss him greatly—Leanne and Sophia were just friends that didn’t entirely understand me like Seth. But I can’t replace Seth. Lee and Soph are only helpful with all the typical girl problems—Leon is my soon-to-be-boyfriend. No one can replace the older brother position Seth had.

By the end of the day, Seth made a stop by my locker, asking if we could talk about this—I said no. I’m being absolutely cruel to him, but it still irritates me that he’s told me too late in advance. I wasn’t prepared—I would’ve been already if he told me a month ago. Now, I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that he’s leaving on Friday. This is his last Monday here, tomorrow his last Tuesday, and so on and so forth.

One thing’s for certain: He can’t leave California when we’re like this.

This whole ignoring each other continued on for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I knew I couldn’t hold my anger towards him anymore. He’s leaving in two days—but I feel like it’s too late already.

Seth was at his house, finishing all the packing. As for me, I parked at the curb, lean on my car, waiting for him to notice that I’m here. When he does, he puts down a huge box and rushes right over. “Sarah…”