fragile

5

"M-miiiiiraaaa! Come ge-" Willow hiccuped, "-get me, pleaseeee!"

Mira winced away from the phone as Willow's voice rang through her ears. She hated it when she did stuff like that.

Going to parties were her choice. But she didn't like how Willow would always force her to go with her or call whenever she was drunk, puking on the side of the road or jumping off a pier with random guys whilst high.

She was her friend, not her personal bodyguard that had to always look out for her 24/7. Though, Mira knew by now that what she had with Willow wasn't a friendship.

It was plainly obvious that Willow only used her, but who was Mira to complain?

Mira sighed, wearily. "Where are you?"

Willow giggled the muffled sounds of some men in the background. "I'm at—" she hiccuped, "—Peter's party!"

"Who?"

"You know! Peter!"

"No?" Mira rubbed her forehead. "No, I don't know Peter, Willow."

"He's, like, the most popular guy ever and he's Mick's friend! It's the party of the year!"

"Okay, and?"

"Oh and he gave me some really strong drinks and then some of this white stuff and it's AMAZING."

"Why are you—I thought you were with Mick?"

"He left early 'cos we broke up again," she said, her voice small.

Mira felt a twinge of guilt despite herself. She felt as if it was her fault.

But was it really?

She sighed. "Again?"

They always did this.

One minute they acted as if they were in love, the next minute a huge fight would happen and they'd break up again.

And they both turned to Mira for help.

Or as a rebound.

She didn't mind at first because she liked the attention.

But it quickly got tiring.

When they got back together, they pretended she didn't exist.

She didn't matter to them.

It was just them.

Mick would always turn to her more than Willow, but she always thought it was in friendship.

And she liked that. She liked him once upon a time, but it was never meant to be. She was content with the relationship they had built.

But things were slowly crumbling; she was watching everything slowly unravel.

Mira would make jokes and she would act fine in front of them but it really hurt. The plain looks they gave her when she tried to make conversation was enough for her to stop trying.

Now whenever they made out in the cafeteria, she would silently eat her fries as she read her book.

Mira's head was starting to ache. She couldn't understand how an eighteen-year-old could be so irresponsible.

"Okay, Willow, listen to me. Just stay at the party, I'm coming. Can you tell me where you are?"

"I don't knowwww," she drawled. "Ask Peter!"

At this point, Mira was getting more than annoyed. She closed her laptop lid and crossed her legs on the bed, her stomach churning.

"Okay, give the phone to the Peter guy."