Alex swore as he pulled into the parking lot outside his building, narrowly avoiding a black sedan parked in his usual spot. Ten minutes later he was back in the car, reading through several texts Brianna had sent, the first of which was just after he had left for work.
*Good news :) Mom said yes!*
The next message was sent around the time his shift was over.
*When do you think you'll be here?*
The last text was sent thirty minutes ago.
*Alex? Are you even coming?*
Alex swore again and typed out a quick reply before taking off in the direction of Brianna's house.
*I'm on my way right now.*
Alex made the trip in record time while mostly managing to abide by the rules of the road. Mostly.
~~~
Brianna was furious, and hurt. How dare Alex get her hopes up and then not even respond to a single text throughout the entire day. It made her even angrier when her phone buzzed and a small part of her brain instantly perked up at the thought that it could be Alex, finally texting her back.
She ignored her phone and stared angrily at a slightly discolored spot on the ceiling. After a minute or two, she glanced at the device again, before searching out a spot on the wall. Finally the urge became too much to resist and, with a frustrated growl, she threw the covers off the bed and retrieved her phone.
Brianna's heart jumped in her chest when she saw the notification. It was Alex! And he was coming right now!
She fought down her excitement with righteous indignation. No! He ignored you all day, as soon as he gets here, we are going to give him a piece of our mind and send him packing.
Her newfound determination was almost ruined by the unmistakable hum of the Pontiac's engine pulling into her driveway, but she held on tight as she made her way downstairs, intent on giving him a rude awakening at the front door. Her Mom was once again at work, so she would be able to yell and curse to her heart's content without being reprimanded.
She swung open the door just as Alex stepped up onto the porch, letting every ounce of frustration show on her face.
"Took you long enough. Where were you all day?"
Alex felt a number of things. Regret, at having fallen asleep after his session at Ms. Suomi's house, and confusion at the aftermath of said session. He was also mad at himself, as well as sad because he had genuinely upset his best friend.
Brianna saw all of these things play across his face and the wind was almost taken out of her sails, but she resolved herself one
more time. It would take more than puppy-dog eyes for her to forgive him.
"Can we talk inside?"
Brianna stepped aside and let him pass before closing the door.
"This talk better involve you begging for forgiveness after ignoring me all, fucking, day."
Alex mentally cursed himself again as he took off his shoes and headed up the stairs to his friend's room. Brianna followed him up, glaring holes into the well-defined musculature of his back. No! She shook her head vigorously, banishing the unwanted thoughts.
Alex sat down on the bed while Brianna stood in front of him, arms crossed and angry faced. He sighed, placing his head in his hands before beginning his explanation.
"Yesterday, I may have omitted part of what happened during detention. Ms. Suomi gave me the opportunity to go to her house today after work in order to do some extra credit and studying in order to make up the six percent I'm missing. Some things... happened, while I was there. I ended up falling asleep, and just woke up a half hour ago. I'm sorry."
Brianna chucked, a hollow, bitter sound.
"Seriously, Alex? You expect me to believe this shit? You of all people should be able to come up with a better excuse than that."
When Alex didn't respond, she grew nervous.
"Alex. You're joking, right?"
He raised his head and shook it once, "I'm serious, Bree."
The silence stretched on for an indeterminate amount of time before Brianna finally broke it, her voice no more than a whisper.
"I can't believe you. I waited all day for you to text me back, and you were fucking our teacher."
He pulled at his hair as frustration at his own failure crept into his voice.
"I'm sorry, Bree. One minute we were studying and the next, it just happened."
The excuse sounded pitiful, even to him.
Brianna's anger simmered to boil.
"No! Stubbing your toe, is something that 'just happens'. Getting a flat tire is something that 'just happens'. Fucking our teacher, is NOT something that JUST HAPPENS! What the fuck is wrong with you?!"
She continued on, not waiting for a response.
"I shouldn't even be surprised. You've been keeping shit from me for the last year, so why not go ahead and blow me off for a blowjob. Not like our friendship matters to you anyhow."
Alex stood, "What are you talking about, Bree? Of course it matters!"
Brianna looked at him with disgust, "Really, Alex? Because you lied last night, and have been for months! How am I supposed to trust you if you won't tell me the truth?!"
"What the fuck are you talking about, Brianna? I just told you what happened."
She shook her head, "I'm talking about at last year when you were supposedly 'sick' and didn't talk to anyone for weeks. I've been patiently waiting this whole time for you to tell me what happened, but that day never came. You've dodged the question every time I bring it up and I'm fucking tired of it."
Suddenly, Alex knew what she was referring to. The suppressed memory of his parents murder fought to the surface like a drowning man gasping for air. He struggled to come up with a response as Brianna stepped forward and invaded his space.
"What happened? Did a girl break your heart?! Were you dating someone and she cheated on you?! Did you get addicted to drugs?!"
She was livid now, spouting off a dozen different angry reasons for his change in behavior.
"No Bree! I would never do drugs. What the fuck!"
"Well how would I know? You've been lying to me for MONTHS Alex! I've kept quiet and waited for you to come out and tell me, but it's been nearly a year! Do you know how that feels? To have your best friend lie to your face for a year?! To feel like they don't trust you?"
Alex tried to stammer out a response, "Bree, it's not like that. You don't- It's personal, I can't just tal-"
"It's PERSONAL?! I told you about my scars Alex. I was going to kill myself and I told you about it, and YOU got me through it. You are the only reason I'm still alive Alex. What in God's name is so bad that you would lie to me for an entire year?"
He hung his head, not noticing the thin stream of tears leaking down his face. She was right. Brianna had never lied to him.
"They're dead."
She stopped cold.
"What? Who's dead."
The tears were flowing freely now, running down onto his lips.
"My parents. They died right before they were supposed to come home from their anniversary vacation. Shot dead on the street by a couple of gang bangers. I didn't tell anyone and the police kept it under wraps."
