Chapter Thirty Four

"Did you hear that?" JC asked.

"Yeah," Lance said. "She's pretty mean."

"I know!" JC said. "I should have never gotten involved with her."

"You're right," Lance answered. "Sasha and Eryn were two huge mistakes."

JC nodded in agreement.

***

Sasha grabbed her jacket and started to walk out the door. She walked past her car, and down the street. Two familiar figures were coming towards her. Sasha quickly withdrew a Kleenex from her pocket and wiped her tears. The two figures were closer, and she knew who they were.

"Hey, guys," Sasha said, turning her head away from them.

"Hey Sasha," Chris answered.

"Hey," Joey said. "What's wrong?"

Sasha turned to them. "Nothing, why?"

"Because it looks like you've been crying," Joey answered. "Are you sure nothing is wrong?"

"No," Sasha said, "but I can't talk about it. Anyway, I am sure you will hear it from JC."

"JC?" Joey asked. "Why?"

"Because I can't stand him," Sasha said.

"Did you guys break up?" Chris asked.

"Definitely," Sasha said. "And we are not getting back together. Ever."

When Sasha looked away, Joey smiled at Chris. "That's too bad," Joey said.

"No, it's not," Sasha said. "I don't need pity, okay? If anyone asks, I went to Shane's."

"Who's Shane?" asked Chris.

"A co-worker. And the reason me and JC broke up," she started to walk away. "Well, see you guys."

"See you," Joey said, puzzled.

"Bye," Chris said.

***

Eryn opened the passenger side of the car, and helped Justin out. It was after six, and they were finally home from the doctor.

"Ow," Justin said, as he hit his head on the top of the car door.

"Sorry," Eryn smiled sympathetically.

"They gave me so much medication I can't even see," Justin said, groggily.

"Yeah," Eryn said. "Do you want to sleep it off?"

Justin slightly nodded. "I think that's a good idea."

"Okay," Eryn unlocked the door, and helped Justin in. "Where do you want to sleep?"

"A bed," Justin said. "If that's okay."

"Yeah," Eryn said. "How about my room?"

"Okay," Justin said.

Eryn helped him up the stairs, and put him into bed. "How's that?"

"Great," Justin smiled. "Thanks so much. This is still all a dream to me."

"Well, I am glad I stopped being so stubborn," Eryn said. She kissed him gently on the forehead. "Have a good sleep. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Okay," Justin said. He closed his eyes.

Eryn watched him. He looks so peaceful, she thought. This is definitely not a mistake. His breathing became steady and Eryn knew he was asleep.

She kissed him again and gently squeezed his hand, then walked out of the room.

***

Shane opened the door of his apartment. "Sasha!" Shane said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Tears streamed down Sasha's face. "Shane. Hi. Did JC really talk to you?"

"Yeah," he said. "What's up with him?"

"Well, I was right there... he was my boyfriend." Sasha said. "But he treated me like crap. So last night, he saw us at the restaurant. Me and him did have plans, but I didn't tell him about you. I just went with you. He flipped out on me when I got home."

"So..." Shane hesitated. "I never meant to... I didn't know you were together..."

"That's okay," Sasha said quickly. "It's not like we kissed or anything."

"I know," Shane said. "But I still feel bad. How come you didn't tell me?"

"Because... I don't know," Sasha answered him, looking away.

"Sasha," Shane chose his words carefully. "Did you ever really, truly love JC?"

"Yeah," Sasha said. "And then he hurt me."

"Did you learn to love him after that?" Shane asked.

"Yeah," Sasha sighed. "What are you getting at Shane?"

"Hold on," Shane told her. "Okay, could it be, that... you went out with me to show JC what it feels like to be hurt?"

"Shane!" Sasha exclaimed. "That's not why!"

"Seriously," Shane looked in her eyes. She looked away. "Tell me, Sasha."

Sasha stared at Shane, registering his words. After minutes of silence, she answered. "How did you know?"

***

Joey and Chris walked in the front door. They took off their shoes, and walked into the living room.

"Hey everyone," Chris said, referring to Eryn, Lance and JC. "How are you all?"

"Good," Eryn said. "Well, okay, I guess. Not great. Not fabulous. I am somewhere in-between, I guess. How are you guys?"

Joey laughed at the long answer. "Not bad."

"Same here," said Chris.

"Well," Lance said. "I'm leaving. I don't want to sit in here another second. The first minute was okay. But not now."

"I'll leave with you," JC said. "See you."

"Bye," Joey, Chris and Eryn answered.

JC and Lance walked out of the room. "Congratulations." JC told Lance.

"Why?" Lance asked.

"Because, when Eryn sat in there, you didn't say a word to her. I don't think she noticed though. I'm glad we left. Too much tension." JC said.

"I don't know if she knows about the letter," Lance said.

"Yeah, I couldn't tell," JC said.

***

Damn, Eryn thought. I have to get Lance alone to ask him about the letter. And I have no idea why he left. Maybe he's mad at me about something.

Suddenly, realization hit Eryn. Oh God, she thought. The flowers. The card. I should have been able to figure it out. Lance thought that the date was for me and him.

"Eryn?" Chris repeated. "Are you there?"

"Oh, sorry," Eryn smiled. "I was just thinking."

"About JC and Sasha?" asked Joey.

"No," confusion settled in Eryn. "Why would I think about them?"

"Because they broke up," Joey said. "Didn't you know?"

"No," Eryn said slowly. "They did?"

"Yeah," Chris said. "You have to talk to Sasha about it though. I don't want to start anything, by saying the wrong thing."

"I understand," Eryn said. "Where is Sasha?"

"She said she was going to Shane's," Chris said.

***

"Listen, Sasha," Shane said. "I knew because I am a smart guy. I've had serious relationships... well, only one... that shouldn't be plural. Anyway, we broke up after three years. But we always tried to make each other jealous. You still love JC. I liked you. I thought you were pretty, and nice. I never knew you had a boyfriend. Now you may not want to get back together with him, but being with me would be a big mistake. I'm sorry."

"You're right," Sasha said. "I'm sorry, too."

"That's okay," Shane said. "But I would like it if we could still hang out and stuff. Just nothing more."

"That would be great," Sasha said. "I don't want to get back together with JC, but you helped me see things better. Thanks."

"No problem," Shane said. He hugged her. "If you ever need anyone, just call me."

"Thanks," she said. "But I better go. I haven't seen my best friend in a few days. She's probably wondering what's going on."

"Okay," Shane said. "Are you working tomorrow?"

"No," Sasha said. "Are you?"

"Yeah," Shane said.

"Okay, well, maybe I'll come see you," Sasha said. "Bye."

"Bye," Shane answered.

***

Eryn sat on the front porch waiting for Sasha to come back. She looked at her watch. It's almost nine... where is she? Suddenly she saw someone walk up the driveway.

"Sasha?" she called.

Sasha ran up. "Eryn!" she said, hugging her. "How've you been?"

"Not that good," Eryn admitted.

"Me neither," Sasha agreed. "I really need my best friend right now."

"So do I," Eryn said.

Sasha began to talk about her, JC and Shane. After she finished, and Eryn gave advice, Eryn began on her story. Soon, it was past midnight, and the two girls went up to bed.

End of Chapter Thirty-Four