Tears of love

2. The breakup. [Part 1]

CHAPTER 2: The breakup.

"Here you go, girls" says Aunt Anne handing a piece of chocolate cake to Sadie and me.

"Thank you" we reply at the same time.

Aunt Anne smiles at us and then sits down next to Uncle Sergio to continue watching the movie.

I take the small spoon to the cake and poke at it without a hint of hunger.

"Are you all right?" Sadie asks next to me.

I watch her worried eyes for a long second, debating whether I should tell her the truth or not. Sometimes Sadie can be really harsh when it comes to a situation involving Jeremy. My blonde best friend hates that I love him because she says it only hurts me. And she might be right.

"Jeremy's not coming," I finally mutter under my breath, careful to make sure only she hears me. "What if something happened to him?"

Sadie looks at me with helplessness and sadness. And I don't know which of those two emotions makes me angrier.

"Aurora..." she says, trying to sound soft. "Jeremy is with Sabrina, chances are he won't even get to sleep. When are you going to stop worrying about him?"

I swallow the lump I feel in my throat at her words.

"You know I love him."

"Maybe you should stop loving him" she murmurs without looking at me.

I shudder at her words, though true and spoken because she wants what's best for me, it hurts.

"The problem is I don't know how to do it, Sadie."

She looks at me and the worry rises in her eyes.

"s**t, I'm sorry..." she puts the plate down on her lap and takes my hand to give me a little caress. "I just hate seeing you like this. You know I love Jeremy, but I love you so much more. You're like my sister, Aurora, and I don't like seeing you like this because of him. He's not worth it."

I notice Aunt Anne looking at us sideways, so I slyly wipe away the tear that falls from my eye and smile brightly, pretending again.

"Have you found another job yet?" I ask Sadie, changing the subject.

I eat a piece of cake as I wait for her answer.

Sadie lets out a snort and does something very characteristic of her, rolls her eyes.

"No, everywhere they ask for experience" she says. "I think I'll have to take the job at the bar."

I deny immediately.

"Are you crazy? You'd be out too late and tired..."

“Aurora, I have no choice... I have to raise money to get into college next semester, you know they denied my student loan.”

"You have the job at the restaurant, you'll get very tired working all day."

"They pay me too little there, it won't be enough" her voice sounds tired. "Tomorrow I'll call Easton and tell him I accept."

"Sadie..."

"Please don't look at me like that," she says pleadingly, but gives me a small, comforting smile. "It's what I have to do and you know it."

I remain silent, without answering anything. I don't like the idea of Sadie working late at night as a waitress in a bar where any drunk can do something to her. But I guess she's right, there's no other choice.

Sadie's father died when she was a child, and from then on, Sadie was left with only her mother Samantha. Soon, Sadie's mother married this obnoxious man named Rid, an important businessman in the country. But he really sucks and, unfortunately, Samantha joins his team. Sadie doesn't like the idea of paying for college with Rid's money, so she's decided to work all semester. That way, she can scrape together enough money to pay for next semester's literature study.

"At least you have a car," I tell her, causing her to let out a little laugh that fills my heart with joy.

"At least..." she whispers in amusement.

Although Sadie's car is not the latest model on the market, it is hers. I still remember the happiness on her face when, after months of saving, she finally managed to buy it.

"And how did the registration go?" She asks me, looking at the TV screen.

"Well, I met a boy" that immediately catches Sadie's attention who looks at me right away. "His name is Ryan, but don't get your hopes up, you know I don't have eyes for anyone but..."

"Jeremy!" Aunt Anne shouts and we all immediately look towards the door that has suddenly opened.

Jeremy walks in looking angry, his face hardened in a way that shows nothing but rage. He slams the door shut with a loud bang behind him and then silently walks up the stairs, not stopping to look at anyone.

"What happened to him?" Uncle Sergio asks Aunt Anne, both of them looking stunned.

It's not normal for Jeremy to come in like this, he always says hello and he's the calmest man on the face of the earth, this behavior is not like him.

"I'm coming" I stand up and without thinking of anyone but Jeremy, I go up to his room.