"Do you wanna go back to Art's and Doris's house?" I asked.
"Sure," she said. The diner wasn't too far from their house, so we were there in no time.
When we parked the car and got out, we noticed that Justin and Chris were sitting on the porch. They immediately got up when they saw us. They both looked pissed.
"Justin, what's wrong?" Maricar asked.
He said nothing, but looked at me with pure hatred.
"What?" I asked and looked at Chris. He was also giving me that look.
"You know Jen," Justin said sarcastically, "I remember you saying that you don't sleep around."
"Why would she say that to you?" Maricar asked.
"Stay out of this," Justin said.
"I don't," I said.
"That’s not what we were told," he said.
"Obviously the person who said that is lying," I said.
"No, he wasn't," he said.
"Yes, he was. Now, who said that?" I said. I felt like I got punched, where were these lies coming from?
"We were at the mall," he said.
"You were spying on us?" Maricar asked.
"I said, 'Stay out of this," he said.
I looked down at the floor and ran my hand through my hair, trying to make sense of all this. I know who said it, but why would they believe him?
"Josh told us everything," Chris said quietly, finally speaking.
At this point, I blew up, I was so mad. I looked over at Maricar and her eyes got real big as she processed what he was saying. "You believed him! You fucking believed him! How could you," I screamed.
"It's the truth," Justin said cockily.
"If you think you’re so smart and that is the truth, then goodbye. I don't need this shit right now," I said and walked into the house.
"And you think Chris does?" Justin shouted after me.
"You assholes," Maricar said, "he didn't tell you everything. He didn't tell you that she said no, that she refused that he fucking raped her! He didn't, did he?"
"What?" Chris said.
Maricar ran into the house and followed me upstairs. By this point I had gathered some of my stuff. "Let me help you," she said and helped me pack.
"Jen," Chris said and walked into the room, "I'm sorry, I didn't know."
I ignored him and finished packing.
"Jen," he said curtly and grabbed my arm, turning me to face him.
"What?" I asked sharply.
"I'm sorry," he said remorsefully.
I yanked my arm from his grip and furthered the distance between us. "Do you wanna know why I didn't tell you?" I asked.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because I knew you wouldn't believe me," I said and sat down on the bed.
"I would have believed you," he said, "I know how honest you are."
"Then you don't know much about me. I don't tell you don't a lot of things. Do you know how much I despise you right now, but at the same time, love you?" I asked, but then brought my hand to my mouth. I said too much.
He just sort of stood there, looking at me. I knew he would act this way. "I have to go," I said and grabbed my bag. I waited for him to say something, anything, but he didn't. "Bye," I said and left the room.
As I walked downstairs, Doris came out of the kitchen. "Jen, where are you going?" she asked.
"I have to go now, but it was nice seeing you again," I said and gave her a hug.
"Art, come here," she said and he walked into the room.
"Thank you for letting me stay here," I said and gave him a hug, "bye." I walked out of the house and to my car. I put my bags in it and got in. As I pulled the car out, Chris walked out of the house and watched me go. A part of me wanted to stop the car and run up to that man, give him a big kiss on the lips and tell him I forgive him. But the other part wanted me to keep driving. That part won.
I was just outside of Pittsburgh when I lost it. I pulled over as I cried my heart out. I really did love him, and I think I just lost him all over again. I jumped in surprise my car phone's shrill ringing grabbed my attention. "Hello?"
"Jen, who are you?" Maricar asked.
"Fine, I guess," I said.
"Where are you," she asked.
"Just outside of Pittsburgh," I said.
"Oh," she said, "after you left, Chris looked himself in his room. He's still in there and I don't think he's coming out for awhile."
"I think I scared him. Me and my big mouth," I said.
"He'll get over it," she said, "but I have someone here who wants to talk to you."
"Who? Justin?" I asked.
"Yeah, do you wanna talk to him?" she asked.
"It doesn't matter," I said.
"Okay, hang on," she said.
I waited for a few seconds until Justin came the phone. "Jen?" he said.
"Yeah," I said.
"I'm sorry. I really am. Chris is my best friend and I don't like to see him hurt. Yet, I shouldn't have treated you that way and," Justin was saying until I cut him off.
"You're forgiven," I said.
"Huh? What?" he said.
"You're forgiven," I repeated.
"I wasn't done talking. I wanted to tell you that I was sorry for everything," he said.
"I know," I said, "but I have to go."
"Okay, I guess I'll talk to you later," he said, "bye."
"Bye," I said and hung up the phone.
I arrived home half an hour later, but I just sat in my car for awhile. I couldn't tell you how long, but I know I was in there for hours. I remember looking up at the sky and seeing the sun begin to rise. I slowly walked out of my car and up to my apartment. As soon as I walked in, I went straight to bed and soon fell asleep.
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Twenty Eight
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