Mended

Ben I am tired of this relationship. I don’t want to be with her anymore, but I don’t want to hurt her. We’ve been together since eighth grade, but we knew each other since we were kids. Maggie is great, but she has changed. She’s no longer the caring girl I fell for or the girl who cared for other people’s feelings. Now we are seniors and the only thing she cares about is her popularity. I don’t know what happened to her, but now she is a girl who doesn’t remember being caring. She only cares about her looks and being the queen bee and, with me by her side, we are the ultimate couple because I am a baseball star at school. She craves at the attention, while I despise it. I don’t care about being popular, it’s like a drug for those who need it. I like sticking to the back and watching everyone. I’m laid back, easy-going, and I like staying at home relaxing. While Maggie likes to be in the center of attention and likes to party. I can’t do this anymore, but how do I break up with her? Will I break her heart? Will I break mine if I let her go? My heart can be mended, will hers? “I can’t believe this is happening. Ben, are you listening to me?” I groaned a little. I wasn’t listening. I was lost in my own thoughts, hoping she would shut up. All I know was that she was ranting about something and how unfair it was for her. Her voice muffled after that. “I’m sorry, Maggie. I’m focused on homework. What were you saying?” I asked. We were sitting in her kitchen when she started to yap. I wanted to ignore her again, but thought better about it. If I did, I wouldn’t hear the end of it. “I said that I can’t believe that my parents are letting my cousin stay with us for the rest of the semester. I don’t want her here. She’s bad news. Imagine what my reputation will become. I can’t be seen with her. Who knows what she will do.” Maggie started to pant, and I can see her anxiety rising. What’s so bad about her cousin? I think the better question is, why is she coming? I wonder what she did to make Maggie’s parents take her in. “Chloé is going to ruin my life. She’s bad news. Getting into fights and getting arrested. Her own parents didn’t know what to do with her. It’s why they are shipping her here. They think my dad can fix her.” “Why do they think that?” I cursed at myself. Why did I ask? I should have kept my mouth shut. Now, she’s going to keep talking. I don’t want to know any of this. I don’t want to even know this girl if she’s bad news. I can’t mix myself up with that, especially now that I have a scholarship for baseball. I need to make a mental note: do not meet Chloé. Avoid her at all costs. “My dad and Chloé have always been close. Before her family moved, my parents would babysit her while her parents worked. They’re big shot lawyers and at that time my parents always had her. She and my dad grew close. She became another daughter to him, and after she moved away, they kept in contact. He always called her to check up on her, and he even went to her driving test when her dad couldn’t.” Maggie seemed restless and there was a tone of jealously in the way she talked about her dad and Chloé. I know Maggie’s parents; they love her and supported her in every decision she made. She even got them to agree to let me stay with them while my parents battle through their divorce. It caught me off guard when she did that, and I saw a glimmer of hope of the Maggie I fell for long ago. But as soon as I moved in, she went to her usual self. She stopped caring. She never asked how I was doing or if I wanted to talk about it. When I needed someone to talk to, she wasn’t there. I moved almost two months ago and I feel lonelier than ever. My parents didn’t help when they argued about who I should visit and Maggie certainly doesn’t help when she panics over a broken nail. My senior year of high school isn’t going how I thought it would be. I wonder if Chloé can brighten me up. I doubt it. If she’s anything like Maggie, then what’s the point of living here? I already feel lonely with Maggie here, I will feel invisible with both of them here. The front door opened and sounds of footsteps came our way. Mack, Maggie’s father, walked in with a grin. “Hey, there kids,” he said in a deep voice. Mack is about 6’5 with short brown hair and eyes with a bright smile. He’s a cool guy and in shape for his age, around his mid-forties. I guess he has to since he owns the most popular gym in town. I know Mack likes me a lot because we both love sports, especially baseball. He is also laid back and fun to talk to. His wife, Sheila, is the same. Maggie is so different from them, I wonder where she gets it. “So, Ben, are you almost finished with your homework?” Mack asked. I looked back at him. He took off his suit jacket and leaned over the counter. He must have had a meeting today since he is wearing a suit. On any other day, he would wear sweats and a t-shirt. “Um, I have one more assignment, but I can do it later. Why?” “I have movers coming to drop off furniture for Chloé’s room. I need help moving it upstairs,” he said. “Ugh, I can’t believe you bought her new furniture, dad. She doesn’t need anything, just a mattress, and she’ll be fine,” Maggie blurted out with disgust. “She’s a troublemaker who deserves nothing and should be locked up.” “Maggie,” Mack said in a low growl. “Chloé is family, and she will be treated as such. No family member of mine will go to jail unless there is a chance, and she has one. And damn it, I will help her. We are her last and only chance she has, and we will help her. Do you understand?” They glared at each other without blinking. No one moved. No one spoke. The room grew tense as I watched the both. Finally, Maggie let out a deep sigh and stomped from the kitchen muttering, “Whatever.” Mack’s body relaxed and left. Wow, if Chloé brings this much tension in her absence, imagine what it will be like when she is here.