Living Two Lies

Let's shop.

    We all walk inside the main entrance of the mall. Once we got inside, we saw Becky and Josh sitting together. I hung back hoping Sammie would too while the others greeted Becky and Josh. Unfortunately the only one who hung back was CJ.  

    "Why did you follow me?" I snapped. 

"I wanted to make sure you were okay, I don't want you to leave me. I was hoping we could talk."

"There's nothing to talk about, CJ. I told you we were done, and I meant it." 

"Lydia, calm down before everyone hears our business," he said in a hushed voice while smiling. I glanced over and noticed Eli was looking at us. He had a concerned look on his face. "It's him, isn't it?" CJ asked. 

I took a deep breath, "CJ me breaking up with you has nothing to do with anyone but you. I'm not leaving you for anyone else, but myself." I pause, look around and say, "they're going to find out eventually anyways. I'm telling Sammie what happened so I can crash at her place tonight to give you time to grab your belongings and go to your grandpas." 

    He looked at me with the most angriest face, but yet tears were in his eyes. "I don't want to leave, Lydia." "You have till Sunday, that way you can still be at my house for the party." I walked away and joined our friends. I didn't want to hear anymore from him. "Lyd, we were all talking about grabbing some food from the food court. You down?" asked Sammie. "Girl, I'm starving." I leaned in closer to her ear and whispered, "We have to talk later, it's urgent." I pulled away and started to follow the others to the food court. The whole time, I could feel CJ staring at the back of my head. 

    We all got our food, since we ordered from different places and regrouped at the tables. We pushed a lot of them together since there wasn't tables big enough to seat all of us. I sat at the end hoping Sammie would be the one to sit on my left. Well, CJ got to it first. He smiled at me, "I'm starving, too." 

Why does he always do this?  

    To my surprise, Eli sat in front of me. I looked up from my food, and gave him a bleak smile. "Everything okay, Lydia?" he asked. "Everything is great Eli, thanks for asking, " CJ responded. CJ and Eli just stared at each other for a second, "Okay, that's good," Eli said. I rolled my eyes and shook my head slightly. Sammie watched in awe, like something was going to happen. "Seeing anyone, Eli?" CJ asked while taking a bite of his pizza. "Actually, I was. Her names Kelli. We broke up like a week ago," Eli responded. CJ looked at him suspiciously then at me. "Sorry to hear that man. Mind if I ask what happened?" "There's someone else I have my eye on." CJ's mouth dropped, and tension grew. Sammie's mouth dropped for a second, but she shut it before CJ could notice. Josh scoffed. Josh liked Eli with Kelli. Josh and Eli know all of each other's secrets, he probably knows who it is he left Kelli for. 

    I sat there looking at Sammie with my eyebrows raised, and my eyes bugging out of my head. My heart was beating so fast it could jump out of my chest. "Sammie, I have to go to the bathroom. I don't want to go alone, can you come?" I asked.  "I'll come too!" Becky said. "Uh-I-sure!" Sammie said. I jumped out of my chair and walked towards the bathroom. "Lydia?" CJ yelled. "Dude, I'll be right back," I yelled back. 

At least he can't follow me to the ladies room. 

    "What the hell was that?" Sammie asked. "I don't know, I guess CJ thinks somethings up between Eli and I. There's nothing going on. CJ's just being weird because I broke up with him before we came here. He followed me to the bus stop and I had no idea." Becky looked shocked. She's new to the group but she doesn't know fully how CJ is. "So that's what you wanted to talk about?" Sammie asked. "Yes, and I was wondering if I could crash at your house for the night. CJ's saying he's not going to leave, and I don't want to be there," I said. "Lyd, you're always welcome to my house." "There's something I have to tell you guys," Becky said. "Josh tells me everything, I know who Eli has his eyes on." I looked at her with curiosity all over my face, as did Sammie. "He left Kelli for you, Lydia. He's been telling Josh for weeks. Ever notice how Kelli gives you weird looks in the hallway? Yeah, that's why." I just stared in disbelief, Eli wants me? 

    I shivered, "Wow, uh okay. So let's get back out there before things get worse." We walked back to the table, the guys were all silent. Josh looked uncomfortable, Eli was smirking, and CJ was livid. "I got to get home so Lyd and I can work on our project for history class. Ready, Lydia?" Sammie asked. I couldn't be more ready than I am now. "Yeah!" I responded. We grabbed our things and nudged Duncan along. He's the driver after all. "We'll catch you guys later," Becky said as she left with Josh. They were whispering to each other while they walked away. 

    We all walked to Duncan's car in silence. CJ kept trying to hold my hand, and I kept pulling away. I tried to walk faster but he would just catch up with me. Eli walked behind us all smiling with his headphones in and his hands in his pockets. 

    We finally got to the car, Eli and CJ both held a door open for me. I stood there not knowing which door to get in, it felt like I had to choose right then and there between both of them. "Don't worry about it, I was just offering," Eli said as he got in and closed the door. I walked to CJ's door he smiled at me and I rolled my eyes. "Duncan, we can drop CJ off at my house first since he's on the way to Eli's and Sammie's." I said. "Sounds like a plan, Lyd." My phone vibrated, it was CJ texting me while sitting right next to me. 

If you want Eli, just say it. But don't make it obvious.

I locked my phone and put it away. I'm not doing his drama anymore. I don't think I even want a relationship with anyone for a very long time. 

    We dropped CJ off at my house, and he tried to kiss me bye. I turned my head, and pulled out my phone. We pulled off, and headed to Eli's to drop him off. My phone went off once again: Seriously? Why do you hate me? I just want to love you. Let me love you. 

I once again ignored his text, I don't know how he doesn't get the point. 

"Think we can talk later?" Eli asked me. "Yeah, sure. You got my number. Just make sure you text back next time," I said with a laugh. "Oh, I will. no worries." He got out of the car, and walked up his porch steps. He turned around to look at me in the car, and shot me his half grin. Butterflies again, I love that smile. I smiled and waved. Next stop, Sammie's house. At least I get a break tonight, I hope.....