I could still hear those words in my mind, fresh as the moment that they were said. What was Lizzie planning? How bad was she going to mess things up between Jessica and I? The relationship was bound to come to an end if what she said was true. 'You're going to regret this!' Those words repeated in my mind and as I mentally played out the possibilities, I couldn't get my mind off the fact that I already did.
After hours of hesitation, I finally picked up the phone. I decided to attempt to make things right between me and Jessica. I was afraid that if I let any more time pass, Lizzie could fill her head up with all sorts of nonsense that could hurt her, or even actual facts, i.e. the kiss—a fact that would hurt her even more.
My palms became moist as listened to the low-pitched ringing, waiting for someone to pick up.
"Hello?"
My heart sank to the bottom of my stomach when I heard that it was Lizzie who answered the phone. I tried to act as if this didn't bother me. I tried to forget about the unpleasant chat we had earlier that morning.
"May I please speak to Jessica?" I asked trying not to sound worried about my relationship.
"Jessica's feeling a little bit under the weather right now," Lizzie said.
I could hear the smile in her voice. She was loving every minute of this. When, exactly, did she become so nasty?
"What did you do," I asked worriedly. In my nervousness, I wrapped the phone cord around my index finger so many times that it was starting to throb and change colour. I made no attempt to unravel myself. I just sat there, my free hand clinging onto the edge on my bed.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence on the other end.
"Oh, I haven't done anything yet. You girlfriend is fine…for now."
I didn't know what I could do to stop her. It's not as if I could call Jessica up and tell her that everything that comes out of Lizzie's mouth is a lie. It didn't really look as if she was going to give up the phone and let me talk to her anytime soon. She was having fun torturing me—being able to decide whether or not my relationship with Jessica survived. She must have felt like some kind of god. She was twisted.
Things weren't looking to good for me, but still, I had to try. "Look, Lizzie, what's it going to take for you to leave us alone and just let what happened die?" I was hoping that maybe if I agreed to spend more time, as friends, with her, her anger would subside.
"You already know what I want," she replied.
"Well that's not going to happen. I want Jessica and no one else," I told her.
"I know her better than you. She's not going to want someone who cheated on her. She's going to be crushed when I tell her what went on. After that, she'll never want to speak to you again."
I was afraid of that.
"M…maybe if I explained to her that you're the one who kissed me, she'll understand." I didn't think that would happen, but it was worth a shot.
"Are you kidding? Miranda, we kissed. Twice! It doesn't matter who started it. It happened and no amount of word-twisting will change that. You didn't even tell her about it. She's going to want to know why you never said anything. She's going to see the situation as it is: I, you're best friend, kissed you. You enjoyed it. You didn't tell her about it. You want me and just won't admit it to yourself.
"That's a lie," I said, my voice shaky and low.
"Let's go out tonight. Just you and me," Lizzie said. "I'll show you how a real girlfriend acts."
I cringed at the thought. "How is that supposed to make my situation better? 'Yeah, Jessica, Lizzie and I kissed. I felt real bad about it so to make it up to you, I went on a date with her.' That'll work," I said sarcastically.
"I'll cut you a deal. You go out with me. And Jessica will never find out about what happened. It'll be as though it never happened."
Lizzie's behavior disgusted me to the point where I didn't even want to be friends with her anymore. Now I had to go out on a date with her? What were my other options? If I didn't go on the date, Lizzie would tell, probably embellish the story, and I'd loose Jessica for sure. I couldn't stand that.
I squeezed the phone tightly in my hand. For a moment, I imagined that Lizzie was in the room with me and I had a strong hold on her neck. I couldn't believe she had brought me to this. "Where and when?" I asked, my voice drenched in anger.