I was surprised but Mr. Williams said, "All this time, years before coming here, I didn't want to face it, but I thought to myself, 'it's time to let it go'." He was contemplative, glancing around the room. I wondered if he was seeing everything as it had been. Was he missing anything now that it was gone? "So, it's true that the room was set up as it had been for years until very recently?" "Yes," he said. "I needed a change, though." "Is it because of me?" I asked. I didn't know how I was being so bold. It certainly wasn't bravery. I realized that about myself when my heart stopped without his answer. If anything, I was hanging on his every word. Mr. Williams wasn't one to hold onto things it seemed, but there were areas of his life that he cared about like the bond with his son and apparently whatever was in this room. I could feel that there had once been life in here and now, it was permeating with energy despite its bareness. Instead of speaking, he walked over to a drawe
After Mr. Williams confessed to me about his ex-wife without disparaging her, I was relieved. His maturity of how he saw the relationship and acceptance of who she was, showed that he was a true gentleman. Even in my limited experience with relationships, I knew this was the ideal way to understand parting ways. If he did feel hatred for her, it was because of the love he so deeply had for her before. I could sense that he no longer had feelings for her, in a loving, passionate way. "I never mentioned her before, because Everett was my primary focus. His feelings mattered to me more than my relationship with her. It wasn't that I was keeping her a secret from you, on purpose. I'm simply used to not talking about her, period." Walking toward the shrouded window, I took hold of the curtains and swiped them open, parting them in the middle. As the sunlight cast its warm glow upon my body, I felt enlightened. The room was now illuminated in the same way my murky mind was. The tightrop
Ada POV:: I’m getting tired of Mila pushing Everett onto me to deal with while she stays home and gets to enjoy exciting things with Mr. Williams. Glancing in the side mirror of Everett’s car, I saw my reflection and couldn’t deny it; I regretted coming on this vacation, especially when Everett yelled at me for Mila. That felt terrible. I also felt guilty that I wanted to leave, especially after what happened to Mila in the hospital. She was my best friend but I was bored and starting to feel down. At least she was having fun. I wanted that for her. The ride to the exhibit was quiet and awkward. I stared out the windows watching the people walking along, some sauntering, others rapidly traipsing. Sighing, my breath fogged up the window. I used my sleeve to wipe it away. Being with Everett only upset me, lately. I don’t know why I agreed to go with him in the first place. Of course, Mila needed time to rest but Everett was a pain in the ass. Now, I was stuck with him. I felt relie
Everett's POV:: Though I told her otherwise, I was afraid that Ada did cause Mila to have an allergic reaction. If so, it would be my fault that it hurt Mila. I've seen fake relationships between women before, where they drugged each other to sleep with a celebrity at school. One gave a roofie to another because she wanted to fuck the star quarterback. However, Ada doesn't seem like that kind of girl. Maybe I was letting all my suspicion get to my head. That wasn't out of the ordinary for my mind to go haywire from time to time, especially around girls. Glancing at the road, I eyed Ada as she sat in the passenger seat. I wanted to break the ice after our argument but I didn't know how. At least she let me take her to the museum. She was just altering the way she wanted to pursue me, that's all. Girls did that all the time. They couldn't keep up with the way I was. Sometimes I did it on purpose; I'd use a hot and cold method, but honestly, it comes naturally. They'd make me want t
Everett POV::Ada's bullying story flung me into memories of childhood, when I'd moved from Los Angeles. I didn't have friends for a long time; only Mila was there to play with me. Our relationship was always good, but then I met some cool guys who changed me into who I am now. I'd been bullied, like Ada and now that I knew that, it made me feel closer to her. My deepest worry is that people will see me as that skinny, weak kid again. That's why I've done all I have to make sure that part of me stays hidden. But Ada just told me a similar story and she was one of the most popular girls around. I didn’t feel so alone and weird anymore. Everyone looked up to her and once I was around less, Mila became Ada's best friend. The two of them together were unstoppable but I managed to persist in their lives. At least, that's probably how they saw it. I held Ada in my arms, her scent and body warmth made me unable to resist. She was a very experienced girl and her passion the night we had s
Mila's POV:: Through the wind, I heard the voices of my closest friends as they talked. I stepped closer but soon I realized they were having an argument. Was it about me? As I came around the corner through the sand, I walked up to the driveway. That's when I heard it. They were talking about a one-night stand. My heart felt like daggers were jabbed into it as my mouth dropped open. Staring at the two of them, I watched as Everett spun around. I managed to slip out of sight before they caught me. Why didn't Ada tell me about it? My mind was reeling as I scuffed the sand walking along the wall, holding it for balance. I felt dizzy as I was in such shock. It shouldn't be like this between us. We shared everything and told one another all our secrets. She was the one person I knew wouldn't lie to me. I walked around to the kitchen feeling unsettled, like I was out of my body. As Mr. Williams brought the plate with the skewers in, accidentally brushed against one searing my hand. "
"Yes, I have something to tell you," she said. Slowly, she opened the door and waved me in. My breathing was shallow as I made my way closer. Sitting perched beside her on the bed, I braced myself. Was she going to tell me the entire thing? Her face fell as she said, "Before we went on this vacation, me and Everett ran into each other at a bar and had a drunken fling. I don't know how to explain it to you." Immediately, I should have been relieved. She must have been referring to when we all went out and I brought Robert to cover as my boyfriend. Could it really be just that? No, I couldn't trust myself to see reality clearly. I had to make a gesture to see what she'd say. "You mean the night he tried to make me jealous, and I kicked him? I'm going to confront him. That isn't anything he can hold over your head," I said rising from the bed. She reached out and stopped me, holding firmly to my bare arm. I looked at her trying to wring free, but she wouldn't let go. "Don't do it," s
Mr. Williams held the pillow to his chest then entered, glancing down at me. He handed it to me. "Ada packed up and left," he said. I snatched the pillow back and hugged it briefly. My heart felt jabbed from the news, but my stubbornness took over. "I don't care," I remarked but my actions betrayed me. I still went to the window to see if it was true. Just as I did, I spied her; she was indeed leaving, heaving her suitcase into the black SUV. Inside I was screaming, hating that this was happening. How did our friendship become severed over a stupid guy? I was about to run after her, begging her not to go when I saw Everett. He dashed out after Ada, pulling on her arm. Recoiling, I almost turned away, but I couldn't look away. What a fool she was. "I hate them!" I complained to Mr. Williams. I was about to bang on the window when he came over. "Stop attacking Ada or you will regret it deeply. What you feel now is powerful but later it will be much worse, and you can't go back and
Mila's POV:: My relationship with Everett and Ada remained awkward for the next few days until the beach party. We barely spoke and whenever we saw one another at breakfast and in the morning, each of us tried to avoid one another. I wasn't the most graceful when people knew I felt weird. Finally, the day of the beach party arrived. Ada wasn't kidding when she said she had been looking forward to it for the entire trip. She had an entire outfit dedicated to it. Ada, as always, dressed very seductively, in a skimpy bikini barely covering her lean body. Draped over her shoulders was a barely there beach dress, which could be easily removed for swimming or otherwise. As she sauntered to the beach, heads began to turn. Plenty of men approached her and she was able to carry on a charming conversation with nearly all of them but then she picked one to have a deeper talk with. He was older than Everett and more distinguished, probably closer to graduating college or maybe he already had
"What are you doing, Everett?” “I’m bringing you back.” “I mean, what do you want? For real. Don't play with me," she said. I could tell she was exhausted; her shoulders were slumped, and her hair was knotted from all the activity. Though her voice was serious, her eyes were glittering with passion as they reflected the nearby streetlights. The sound of whooshing cars lifted her hair as I shrugged. "I don't know, Ada but I can't leave you on the sidewalk in the middle of LA." I walked over to her suitcase and picked it up, carrying it over my head until I was able to get it into the trunk of the SUV. "Don't take that without my permission!" she ordered me, but I didn't listen, and she chased. When I turned around, I knew she wouldn't leave unless I made her, so I picked her up and carried her to the passenger seat. She half-heartedly punched me once on the back, but I didn't react, so she went limp, gave in and climbed on the seat willingly. Ada remained silent and didn't speak
I felt frustrated like I'd made the wrong choice. Everything has been chaotic since I invited her. Then it dawned on me that when people who are close, hide dark secrets, it causes harm to each other. She was right in what she'd shouted to Mr. Williams. That was correct. "You might not believe me, but I think it was for the best that things came to a head. At least you've aired your feelings and you're going to find out what your friendship truly means to each other. I'd wager that you'll realize you care on a level you never realized, and it took this argument to make you understand what you feel about one another." His insightful words helped me feel better, but I began to wonder about something. Glancing at Mr. Williams I thought about our relationship, wondering if Everett was destined to hurt in the future. What if he ever found out? Did Mr. Williams plan to tell his son? I wondered with a heavy heart if I would cause more heartbreak. Everett's pov The moment I heard Ada cr
Huffing, I turned away, but Mr. Williams knew I wouldn't be able to resist my favorite pizza. He took out two plates and piled several pieces on each. There was no way I could refuse once he put it under my nose. That aroma was making me nearly drool. Taking our pizza, we came over to the sofa to eat. The light in the room was low and the ocean wind was making the eaves creak. It felt peaceful being inside. I glanced at him as I picked up my first piece. I sunk my teeth into it and my mouth burst with the mixture of flavors. The crust snapped as I bit down, the edge golden brown, even a bit dusty from the cornmeal, which I liked. The wonderful sourness of the goat cheese and kalamata touched my tastebuds, conjoined with the sharp cheddar and salty pepperoni. The heat from the jalapenos brought it all together and I delighted in it, moaning in pleasure. Mr. Williams chuckled and took a bite. "You make it look so good," he said, chewing. "I had to try it." My mouth was still full as
Mr. Williams held the pillow to his chest then entered, glancing down at me. He handed it to me. "Ada packed up and left," he said. I snatched the pillow back and hugged it briefly. My heart felt jabbed from the news, but my stubbornness took over. "I don't care," I remarked but my actions betrayed me. I still went to the window to see if it was true. Just as I did, I spied her; she was indeed leaving, heaving her suitcase into the black SUV. Inside I was screaming, hating that this was happening. How did our friendship become severed over a stupid guy? I was about to run after her, begging her not to go when I saw Everett. He dashed out after Ada, pulling on her arm. Recoiling, I almost turned away, but I couldn't look away. What a fool she was. "I hate them!" I complained to Mr. Williams. I was about to bang on the window when he came over. "Stop attacking Ada or you will regret it deeply. What you feel now is powerful but later it will be much worse, and you can't go back and
"Yes, I have something to tell you," she said. Slowly, she opened the door and waved me in. My breathing was shallow as I made my way closer. Sitting perched beside her on the bed, I braced myself. Was she going to tell me the entire thing? Her face fell as she said, "Before we went on this vacation, me and Everett ran into each other at a bar and had a drunken fling. I don't know how to explain it to you." Immediately, I should have been relieved. She must have been referring to when we all went out and I brought Robert to cover as my boyfriend. Could it really be just that? No, I couldn't trust myself to see reality clearly. I had to make a gesture to see what she'd say. "You mean the night he tried to make me jealous, and I kicked him? I'm going to confront him. That isn't anything he can hold over your head," I said rising from the bed. She reached out and stopped me, holding firmly to my bare arm. I looked at her trying to wring free, but she wouldn't let go. "Don't do it," s
Mila's POV:: Through the wind, I heard the voices of my closest friends as they talked. I stepped closer but soon I realized they were having an argument. Was it about me? As I came around the corner through the sand, I walked up to the driveway. That's when I heard it. They were talking about a one-night stand. My heart felt like daggers were jabbed into it as my mouth dropped open. Staring at the two of them, I watched as Everett spun around. I managed to slip out of sight before they caught me. Why didn't Ada tell me about it? My mind was reeling as I scuffed the sand walking along the wall, holding it for balance. I felt dizzy as I was in such shock. It shouldn't be like this between us. We shared everything and told one another all our secrets. She was the one person I knew wouldn't lie to me. I walked around to the kitchen feeling unsettled, like I was out of my body. As Mr. Williams brought the plate with the skewers in, accidentally brushed against one searing my hand. "
Everett POV::Ada's bullying story flung me into memories of childhood, when I'd moved from Los Angeles. I didn't have friends for a long time; only Mila was there to play with me. Our relationship was always good, but then I met some cool guys who changed me into who I am now. I'd been bullied, like Ada and now that I knew that, it made me feel closer to her. My deepest worry is that people will see me as that skinny, weak kid again. That's why I've done all I have to make sure that part of me stays hidden. But Ada just told me a similar story and she was one of the most popular girls around. I didn’t feel so alone and weird anymore. Everyone looked up to her and once I was around less, Mila became Ada's best friend. The two of them together were unstoppable but I managed to persist in their lives. At least, that's probably how they saw it. I held Ada in my arms, her scent and body warmth made me unable to resist. She was a very experienced girl and her passion the night we had s
Everett's POV:: Though I told her otherwise, I was afraid that Ada did cause Mila to have an allergic reaction. If so, it would be my fault that it hurt Mila. I've seen fake relationships between women before, where they drugged each other to sleep with a celebrity at school. One gave a roofie to another because she wanted to fuck the star quarterback. However, Ada doesn't seem like that kind of girl. Maybe I was letting all my suspicion get to my head. That wasn't out of the ordinary for my mind to go haywire from time to time, especially around girls. Glancing at the road, I eyed Ada as she sat in the passenger seat. I wanted to break the ice after our argument but I didn't know how. At least she let me take her to the museum. She was just altering the way she wanted to pursue me, that's all. Girls did that all the time. They couldn't keep up with the way I was. Sometimes I did it on purpose; I'd use a hot and cold method, but honestly, it comes naturally. They'd make me want t