Invisible String

Part 5 - All Too Well

"Sasha's mum was best friends with mine, and we sort of just became friends that way. There's only two months between us; both of our parents got pregnant while in college." I rambled on, knowing she was unlikely to be interested in our backstories.

"Cara, on the other hand, was a different story; we met in elementary school. She smacked a tennis ball in my face." Ingrid covered her mouth and suppressed her laughter.

"Apparently it was an accident, but I believe it was intentional. I stole her favourite pens from art class."

"Man, I wish I had a story like that. I just met Reid because I was being bullied by some jerk." I looked over at Reid; he didn't seem pleased to be stuck with his best friend, who was flirting. He rolled his eyes and turned away from them, scanning the diner before coming across Ingrid's. His scowl had been replaced with a grin.

"One day, while I was at a park with my dad, I ran into Gray. He was there with his mother. It wasn't particularly interesting to meet cute, but we just played together. And Jamie was a friend of Reid's at school. I wish I had a better story to tell." I smiled at the thought of these guys being young and playing around with one another. I'm curious if Reid has always been so mysterious.

Grayson, Cara, and Reid re-joined our table. They brought food and some drinks. I thanked everyone before digging into the food. It wasn't the best pizza I've ever had, but I'd definitely return when I'm hungover and in need of a greasy pizza and garlic dip.

"Isn't that Jaden?" Cara spoke quietly to Sasha. My head snapped in their direction before turning to face him. He was alone, and his face was covered in bruises, which I hadn't noticed while he was on the pitch. I should really have my eyes checked.

"Damn didn't realise he still had those bruises, you-" Reid elbowed Grayson in the stomach and lowered his head, preventing me from questioning him.

Jaden locked onto me and approached me. I wasn't expecting him to make such a bold move, especially since Reid, Grayson, and Jamie were at our table. He shifted awkwardly on his feet.

"Hey Jos, could I speak to you in private?" I dropped my slice of pizza and rolled my eyes.

"I don't have anything else to say to you, Jaden; just go away." He moved close to the booth, which caused Reid's eyes to connect with Jaden's.

"Just two minutes, and I swear I'll leave you alone." I let out a sigh and watched my friends become concerned.

"You have my word, Jos." I asked Ingrid to slide out of the booth so I could go outside.

"Oh yeah? Your 'word' no longer means shit." Grayson took a deep breath, loud enough to draw our attention.

"Lead the way." I followed Jaden out through the main entrance and into the parking lot. I knew everyone was watching because we were standing directly in front of their table.

"I ended things with Hannah before she died." I shrugged, crossing my arms over my chest. Something I did frequently to safeguard myself.

"I know that won't make things better; I just wanted you to know."

"Is that all you came here to say? That you ended your relationship with the dead girl? I don't care what you have to say anymore. You ruined everything we had, for what? The opportunity to take someone's virginity?" He groaned and dragged his hands down his face. He took one step closer to me, prompting me to take one step back.

"You never gave me anything to prove you loved me, Josie; you were so heartless through our relationship." Everyone at our table seemed to be staring into my soul.

"There is no excuse for what you did. If you truly felt that way, why didn't you simply end your relationship with me?" I let out a hum. It was just common sense.

"Because..." I arched my brow. "Because I felt sorry for you." I was immediately stunned. Did he really say he didn't end the relationship with me because he felt sorry for me? Is this some kind of sick joke?

"What do you mean you felt sorry for me?" I spewed back. I could feel heat rising in my chest. I was going to slap him, curse him out, or even better, kick him in the balls.

"Your mum just died, and I didn't want you to be alone." That was it; that was a knife in the chest.

"You're not someone who is independent, Josie; you need somebody to be there for you, someone to provide for you." He started walking closer to me, and I took backward steps until I hit the wall.

"I can be the person to provide for you; I was there for you when your mother was sick. I know you, Josie; don't end it like this. Do not make any mistakes." He raised his hand to reach out, but another intervened to stop it.

My eyes left Jadens, only to be met with dark and stormy skies. Reid threw Jaden's arm away and stepped in front of me.

"Don't start something you can't win, Jaden." Jaden scoffed and looked behind Reid to see me huddled back.

"Really, Jos? After everything, you've moved on so quickly?" I frowned and moved away from Reid, only for him to extend his arm in front of me and stop me in my tracks.

"You're not even worth the breath." Reid's words had a venomous undertone that I could sense. I watched him look at Jaden with hatred. I swear there would be a fight if I weren't here.

"Can I say one thing?" I was standing next to Reid when Jaden's eyes brightened. I detected notes of sandalwood, ginger, and something floral or fruity.

"You were never there for me when my mother was sick; you spent your entire time trying to fuck someone who refused to give it up. You didn't even attend the funeral. That is not somebody I want in my life. To be honest, I wish you never came into my life. I wished my mother had never met you. The thought of her thinking you could be there for me after she's gone, or even just knowing how much she loved you, makes me sick to my stomach." Jaden looked down at his feet, his face filled with emotion.

"I wish I could rewind the four years I wasted on you because, when I think back, it was always me making time for you, making you feel better about yourself, and not to mention how many hours I spent helping you and your family find money to get by while trying to cover myself. It's taken me so long to realise that you're no longer worth the effort. I'm not an emotionless bitch, or whatever you like to call me, and you're just not the person I wanted to say 'I love you' to."

It felt great to finally get this off my chest. I've convinced myself for years that I'm the issue and that I'm emotionally detached, but I know how valuable I am, and I'll give it my all for anyone who chooses to love me for who I am.

Jaden was someone I thought I could settle down with when we first started dating, but after about a year, he began to distance himself. I blamed it on me and the fact that my mother was becoming ill, and perhaps he didn't want to see her get sick or be around death. I was tired of making excuses for someone who was constantly blaming me.

I was done.