Don't Go Without Me - Elmax

📌(This story was originally written in Portuguese and posted in 2023)

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Jane's
Point of View

(Two years ago)

I don’t know what else to say. I simply didn’t expect my day to end in the school parking lot, having the worst conversation of my life with my best friend—or maybe ex-best friend.

"But why?" I ask, feeling tears stream down my face more and more.

"You’re really asking me that, Jane?" Kali stomps her foot in frustration and sighs. "Don’t you realize how clingy you are? Don’t you see that I’m your only friend and that I have to deal with all your drama and problems by myself?"

"But…"

"It was easier when Mike was around, but he broke up with you, and next year, he’s moving to that boarding school in Connecticut. That burden will be all mine."

"You think I’m a burden?" I ask, unable to gather the courage to look into her eyes.

"I think I’ve been playing babysitter. Jane, you’re a good person, but I can’t carry your traumas and emotions with me. I’m not your pet or a toy. Don’t make me responsible for your happiness because I’m questioning whether I’m happy myself."

"I can change! I’ll never talk about my problems again! I’ll never make you responsible for my feelings! I promise," I beg, arms still crossed, staring at the ground.

"Jane, you’ll only be hurting yourself if you do that. You could give me the whole world, but I don’t want your company anymore. We were good childhood friends, but it’s time to grow up."

"Growing up means hanging out with Reggie’s gang of jerks?" I finally look directly at Kali, letting her see the redness in my eyes.

"Growing up means changing. Haven’t you noticed I’ve been your friend for over ten years? And now, Jane? You’ve lost me. Who will be your next victim? Who’s the next poor soul you’ll drag into the dark, bottomless pit of your life?"

(Present Day)

This is the fifth tutoring session I’m giving Max. Robin paid me in advance, and I admit it was a great incentive. At this rate, I’ll soon have the money I need to leave this town forever. While "MadMax" hasn’t arrived yet, I keep staring at my laptop screen, trying to write something. But this time, it feels different. This time, I really have feelings to turn into words, but I’m more afraid of what those words might be.

"YOUR STUDENT IS HERE!" I hear Will shout from the living room.

I leave my room and see the redhead sitting on the couch, eyes glued to her phone as if she were in her own house. She’s wearing faded jeans, a yellow jacket, and, for some reason, sunglasses. Ridiculous clothes that somehow look good on her. Or whatever.

"Are you just going to stare at me?" Mayfield says, still looking at her phone. For some reason, I feel my face heating up.

"I was waiting for you to get off your phone," I blurt out awkwardly as Max stands up and walks toward me, taking off her sunglasses.

"I’m off it, ketchup. Can we start now?"

"What did you call me?"

"Ketchup. Because of that red dress you’re wearing. And I’m mustard because of my yellow jacket," she laughs, but I keep a serious expression.