Not Just A Phase

In Through the Window with Ice Cream

I entered the house, took a deep breath and called out in the most normal voice I could muster: "I'm back! I'm- I'm a little tired, so I'll see you in the morning!"

In reply, I got a few resounding choruses of "Sleep well!" before I turned to face the staircase to my left.

I took the stairs three at a time and opened the door to my room. I was met with near pitch darkness, but, used to it by now, I shut the door and swiftly navigated past all of the obstacles left on the floor by me and flopped onto my bed in the same manner of a balloon having its air let out.

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, so I blindly dragged it out, the light searing my already burning eyes. It was Rachel.

Hey C!

What's up?

I replied quickly:

Nothing much.

Sorry, but I'm not in the mood tonight, Rachel.

It finally happened?

Yep. Not that I'm any happier about it.

After a few minutes of silence, a stab of concern hit me so I texted her again.

Rach?

Hello?

Open your window.

Really? You ran down here?

Jogged, really.

Just open the damned window!

I stood up, letting out an exasperated sigh as I did. I heard a muffled "I can hear you, ya know!" through my bedroom window. I sidled over and opened it.

"It's creepy. You know that, right?"

"Yup!" she replied cheerfully, popping the 'p', as she clambered through the open window. She then slung the backpack off of her shoulder and unzipped it enough to show me several Ben & Jerry's and the Harry Potter box set, wiggling her eyebrows triumphantly as I saw them. "Only your favourites – three, four, six and seven part two, if we have time." I let out a muffled half-laugh-half-sob and Rachel, realising my predicament, dropped the bag to the floor and enveloped me in a hug. I melted slightly, biting the inside of my cheek as I fought down my two major emotions – the urge to cry and The Problem.

"Harry Potter half-marathon or what?" she asked, breaking off the hug and holding me at arm's length. I bit down harder to restrain myself and nodded mutely with a small smile that said 'thanks for being a stubborn friend – and also for bringing ice cream.'

-----

It was at the beginning of the sixth film that I started to drift. It was almost as though it was finally dawning on me.

"God..." I muttered under my breath, letting out a frustrated groan and flopping backwards onto the bed. Rachel noticed and followed suit.

"So, what happened?"

I swallowed and started to explain: "I was at Arty's – you know, the grocers – and I wasn't there for any – particular reason – just felt like it, I guess – and I saw him pass – and – and so I decided I might well go – and surprise him, is all." I tried to steady my breathing before continuing. "So – well, so I did. I fol-followed him to the parking lot at the shopping centre, and there was – this girl – waiting for him. At first I thought, 'hey, maybe he's meeting his cousin or something' – but I soon got the gist that it wasn't. I mean, who goes around making out with their cousin?! I-I left before I saw too much, but I'd seen enough. I sent him the ultimate 'you cheated on me so I'm gonna scream at you via text because I'm a cowardly bitch' breakup text."