22 - A Success

I woke up without help in the morning, and I had not expected my morning to feel this easy. I thought I would need someone to at least shake my shoulders for me to crawl out of bed.

However, it did help that I could smell bacon through the vents.

I guess my mom had decided that a big greasy breakfast was just what we needed. I wondered if it was mostly for my benefit? I did not feel too hungover, but I am sure the grease would ease my aching stomach.

My mom was in a great mood when I made it downstairs until she saw the cut on my forehead. "Betty! What the hell happened?" She asked, rushing towards me with the critical eye of a nurse.

I ducked her advances. I did not feel like having chemicals placed on my cut so early in the morning. I am sure it was fine without it. "Mom, I am fine, I promise! I just got hit by a door at the party."

My mom was not too much taller than me, but she had a much firmer grip that I did, and when she managed to get a hold of my head, I was not going to get away easily.

"Hmmm, well, that must have been one nasty door."

I groaned as she prodded at my forehead, "it looks okay, but if you put makeup on it, let me clean it later, okay?"

I nodded, and she finally let go of me, moving to make me a plate of the delicious smelling food. "Nothing else happened, right?"

"No other cuts!" I assured her. It was easier to say that than lying about nothing else happening, because this way, I was technically telling her the truth. I just left out the part about a boy trying to kiss me, and Eli beating him to a pulp. She didn't need to know that.

Dad had already eaten and left by the time that I had made it downstairs. He had to leave super early to prepare for the store opening. Mom and I were planning to show up an hour before the mall opened, so at 10 AM, which gave me an hour to shower and get ready.

After eating and thanking my mom, I hurried upstairs and hopped in the shower.

I probably should have showered before going downstairs because the cleaner I became, the more I realized how much I had smelt like alcohol. I am sure my mom would have said something if she thought it was a big deal. Once I felt like a sixteen-year-old again and not a college student, I put on a cute dress and enough makeup to cover the redness on my forehead and the bags under my eyes.

I put my hair up in a ponytail before I ran out the door, making sure to grab my camera. I know that dad would want some good pictures of the event. My mom made sure we had everything from the house before we rushed over in my car.

We arrived just before 10 AM, and I started setting up some picture areas while my mom set up a free refreshment table.

My dad gave his team a pep talk before 11 AM hit. He was glowing, sure that this would be a hit.

He held my mom and my hands as he opened the door at 11 AM.

Taylor and Owen were there right at the front. Big grins on their faces.

Taylor was hungover, as she was wearing giant sunglasses, but she was still here. I almost teared up, realizing what amazing people I had found. They were holding large bouquets. Taylor handed some to my dad, and he engulfed her in a hug. Owen gave my mom some as well, and she did the same to him.

"I'm so glad you've made such amazing friends so quickly, Betty," My mom whispered in my ear as Owen and Taylor walked away, exploring the store.

"Yeah, me too," I whispered to my mum, staying at the front with her to greet others in the store.

By noon, Kyle and Jones had shown up. They were checking out some of the vintage car parts my dad had around the store, and my dad was following them around, telling them where he got each piece. They nodded along. I could tell that Jones was just being polite, but Kyle seemed genuinely interested.

Kyle phoned his dad, who came down and purchased a substantial piece hanging on the wall. My dad was proud of me for inviting such a lucrative customer, which I thought was hilarious because I am not the one who phoned Kyle's dad, and I am not the reason his store was doing so well.

But in my mind, I checked off "make my dads store a success."

My dad had done such a fantastic job. His hard work paid off.

The store had only been open for an hour, and we had already made a few major sales, not including the piece that Kyle's dad purchased.

Some of the other girls who I had invited also showed up, and I had a great time talking with them.

The photo stations around the store were a hit. I spent the second half of the morning taking cute photos for everyone on my fancy camera with promises to send them.

It was going great, except for the fact that Eli still hasn't shown. His vacancy was understandably noticeable by all of our friends, but every time someone asked where he was, I just shrugged. I had no idea where he was.

It was almost 1 PM when I saw Brodie enter the store.

My stomach flipped, looking for Eli, who I am sure would be coming in at any moment behind him. "Hi, Brodie!" I said, smiling and waving at him.

He grinned tensely and came over to me.

"Betty, I have to talk to you." His voice was low.

My pulse sped up, Eli wasn't with him. No one followed him in. I gulped, "okay, sure."

I nodded at my mom, who took over the refreshment area.

Brodie followed me outside, and my neck felt hot as soon as we stepped into the sun. It was warm today, the perfect day for the store's opening.

Brodie looked uncharacteristically nervous. "I didn't mean to tell him, but Eli found out that Owen drove him home."

I paused, "Okay?" I was confused, was that a big deal?

"Betty... Owen didn't know." Brodie said slowly. Trying to get me to understand without saying it.

I gasped. Oh my god, what had I done? I mean, it was a little ridiculous, his strange request of no one knowing he was rich, but it wasn't my place to tell anyone, and I had done just that. He had trusted me to keep his secret. He liked me because of it.

"Oh my god, I have to tell Owen not to tell anyone... Do you think he has?" I said frantically. I don't know if I could fix this, but I had to try. I can't lose Eli.

"I know Owen, so probably not. But Eli is mad, Betty. Really mad. He's not coming. I'm sorry." Brodie's voice was strained; he was speaking fast. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to tell him."

His voice cracked. I could tell he was broken up about this.

"No, no, Brodie, this isn't your fault at all, it's mine." I didn't want him to feel any blame for this. I had messed up. Eli did not ask a lot of me; this was his one thing. He dealt with a bunch of weird shit because of me, and I broke his trust. He might never want to speak to me again.

My chest contracted. I can't believe I was so stupid. Just as things were getting good, I ruined my own story. Brodie pulled me into a hug. His heart was beating fast, and he squeezed me tightly. I placed my head on his chest, trying to keep the tears at bay. I had to pull myself together.

"You were just trying to help, Betty." Said Brodie, his voice muffled into my hair.

I screwed up.

What do I do now?

I was supposed to be nice. I didn't screw up like this.

Brodie pulled away, "Betty, he didn't want me to talk to you, but you should make sure that Owen doesn't say anything."

I nod.

"I'll work on Eli. This stupid mistake shouldn't be something that ruins everything. It's just so weird. Why is my brother so goddamn weird."

I give Brodie a sad smile. "Thanks, Brodie, why are you helping me, though? I'm not that important in the long run. You shouldn't do anything that will ruin you and Eli's relationship."

He smiled, "I like you, Betty, and Eli likes you. He has spent most of his life with a stick up his butt. He doesn't trust people easily, but he liked you right away. You made him happy. He shouldn't let that go because of one mistake."

I appreciate that, but I still wasn't sure. Either way, for my own sake. I wanted to fix this.

I went back inside the store and motioned Owen to follow me without the others seeing. Luckily I think I succeeded because I was back outside with just Owen.

Brodie had already left.

"I fucked up, Owen."

He nodded, "I figured this is because I now know where Eli lives."

So he knew. I sighed. "Yes, I wasn't thinking."

He chuckled, "you know so much more makes sense now. But he never wanted us to know before, so I figured he didn't want us to know now. I didn't tell anyone Betty, and Taylor didn't see."

I let out a breath. "I'm so sorry, Owen."

"Hey, don't apologize to me! He is so weird about people knowing who he is. He has always been a great friend, so I will keep my mouth shut. And maybe Eli will forgive you. It was dark, and I didn't see anything anyways..." he said, trailing off.

I shook my head, "Yeah, sure."

Owen went back inside, and I tried to pull myself together to help my parents clean up after my friends left, but I am sure they could see my struggling. They were planning to stay until the store closed, but they thankfully told me I could head home.

Earlier, I may have argued that I would help, but I was just grateful to go off in peace.

I drove home and had a cold shower.

I felt numb.

Should I try to talk to Eli or give him space? I know texting him would throw Brodie under the bus, but it seemed like he was okay with that. I felt sick, thinking about Eli being so mad at me.

Once I was out of the shower, I put on some sweats and finally let myself cry. I cried, and I cried.

I tearfully took out my phone to text Eli an apology. I apologized for fucking up. I asked him to call me.

He didn't.

The next morning I was trying to decide if I should even bother going to school, but I eventually put on my clothes and brushed my hair. One step at a time until I was out the door, in my car and the school parking lot.

No amount of makeup could have covered up my puffy face, so I didn't even try. I was probably already known as a wreck by this point. Too emotional. I was too attached.

My heart broke for a boy who wasn't even my boyfriend.

I paused when I saw Eli in the courtyard, but instead of rushing up to him like I would have any other day, I froze.

His dead eyes said it all. He was done with me.

I was left standing there as he walked into the school. My first break up and I had never even been kissed.

---

1998

"Do you know where your love is

Do you think that you lost it

You felt it so strong but nothings

Turned out how you want it" - OneRepublic

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