Twenty-Six

I walked into my room and braced myself for what was to happen next. I knew Sidney knew about James. I knew he knew that I was dating someone that wasn’t him. I know he would be mad and knowing I made him mad kind of hurts my heart. Actually, just hearing his voice is probably going to pull at my heart strings.

“Hi.” I said calling him.

“I didn’t think you call.”

“Of course I would call.” I said and then there was just silence.

“ I have thought about calling you for so long, but.”

“But, you started dating someone else.”

“Marc-Andre told you.” I said.

“Who is he?”

“His name is James. He is a doctor at the children’s hospital. He is friends with Mollie. We just talked and he helped me with some of my classes.”

“Then you started dating.”

“I guess.”

“How old is he?”

“Sidney, it doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter. You broke up with me. You broke up with me and then you start dating someone else who your parents probably wouldn’t approve of.”

“They don’t know.”

“I get it. You will betray your parents for him and not for me. It makes sense now.” He said.

“Sidney, its not like that.” I said.

“It appears like it to me.” He said.

“Sidney, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I miss you.”

“You can’t miss me while you are sleeping with someone else.”

“But I do.”

“Why are you with him?”

“He understands me.”

“And I don’t.”

“Its like he can appreciate everything I want and am doing. He thinks things I do aren’t ordinary. He thinks that the way I feel and think and want to change the world is extraordinary. He just gets it. He gets me.” I said.

“And I don’t.”

“I’m not saying that.”

“Yeah, you are. You are exactly saying that.” He said.

“And its not fair. I know how extraordinary you are. I told you that all the time. Its not fair just to say that he can relate to you on the medical level that he thinks you are more extraordinary than I do. I probably think you are even more so because to me aspiring to be a doctor is extraordinary enough.” He said.

“Sidney, James isn’t better than you. I’m not saying that. You two are very different. I can’t tell you why I am dating him right now, but I am. And I’m sorry and if I was stronger than we would be together but I’m not. I’m only 19, Sidney. I’m still trying to figure everything out.”

“Okay, but can’t we atleast talk.”

“Yeah, I would like that.” I said.

“I have missed you.”

“I know, Sid. I’m sorry I have been ignoring you. I’m sorry that MAF had to tell you about James.. I should have been the one.”

“You shouldn’t have too. You are free to date someone. I slept with someone in the Bahamas.” He said.

“I figured as much.” I said.

“I got to go.” I said. I knew he had slept with someone. I was silly to think that he could wait for me. It was silly for me to think that and I shouldn’t care. I am the one that told him to sleep with whomever he wishes.

Don’t be mad at me.

I’m not.

Yes you are. You hung up as soon as I said that.

Because even thought I figured you have slept with someone, I didn’t think you would have while we were still talking.

I’m sorry.

Its fine. I’m not mad. Its just weird, if you slept with someone while we were talking, I don’t want to think about what you are doing now.

Don’t do that. You are with James.

Yeah but James isn’t just a random hookup. You probably have a new girl every night.

You don’t get to care. You gave up that right when you broke up with me.

Oh yeah, because you sleeping with someone in the Bahamas really was the right thing to do.

I’m sorry, I told you that already.

I know, okay. Its fine. I have to go to class. I’ll ttyl.

“Sidney slept with someone in the Bahamas.” I said walking into Liam’s room.

“What?”

“He slept with someone on the vacation.”

“And you are mad about this?”

“Yeah.”

“You shouldn’t be.”

“Why?”

“Because you broke up with him and you are sleeping with James.”

“Forget about James! What about him sleeping with someone when we were still together!” I said.

“Just let it go.” He said.