Normal P.O.V.

Five Months Later, August 30th, 2011, The First Month Of Junior Year

Charley sat in the student parking lot with Janie as she tried to catch up with the events her and how her summer went. It was eventful, especially with her and Aman now dating, but it was also quiet since it was the first year Jocelyn had not spent any time with her during the summer. She hardly said anything to her at all unless it was a few words at a family event or something. “Charley,” Charley looked at the owner of the voice to see Jocelyn. “Can we talk?” Charley looked at Janie.

“See you in Spanish.” She said to her. Janie nodded.

“Okay,” she said before walking towards the school building.

“It's been a while, huh?” Jocelyn said with awkwardness in her voice.

“It has.” The two stood there in a painful silence. “I heard you went out of the country with your parents last month. It must have been fun,” Charley said.

“It was. You should see the pictures I got of everything. They were stunning.” She said. As happy as that was, the conversation grew quiet once again. Charley sighed.

“Jocelyn, listen, I'm sorry for going behind your back and dating Aman. I know you liked him and I shouldn't have done that. I feel like a complete asshole.”

“I admit, I was angry when I heard, but then embarrassed. When I talked to my mother about everything, she told me about the conversation she had with Auntie Monica. What she learned is that even before I had told you about my confession, Aman would visit or hang out with you and Janie. It became so frequent that she assumed you two were dating, but one day it stopped. I guess that had been when I told you I had feelings for him, right?” Charley slowly nodded.

“But you shouldn't excuse what I have done-”

“It's excused Charley. To tell you the truth, it was kind of obvious you two liked each other. I just chose to be ignorant.”

“But Jocelyn-”

“So Kennedie's after this. If you are not busy with Aman, that is.” A smile grew on Charley's face.

“Okay”

Jocelyn went on to date Jason a month later. Aman and Charley's relationship grew and, on the day of their high school graduation, he proposed. People were ecstatic, but the next day when Charley tried to call Jocelyn, the call rang once and then went to voicemail. It seemed as though her happy streak with Jocelyn was no longer there and instead; she was left with the pieces she had to put together to find the answer as to why Jocelyn no longer wanted to talk to her.

Kennedie's Treats, January, 18th 2015

Charley sat in disquiet. It's been almost four years since she last talked to Jocelyn, but a quick email was what got her to agree to come out and meet her. It was a surprise that despite all the blocked calls, letters ignored, and messages sent to her from one family member to another, that an email was what got Jocelyn to answer. Her eyes went to her nearly bitten-off fingernails tapping against the table. This day has raised Charley's nerves high.

What if she says the wrong thing

and angers Jocelyn?

“Charley?” Charley's eyes went up to the amber-skinned green-eye, long brunette-haired woman. As she saw Jocelyn, her eyes teared up. Jocelyn sighed and shook her head before sitting down in the chair across from her. “I thought you stopped being emotional in high school. Now you are emotional again?” How could she not be? It's been four years since she has even heard her cousin's voice. Who wouldn't react this way?

“How have you been?” Charley asked.

“I have been fine. Finished my finals last week, and I am engaged to Jason.” She said as she raised her hand. Charley's eyes widened. A smile grew on her face.

“Congratulations-”

“Mom said you didn't go into fashion. Why? I thought you loved it.” She should have known that Jocelyn would ask her about that.

“Well, I talked to some family members, and they said that the fashion industry is tough and that I should do something more stable.”

“So you went for a different major?” Charley nodded. Jocelyn shook her head. “Why do you listen to them?”

“I mean, because of their advice, I was able to meet some cool people in my university. I even met John Wilkinson.”

“The lead singer of the Roses?” Jocelyn asked. Charley nodded rapidly.

“He came to perform during the school’s 50th anniversary. Turns out he's an alumni.”

“Oh, that's cool. So what about Aman and you? The wedding happen yet?”

“It's in the summer. The planning has been more simple than I thought. It's just that I don't feel right without asking you something-”

“If it's to be one of your maids of honor, hell no.” 

“Jocelyn-”

“You ask me to be the maid of honor at the wedding of a man you dated behind my back-”

“You said you were fine with it-”

“Fine with it? I was fine with you two dating, but hearing the cheating rumors, I didn't think it would last. That's why I didn't care much but hearing-” The taste of metal flooded Charley's mouth.

“Cheating?”

“With Kennedie back in high school.”

“There is no way he would.”

“Do you ever wonder why Kennedie never looks you in the eyes?” Tears filled Charley's eyes. “I would ask if you are going to stay with him, but part of me says that you will. You were always stupid when it came to men.” Jocelyn's phone began to ring. Jocelyn looked at it before she sighed. She stood up. “Look, I have to go-” Charley stood up and slapped Jocelyn. Jocelyn stared at Charley in shock. The workers and those sitting inside in their seats did as well. Charley was no different from everyone else. She was shocked that she had done what she had done. Jocelyn's brows furrowed while her face scrunched up with anger and hurt.

“Just know this big cousin. I absolutely fucking hate you.” Jocelyn walked out. Charley felt herself begin to hyperventilate as Jocelyn's words echoed in her head.

Aman cheated on her when they were in high school with Kennedie. People knew and didn't say anything? How come no one told her and let everything happen? She did so much for him and he just plays as though nothing happened?

“Hey, Charley-” said a sand-toned woman with a curvy figure, short height, shining light blue eyes, long straight blonde hair, and freckles on her face, otherwise known as Kennedie. “I don't think I will be able to cater the wedding.” Charley's hands balled. “Charley?” She looked at the blue-eyed woman with anger.

“I know what you did and I will deal with your ass when I get back.” Charley ran out of the door. She located Jocelyn to see her crossing the crosswalk. Charley ran as fast as she could to catch up with her. “Jocelyn! Jocelyn!” Jocelyn turned around. “Jocelyn, I shouldn't have-” Jocelyn ran towards her and pushed her back. In seconds, a car came and hit Jocelyn head-on. A scream of terror left Charley's lips as the scene appeared before her.

Now

Charley's P.O.V.

I looked at Sang-ook, who gave me a look of shock. “She saved you?” He asked me. I nodded. “That still doesn't excuse what she has been doing to you.”

“What I did after made it no better.”

“Unless you said terrible things or made her feel like garbage there is no reason-”

“She asked me to do one thing after that for her and I couldn't.”

“That was eight years ago. You have done more than enough for her in response. If she has been giving you trouble for this long and now physically harming you, then how long will it be before she does something else.” She looked away from me.

Sang-ook's P.O.V.

Charley looked to be in thought. I sighed to myself. I understand now why she may feel the way she does, but look at her. I turned Charley's face to mine. I stared at her busted lip and scratched face. “Sang-ook, that marriage proposal you made to me. I accept.” I froze.