reasons
chapter ten

My cell phone rang that night and I was surprised to see Adam’s number on the screen.

“Adam?” I answered, my surprise evident in my voice.

“Yeah, hey. Um, I think we need to talk about what happened Friday. I feel bad about what I said, I was a little harsh and I feel like I owe you an apology. It was your decision to do what you did and I had no right to-“

“Adam, you don’t have to apologize. It was a dumb choice on my part, and you were right in saying what you did, I don’t hold it against you.” I said softly.

“Okay. I just felt like I needed to tell you that.”

“Thanks. That means a lot.” There was an awkward pause.

“I… see you tomorrow, Vanessa.” he said, stumbling over his words a little.

I wanted to tell him everything so badly- why I had done what I did- but decided against it. I didn’t think it was worth making things even more weird between us.

“Yeah. See you.” I replied. I was about to hang up when I heard his voice come from the phone again.

“Wait. Vanessa?” he said.

“Yeah?”

“I… I meant to say something else too. I didn’t tell you the whole truth just now, or at the party.” he said quickly.

“The… whole truth?” I could hardly breathe.

“The reason I reacted… the way I did. I… Vanessa, I like you a lot… I have for awhile. And seeing you with Ethan- I… was really jealous. I’m sorry,” he said.

I couldn’t speak.

“Adam, I- I don’t know what to say,” I stuttered.

“I knew I shouldn’t have told you,” he said, as if to himself.

“No, Adam! No, it’s because I… I’ve been wanting to say the same thing to you for such a long time. I had no idea you felt that way.” I admitted. My eyes filled up with tears.

There was a short silence.

“…Really?” he asked.

“Adam, the only reason I ever even talked to Ethan at the party was to make you jealous,” I said.

“Guess it worked,” he said, laughing a little.

“Yeah,” I said, smiling. “Yeah, I guess it did.”