Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

Fueled by rage, I kick the door open and Zoey yelps, jumping up to her feet. Standing in the doorway, I glare at her in silence.

Her face crumbles.

She hangs up the call. “Kass, you’re… you’re here. B-But you said you’d be there in fifteen.”

Refusing to waste another breath on her, I sprint to the front door.

“Kass, wait. Why are you leaving?”

Is she serious?

She catches up to me, gripping my arm to hold me back. “Why are you making a scene? It’s not a big deal. It’s not like you ever really loved him. Plus, it’s so clear you’re head over heels in love with Will.”

“It’s not a big deal?” I yell so loud she jerks back a step, letting go of my arm. “You really don’t get it, do you? It’s not about Blake. It’s about you. It’s about the fact that you, my best friend, could do something like that to me. For fuck’s sake, Zoey!”

“Says the girl who almost fucked her brother’s best friend on his bed. This is bullshit, Kass. Stop acting all high-and-mighty. You’re no better than I am,” she spits.

Maybe she’s right. I am a hypocrite, telling my friends not to hook up with my brother when I almost slept with his best friend myself. All I know is I should’ve never confided in her about what happened with Will.

“Don’t make this about me! I trusted you. We’ve been friends since kindergarten, and I always, always had your back. Even when people told me that you were selfish. Even when…” I start crying. Damn it. Pull it together. “When you ditched me again and again for some boy. When you invited me over so I could babysit your sister while you sneaked out. Even when you treated me like a fucking slave. Everybody said you were a bad friend. I never listened. Well, guess what? I’m listening now. You’re selfish, Zoey. Always have been. You’d throw the people closest to you into the fire to get what you want, and I’m done being your fucking puppet. We’re done!”

I swing the door open, but just as I’m about to storm out…

“You want to see selfish?” she hisses. “Fine. Maybe I’ll tell Kendrick about you and his best friend shagging on his bed. Or maybe since we’re done, I’ll finally go after the guy you like. How’s Will doing, by the way? Maybe you could give me his number. I’ll show him what a real woman can do. He obviously needs it. You know… since he was so disgusted by hooking up with you, he literally had to run out of your house.”

I can’t speak, flabbergasted by her cruelty. I was best friends with that monster for thirteen years.

“Oh, well. Wouldn’t be the first time I had to satisfy one of your boys.”

From there, I lose it.

I squeeze the chocolate chip Frappuccino in my hands and throw the drink in her face.

As in all of it.

I only understand what I’ve done once she screams, covered in whipped cream, coffee, and chocolate chips.

“Don’t ever talk to me again.” I rush out of the apartment, slamming her door so hard the walls shake. Nearly suffocating, I hurry back to my car, breaking into sobs the second I’m alone.

I hate myself for how much I want to call him.

He was right.

Will was right.

Sitting in my car and observing the tall building staring back at me, I weigh my options: go to school today and see my ex-best friend or… tell my mom we have to move. To tell you the truth, option number two is looking damn appealing right now.

Blinded by the tears I spent fifteen minutes trying to dry, I drag myself out of my car and shamble toward the entrance. I march down the crowded hall, hoping to hell I’ll survive this day, and unlock my phone to find the text I didn’t open earlier waiting for me.

Will.

I forgot he texted me.

Willy Wonka: I can’t fucking stop thinking about you.

I wince. Goddamn it, Will, why are you doing this to me? Shoving my phone into my back pocket, I turn the corner and…

See him.