Unknown: No, it isn’t. It’s just a series of mistakes that can be undone with a couple of phone calls—or they can become permanent mistakes. It’s your choice. Do it, or you’re going to find out that my third gift is the best one of all.
Taylor: If I end things with Bryant my mother will get her job back?
Unknown: Yes—and she’ll get a raise for this terrible misunderstanding.
Taylor: What about school?
Unknown: Another mistake. They’ll be eternally grateful for the opportunity to sweep it under the rug once they realize it was their error.
I stared at my phone in disbelief. I had no idea if I could trust Alexis to undo all of the damage she had done, but if she had the power to cause it—she probably had the power to fix it. My conscious wouldn’t let me just ignore her, especially if there was a way to set things right. I could hunt Alexis down—I could pound her face into the pavement—and I would end up in handcuffs—on my way to prison. I wasn’t a violent person, even if my rage tried to convince me that I could actually go through with it—all it would do was make things worse. I certainly wasn’t going to throw what was left of my life away.
I need to call a tow truck… I only have one spare tire, and that’s not enough to get me home.
It took two calls to find a tow truck that could come and get me. The driver was a guy named Steve who tried to make light of the situation, which I really wasn’t in the mood for. He changed my good front tire with the bad one in the back so he could tow my car—then let me ride with him to the tire shop. I could only imagine how bad the bill was going to be, but I didn’t have much choice except to pay it. Thankfully, he stopped making jokes when he realized how upset I was, and the drive was filled with silence. That was almost worse than his jokes, because I was fighting back tears while seething with rage—neither of which were going to help with the situation at hand, because I already knew what I had to do.
I have to end my relationship with Bryant and pray it’s enough to fix the damage it’s already caused.
I sat in the waiting area at the tire shop, and my rage finally started to give way to rational thought. As much soul-crushing agony as I was already dealing with, I knew I had to endure one more shattering heartbreak before I could move on. I couldn’t go after Alexis on my own—I couldn’t let my mother lose her job if there was an option for her to keep it—and I couldn’t risk her going after my little sister. There was no doubt in my mind that she would be the next target—and the recipient of Alexis’ third gift. Once my car was done, and the bill was paid, I pulled out my phone so I could text Bryant.
Taylor: Hey. Can I stop by?
Bryant: Of course. I would love to see you!
Taylor: On my way…
The tears returned when I started driving to Benson Estate. I was beaten down, destroyed, and my sanity was barely hanging on by a thread. It was going to get worse before I ever got a chance to heal. The memories I had with Bryant flashed through my head like an anguish-filled montage while I drove. I hated every bit of what I had to do, but it was the only path in front of me that made sense. Deep down, I knew it was the right decision, even if it tore me apart to think about it. Saving my friendship with Victoria wasn’t even a concern anymore—there was no way I would be able to look her in the eyes or come back to Benson Estate again after I drove Alexis’ poisoned dagger through Bryant’s heart—then plunged the poison-soaked blade into mine. I couldn’t even tell him why—all I could do was lie.
I never belonged in the world of the privileged—so now it’s time for me to make my exit.
“I thought I wasn’t going to get to see you again until next weekend.” Bryant walked out with a smile on his face. “I just found out I have to make a trip to the city—this may be the only chance we get to see each other until then.”
The last chance—ever.
“We need to talk.” I looked up at him.
“Have you been crying?” He immediately walked over to me. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t be nice to me right now…” I rejected his attempt at a hug. “I don’t deserve kindness.”
“Taylor, talk to me. Whatever is bothering you—we can work through it.” He took a step back when he realized I wasn’t going to let him hug me.
“No.” I shook my head back and forth. “I came here to tell you that it’s over.”
“Over?” He blinked in confusion. “Why? Are you worried about Victoria? I’m going to talk to her—I know she’s your friend and I know it will be complicated, but we have something special. We’ll find a way to make her understand…”
&n
bsp; “I’m sorry.” I looked down. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I just—I can’t be with you. We made a mistake—I made a mistake.”
I never thought I would call our time together that—but I don’t know what else to say.
“Please…” He held up his hands and tried to approach me, but I took a step back. “Don’t do this. Tell me what’s bothering you and let’s talk about it.”
“I said what I came to say. Bryant, I’m sorry—it really is over.” The tears were coming, so I turned away from him and started walking towards my car.
“Taylor, wait!” He started down the steps after me—and I started running.
I made it to my car before Bryant did, but not quick enough to get my door open. Bryant put his hand on it—and I was forced to look up at him. All of my emotions just flooded out—tears streamed down my face. Bryant pulled me in for a hug, and I didn’t have the strength to push him away. His lips found mine, and I melted into that kiss so fast my knees went weak. I was losing the battle again—the battle I absolutely could not lose. I just wanted to stay in his arms forever—even if there was a slight chance that we could survive—but I couldn’t. I finally found the strength to pull away and get my door open.