The Love of My Bully

“It’s not about the guy. You know I hate Drake and can’t stand him. I do everything I can to avoid that piece of shit. No, this is about more than that. Ree may hate us, and I accept that, but it doesn’t mean we have to be terrible people because of it, does it? We’re better than that. Otherwise, we’re the same as the people we hate.”

Sean shook his head. “Nah, I don’t buy that. You see, it’s different because we’re not assholes and everyone else is a fucking prick. That’s not on us.”

“Come on, don’t be like that,” she said.

“We can’t keep on hanging out with her. You’ve got to realize that girl is toxic. No, even more than toxic.”

“You don’t mean it.”

“I do. I’m not like you, Prudence. I’m not a good guy. I don’t see the good in everyone.”

“Neither do I.”

“No? Then why are you even considering going to Drake’s party when you know he hates your guts, and you’re going to get hurt in the process? None of it makes any sense. I’m sorry, but you’re making a mistake going there tonight. Ree may be our friend, but if she was a real, true friend, an honest-to-God great friend, she’d be with us right now rather than wanting you to hurt yourself by going and dealing with whatever bullshit they’ve got going on.” He held his hands up in the air. “I’m sorry, but it’s true. You shouldn’t go there tonight.”

“If I don’t, Ree will do something stupid.”

“That’s on her.”

“I can’t do that. I can’t just pretend like everything is okay.”

Sean let out a frustrated growl. “For fuck’s sake, Pru. It’s not up to you to save other people. Ree’s a full-grown chick. She can do whatever the hell she wants.”

“What about you? On the first day of school, Drake hated me, but rather than ignore me like the rest of the others did, you befriended me. What about that? You want me to just forget that? You were nice to me and I refuse to stoop to anyone else’s level.”

“I liked you. Drake’s a dick. Always has been and always will be. This thing with Ree, if you go tonight, you’re going to regret it.”

“Then come with me,” she said. She watched him hesitate and knew she could at least try to convince him. “Look, all it will take is me literally walking in, dropping Ree off, and coming straight out. Nothing out of the ordinary. You can even keep the car running. Come on, please. Please.” She pressed her hands together, hoping her begging would at least encourage him to consider it.

Sean sighed, staring at her. “You know I don’t like this.”

“I know, but come on. It’s just one time and you don’t even have to go in to see them. I’ll do it. I’ll do all the work.” It wasn’t like she wanted to go to a party, anyway. She had no interest in being around Drake.

Even the thought of leaving her home was so oddly irritating to her. Part of her wanted to scream and shout at Ree for being a complete and total bitch and for not seeing the true side to the asshole she wanted to date.

Why date someone who won’t even allow you to enter his party? She didn’t get it. The guy clearly wanted nothing to do with her friend, and yet, here she was, begging Sean to drive over there so she could help her.

“I can see you’re working this out for yourself,” he said. “You think this is going to be the last party Ree wants to attend. Drake knows you’re friends with her. He’s aware that your soft spot is your friends. You were once the big-city girl yourself and now, you’re just you, and he knows how to exploit it. This isn’t going to be good for you.”

“I know.”

“But you still want to go and help our friend?”

“Don’t say it like that.”

“I’m saying it how it is, and you’re not listening. Ree will do this every single time because she wants what she does. She’s not a very good friend and you know it.”

She knew. “You’ve got a condition to us going and helping her, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“You need to stop. This one time and then that’s it. No more. No more helping Ree. She has to go as our friend.”

“Sean, come on, you don’t mean that.”

“I do. You think it’s easy for me when I see her laughing at the bullshit he does? No, it’s not. I’m your best friend. Your only friend and I don’t find what he does funny, Pru. I find him repulsive and I want nothing to do with him. Not a single thing. If you want us to go to this thing, we’re doing it for Ree, and that’s it. You’ve also got to make her aware this is the last time we’re helping her.” He folded his arms, and she knew he meant business. This wasn’t a silly, petty demand. This was him putting his foot down, and there was no way for her to stop it. “What’s it going to be? I care about you. You know this.”