Chapter 6

I was annoyed that the question in my mind didn't even have to be asked and flung the watch on the floor.

At this point, it was exactly what I wanted to do. "What am I to you, when you can't stop talking about Carl? Do you even have a brain, doing everything he says? If you find him that much better and 'different', then go out with him!"

Naomi frowned, her eyes flashing angrily. "Don't be so unreasonable! There's nothing between us—he's like a brother to me! And he's been kind enough to save our relationship, spending his precious time picking a gift for you!

"Forget not being grateful—you have to insult him?! When did you become like this?! It's like I don't know you anymore!"

I laughed. "I never changed. But you did, so I had to adapt. Also, should I be grateful? For what, driving us apart? If you even had a heart, you would remember that I hate green!"

Naomi was ready to argue but was cut short when her phone rang—it was a special ringtone instead of the default one, which she answered without hesitation.

Suddenly, her tone was very tender as she asked, "What's wrong, Carl… What! Alright, just calm down. I'm coming!"

As she hung up, she quickly explained, "Carl got a little feverish after having a drink—I need to go back and take care of him. Inform my parents on my behalf…"

She then paused and added coolly, "Also, I hope you will properly think about your behavior. The next time you come to Avon, I will bring you along to meet Carl and apologize."

I laughed and shot back, "So Carl had time to call you but not call an ambulance? It's a fever, not paralysis. Also, it takes another three hours to get back to Avon—you think you'd reach him faster than an ambulance?"

Naomi frowned at me with disgust like never before. "When did you become so repulsive?! Carl is a genius! That means he won't let just anyone see him being vulnerable, and it's all the more reason I should take care of him as his friend! Can't you be more understanding?!"

I laughed again, feeling tears in my eyes as never could I have expected to hear Naomi call me repulsive.

We had known each other for twenty years and had been together for six.

Somehow, none of that was worth mentioning compared to a person she had met barely a year ago.

I fought back my years as I picked up the box and shoved it into her hands. "Goodbye, Naomi."

I didn't want to see her ever again.