When Our Paths Misaligned

 

 

"YOU REALLY are stupid, Raine!" I heard Dawn shout from behind. I accelerated my walk to the mall parking lot even more. "What the hell did you get into, huh?"

The footsteps of her shoes quickened as she approached me. Dawn took a grip on my left hand. If I hadn't clung to her, I would have stumbled.

"Don't turn your back on me, Best. I'm talking to you. What's the issue I watched in Andie's live video? Why did you pour coffee on Shawn?"

I simply shook my head. I was not in the mood to listen to her sermons. "Boys will always be boys. And I hate them all." I pulled my hand away from her.

"What kind of drama is this, Best?"

I never dared to answer. I turned my back on her and continued walking to my car. Dawn followed me again.

"You're really bad, Raine!" I heard her shout. I rolled my eyes. “I am no longer happy with what you are doing. Don’t you feel guilty for what you did to Shawn inside earlier? You made him go viral on the internet!”

"He deserves it. This conversation is over. I have nothing to feel guilty about. In the first place, that man has lots of arrears with me."

“Wow. I can't really spell your brain anymore, Raine. I don't know if you're still the Raine who's been my friend for so many years!”

"People change," I simply said, then finally got in the car. "And before you speak, first find out what really happened, Dawn. I'm the victim here! Me!"

"How do I know if you have never told me anything?!" Her voice rose to a scream. I gazed around. We were the only two in the parking lot. "We’re best friends, but I don't feel that way. I feel like every day you're hiding something from me. Admit it to me, Raine."

"Stop." I sighed. I opened the door to the driver's seat and entered. I banged the door shut. “My head hurts now, Dawn. This is not the time for you to preach at me.”

"No!" She grabbed the open window and brought her angry face closer to mine. “My brain is a mess now. You told me, Shawn left that night. You never knew where he went. You looked for him, you waited two years. All I know is you love him. But why? What happened? Why did you insult Shawn in front of so many people? What really happened then?"

I put on my seatbelt. I didn't know what had happened that night. I started the engine. To my surprise, Dawn suddenly slammed the hood of my car.

"So, you're rude to me now too? Okay, fine! If that's what you want, take care of your life! I won't bother you anymore!" She distanced herself from me.

My forehead furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I hope you're happy with what you're doing. But I hope you feel guilty for Shawn. That man is back, but you're still driving him away. And forget that we became friends too!"

She then walked away. That was the last time I saw or talked to Dawn.