The One For Me by Layla James Page B

Really leaving. I knew he would some day. I knew we didn’t love each other like we should, but it…it’s happening. I’m going to be alone. I won’t wake up to him anymore. ”
    I squeeze my mom tighter. God, I’ve been so selfish. I haven’t even considered my mom’s feelings. It’s all about me. She is losing her husband. She is losing twenty years of her life.
    “I just don’t know where everything went wrong. It just happened. He didn’t care, I didn’t care. We barely spent time together. It became routine being together. ”
    I clear my throat and run my fingers through my mom’s hair. “This happens every day. People fall in and out of love. It’s as simple as turning a switch on and off. I know Daddy and you love each other, but sometimes it’s easier to love someone and not be with them. Does that make any sense?”
    She smiles into my shoulder. “Yes and no. It just hurts, that’s all. He said you ran off today.” She pulls back to look at me. “I know this is probably going to be hard for you, but we can handle it. We can get through this all by ourselves. We will have each other. ` ”
    I nod. “I know we can. We just have to believe that we can.”
    She nods, pulls me down onto her lap and strokes her fingers through my hair. “I’m the one supposed to be giving you advice, not the other way around.” She smiles. “When did you get so smart on relationships?”
    I shrug. “I’m not, believe me.” I have a pretend relationship right now, I do not need to give anyone advice.
    Mom wipes her eyes. “How are things at school? With Jennifer, Hayden…Liam?”
    I twist in her lap. I desperately want to get away from her now. The mother daughter moment seems to have gone from lovey to uncomfortable. “Um, things are fine. Hayden is jealous.”
    Mom lifts an eyebrow. “You aren’t trying to make him jealous are you? Because, as your Mom I have to tell you that is never a good idea. ”
    Yes . “No. It’s just kind of a perk that comes along with it. He even bumped into Liam and me today when we were…” I trail off. Shit. Mom doesn’t need to know the gory details.
    “When you were what?” she asks.
    “Talking in the hallway… hey, I guess I’m going to head on upstairs to work on some homework.” That does not exist.
    She lifts an eyebrow. “I told you he was cute,” she says. “I knew you two liked each other. I can tell by the way he looks at you.”
    Looks at…me? He doesn’t, does he? My heart flips in my chest. My stomach feels like bees are swarming inside of it . “ How does he…look at me?”
    Mom smiles. “He is your boyfriend. You see how he looks at you.”
    But, it’s just pretend. “ Yeah, I guess sometimes, it just happens.”
    “Oh,” Mom says, standing up. She rummages around in her purse. “Jennifer called and told Dad about the dance this Friday.” She pulls out a wad of cash. “Dad left this for you. Jennifer explained how extremely important it is for you to have the ultimately perfect , sexy dress for homecoming. Her words not mine.”
    I grab the money. “Thanks Mom.”
    “Thank your Dad.”
    Maybe later . “Talk to you later.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
    “Come on, try the one with the sides out,” Jennifer says, pushing me into the dressing room.
    I groan. She is really bossy . “I’ll look like a baby prostitute,” I whine.
    “You’ll look hot. Believe me I know fashion.” She twirls around showing off her kitten sweater. “You may not be able to tell because my mother still dresses me, but one day…” she says.
    I laugh and lock the dressing room door. I slip into the dress, zipping myself up. “So, what are you wearing?” I ask through the door.
    “Oh, I’m not going,” Jennifer says.
    What? “What? You’re making me go and you’re not even going? Why aren’t you going?” I ask, stepping out of the dressing room. Jennifer