The Tragedy of Loving Jamie Clarke by Rebecca R. Cohen

cool.
    Jamie gives me this sour look. He clearly doesn’t want to go but I figure that once he finds out how important it is to my parents, and to me, he’ll be on board.
    “Okay, I know that you would probably rather gouge out your eyes than dress-up in a costume but these parties can be a lot of fun and by the end of the night you won’t even remember you’re wearing a ridiculous outfit” I promise.
    “I am just not the costume kind of guy,” Jamie replies calmly.
    “It’s just one night and I’ll even help you pick out the costume. I know this awesome shop in town that sells some really cool ones,” I negotiate in my best I-should-be-a-lawyer voice. 
    Jamie is sitting on the edge of the bed with his legs dangling off the side. He folds his arms across his chest and sighs. “I’m sorry babe, I’m just not into the whole Halloween thing.”
    “But it’s for my parents and it's only one night,” I whine. “It is really not that big of a deal.
    “It’s not just for your parents it's for the entire employee roster,” Jamie snaps. “And it’s not just a costume, April. I am being told to look like an idiot.” I never expected him to be this upset about wearing a costume.  I don’t know why he is getting agitated with me; it isn’t like he asked me to go to an important party for his parents and I basically said no. It shouldn’t, but it feels like a slap in the face. I also feel like he is disrespecting my parents.
    “Oh don’t be ridiculous” I bark. “It's just one night Jamie. Haven’t you ever gone Trick or Treating or dressed up for Halloween?”
    “No as a matter of fact, I never have and never will!”
    “But I really want you to come and it would mean a lot to my parents too!” I yell.
    Jamie launches off the bed. His lips flatten as he reaches for my hand. “What’s the big deal, April? If you’re only going for an hour you don’t really need me there. Why not go with your parents and call me when you get home and we can see a movie or something.”
    I jerk my hands out of his and fold them across my chest. I want him to know that I’m angry and the whole concept of we’ll-make-plans-after response is unacceptable. “You have to pick your battles,” my mother’s words of advice flop around in my head as I try to figure out what to say. Is this a battle I really want to continue? Is it worth arguing over or should I let it go? What would really change if he didn’t come with me to the party? But I’ve already decided how I am going to handle it with the absolute worst thing I could say.
    “Why don’t you want to go, Jamie? Do you not like my parents?” I shout. “Because they love you.”
    “Geez, April,” Jamie says heading for the door. “Do you really think I’m that much of a jerk? I just don’t want to go. I won’t do it! And I don’t want to be questioned about it.”
    Okay this is where my brain would typically give into my heart but I’m expecting my period any day so calm and reason isn’t exactly my strength right now.
    “God, Jamie, it’s just a freaking party. If you really love me you’ll go.”
    Well that should do it! I have blackmailed him with, “if you really love me,” and I can’t take it back. I’ve taken the argument too far and the only way to move on now is to give him time to cool down. He is pissed and he has every right to be. It is a stupid costume, it’s supposed to be fun, but if he doesn’t want to be forced to wear one then I shouldn’t force him to. I know it’s not going to do anything but I have to at least try the apology tour.
    “Sorry Jamie, I shouldn’t have said that,” I rush to him before he gets another foot out the door. I pull on his arm but he won’t budge so I stand at his side. “I don’t know what is wrong with me today. If you don’t want to go its fine we can grab a movie or something when I get back, okay?”
    Of course it’s not okay. I freaked out on him over a stupid outfit. I don’t