Chapter 43 Accept Me
It’s a bit awkward in the room. Noah, Kyson, and Cassie sit on the couch across from Alec and me.
Noah is looking between Cassie and me while Alec has his arm around my shoulders. Kyson looks slightly bored at what is happening. I haven’t gotten to know Kyson very much, partly due to the fact that he isn’t normally here when I am. But I think it’s also Alec’s choice, sometimes I get the vibe that he’s worried Kyson might get too rough with me, his words and actions. Which I can understand because from what I can tell, he is the wild card of the group.
“I’m sorry that I lied to you. I hope you can forgive me and we can be friends again.” Cassie breaks the silence.
It’s not like I was purposely trying to make her apologize first, but I didn’t really know what to say to her anymore.
“I understand it for the most part now, but it still hurts that you lied to me about everything. I mean, I really thought we were friends.”
“We are friends. I mean, we were. Yes, I lied about myself, but our friendship was very real to me. I don’t want you to think that was fake because it wasn’t.”
“But you approached me with the goal of being my friend, already knowing who I am.”
“I know how bad it is. Genuinely, though I truly deeply cared about you and Beth. I considered you guys my best friends. I would’ve told you everything if I could and fix it, but it wasn’t my place.”
The mention of Beth reminds me of her involvement in all of this. “What about Beth? She doesn’t know anything.”
She looks torn at my question. “I don’t know. I hope that she’ll accept me again, but I really don’t know if she will. Without the truth, I look like a wackjob and a prick.”
I can see how bad she feels about it. I’m still frustrated with her, but I try to put myself in her shoes. If I were in her situation, it would feel impossible. She’s the one who has to live with being a werewolf. She didn’t choose to keep this big secret, which I’m sure has dampened many friendships. Instead, she’s stuck with this group of boys. I know how girls can be, and how unforgiving they can be. How much they question every little thing. I’m not going to let her suffer through this anymore.
“I understand why everything happened the way it did. I forgive you, Cassie, and I would love to be your friend again. But I just need you to promise you won’t lie to me like that again. I want to know who you really are, not some facade.”
She smiles widely, obviously happy that I want to continue this with her. “Do you think Beth will accept me back too?”
It’s hard, on the one hand: Beth really liked her and will trust my opinion about being her friend again. On the other hand, Beth is a firecracker, and I know it won’t be easy for her to accept her again.
“I don’t know. I think if we give it some time and go about it carefully, she’ll gladly be your friend again.”
She looks hopeful, so I make it my plan to ensure they become friends again, even if Beth never knows the full truth, she’ll know her better.
“I’ll talk to her and tell her we made up and that you want to be our friend again. I’ll give her my opinion and start opening her to the idea of it.”
“Thank you so much, Anna. I’m so glad that we fixed this.”
I get up from the couch, letting Alec’s arm flop onto the sofa. She stands too, and I welcome a hug from her.
“It’s nice to have you back.” She says, letting me go.
“You’ll have to put your number in my phone so we can hang out again.”
“That phones supposed to be for me only.” Alec butts in, his tone light.
“She’s my bestie now, so you’ll just have to share.” Cassie scolds him.
“Hey, what about me? I think I deserve to be in that phone too.” Noah adds.
It’s fun being with this group.
Kyson’s the only one who hasn't asked for my number yet. “Do you want to be added to my phone too?” I ask him teasingly.
He smirks, “Sure, why not?” He looks at Alec as he puts his number into my phone. He’s trying to get on his nerves.
“Okay, that’s enough harassing my girlfriend.” He steps in, pulling my hand to bring me back onto the couch next to him.
They grumble but stop at his command, even though it was a joke. It’s been a while since they’ve all been here, while I’m here as well. Actually, why did they all come here for the conversation with Cassie?
“Why are you guys here?” Noah pretends to be wounded. “Not like that, I just mean why did we have to have this conversation with everyone as our witness?”
They falter, looking to Alec beside me.
“What? Worry I was going to cause her to shift?” My tone is light as I mean it as a total joke, but they don’t laugh. Oh. Was that really a concern?
“Partly that, but we were also worried about you.” Alec answers.
“Worried about me? What do you mean?”
“We didn’t want you to get upset and flip out on Cassie.” Kyson answers this question.
His answer takes me off guard. I know I may not be a compete push over, but I’ve never threatened Cassie or anyone for that matter before. I would be more worried about Beth than me.
“Why me? I’m not like that.”
“No, we’re not saying you are, we were just trying to be careful and consider every possibility that could occur.” Noah tries to save it.
I lean away from Alec to get a full look at him. “Do you really think I would start a fight with her? And a physical one at that?” He’s been put on the spot.
“No, not really. I just didn’t want you to get hurt if she lost her temper. I don’t think you would do anything like that, baby. I know how you are, and that’s not you.” He rambles, trying to save himself.
Cassie laughs loudly, startling us. “This is great, you’re screwed, Alec.”