Better Off Friends (24 page)
Read Better Off Friends Online
Authors: Elizabeth Eulberg
Tags: #Young Adult, #Contemporary, #Romance
I couldn’t bear being stuck at home by myself while everybody else was at the dance. It wasn’t like I’d never spent a Saturday night home alone, but there was something that set my nerves on edge that night.
And that something was Levi.
I needed to clear my head, so I went for a walk. Nothing helped. I thought I was being random with each turn I took, but then I found myself at Riverside Park.
I sat on the swings and rocked myself back and forth. What I thought would give me comfort made me feel worse. I felt more alone than ever without Levi there to push me.
I always felt a little alone without him near me.
At first I thought my mind was playing tricks on me when I heard his familiar shuffle. I assumed it was my longing for him that had manifested into what I was hearing.
Then I heard his voice.
“Macallan?”
She paused for a second before she slowly turned around.
“Levi? What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at the dance? Was that Adam’s car that just drove away?”
“Yeah.” I know I only answered her last question because I had no idea what to say to her. “Can we talk?”
She helped me to the picnic bench, the same one we’d met at a few months before. We sat down and my body instantly tensed up from the cold.
“I have something I need to tell you,” I said, “and I really need you to hear me out before you say anything … or run away to Ireland.”
I was expecting a snarky comment or a scared look on her face. All she said was “I promise.”
At this point, I realized there was no going back.
So I took a deep breath.
“I left the dance because I wasn’t with you. You and I both know I’ve been an idiot these last few months. All along I thought that what I wanted out of my high school life was to be with the guys, to have a girlfriend, to be on a team. But even when I had those things, I didn’t feel complete. And that’s because I’m not complete without you.”
I couldn’t take it anymore. “Levi, stop. Please.” I knew I’d promised not to say anything, but he needed to hear what I had to say.
“I know,” I told him. I looked down at the ground — for some reason, I didn’t think I could say everything if I had to look at him. “I know what you’re going to say because I feel the same way.”
My heart stopped. “You do?”
She finally looked at me. “Of course.”
“But what about Ireland?”
She smiled at me. It shattered my heart into a million pieces. “You’re not the only one who’s done stupid things.”
I think my confession of being an idiot left him speechless. I didn’t blame him. It wasn’t something I copped to often.
“Macallan?” I was terrified. But I knew I would never forgive myself if I didn’t give it one more try.
“I love you.”
I wasn’t going to waste this opportunity again. I wasn’t going to be scared. I wasn’t going to run away. I wasn’t going to make excuses.
I almost couldn’t breathe for the few seconds after I spoke. She turned to me and leaned in. I moved forward.
We were only inches away from each other. My entire body pulsated with anticipation. We had kissed before, and not too far from the spot we were in, but this time it was different. It wasn’t a joke, it wasn’t something I did to shut him up, it was something
we
did because we wanted to.
I kissed her.
I kissed him.
It. Was.
Brilliant.
Unlike the first time we kissed, I was anticipating it. I relished her lips on mine. Her hand gently ran through my hair. I pulled her in closer to me, not wanting to have a distance between us ever again.
Even though it was cold outside, I felt nothing but warmth being next to Levi. He pulled away from me briefly to kiss my forehead. “You have no idea how happy you just made me.”
“I think I do,” I replied.
We sat there for a few minutes, his lips resting against my forehead. Us leaning on each other, like always.
This did change everything, but I knew that could be a good thing. Because what we had between us was something I’d never had with anybody else. I couldn’t comprehend being as close to another person the way I was with Levi.
I had been resisting this, but I couldn’t deny that it felt right.
This was how things should’ve been for us. I think we both knew that. I felt Macallan shiver slightly. “Let’s go home,” I said as I gave her another kiss.
Even though I didn’t specify which home we’d be going to, it didn’t matter. This entire time I’d been thinking about where my home was. At first it was California, then Wisconsin. But in truth, home isn’t necessarily where you sleep at night.
It’s where you feel like yourself.
Where you’re most comfortable.
Where you don’t have to pretend, where you can be just you.
I had finally reached that place because Macallan is home to me.
So, as I was saying, guys and girls can be friends.
Best friends.
And what’s better than falling in love with your best friend?
Nothing.
You always have to get the last word in, don’t you?
You know it.
Yes, I do.
Yep.
Oh, Macallan …
Yes, Levi?
I love you.
I love you, too.
And there you are again, having to get the last word in.
But I don’t think you mind.
Not at all.
Good.
B
limey if I know where I’d be without David Levithan, the Floyd to my Buggy (that’s a compliment — I swear!). I’m so happy you said, “Hey, what about writing a book about a guy and girl who are best friends….” I’m honored to have you as an editor, a friend, musical consigliere, and Target chauffeur.
I’m much better off with the fantastic crew at Scholastic behind me. I know how much work goes into getting a book out into the world, and appreciate all of your efforts. Four scoops of custard to Tracy van Straaten, Bess Braswell, Emily Morrow, Stacy Lellos, Alan Smagler, Leslie Garych, Lizette Serrano, Emily Heddleson, Candace Greene, Antonio Gonzalez, Joy Simpkins, Elizabeth Starr Baer, Sue Flynn, Nikki Mutch, and all the sales reps.
Thanks to my agent, Rosemary Stimola, for sprinting the distance with me time and time again.
I owe so much to my family, especially my parents for enduring the torture that was researching Culver’s and Friday night fish fries with me. And my siblings: Eileen, Meg, and WJ, for always cheering on their baby sis. It means the world to me.
I’m so grateful that I have wonderful friends who also make excellent readers: Rose Brock, Jen Calonita, and Bethany Strout. Your input made this book so much better.
In the words of the Almighty K. Clark, my life would suck without: Chris Miller, who bravely drove on the wrong side of the road during our trip around Ireland; Susan North and Amy Miller, who let me crash at their places when I needed peace and quiet; Mark Dowd, Amy Royce, Justina Chen, and my Facebook friends for answering my questions about ACL surgery; Macallan Durkin, who let me borrow her name. And of course my wonderful author friends who’ve made what can be a very solitary job into a community of awesome.
I’d be remiss to not acknowledge the brilliant Nora Ephron, who not only gave the world Harry and Sally, but countless other timeless characters and stories. I’ll always have what she’s having.
To every bookseller, librarian, teacher, and blogger who has recommended my books and every reader who has picked up one of my books: I wouldn’t have this job without you. I know every day how lucky I am to have it, and never take it (or you) for granted. THANK YOU!
ALSO BY ELIZABETH EULBERG
The Lonely Hearts Club
Prom & Prejudice
Take a Bow
Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality
Elizabeth Eulberg
can totally be just friends with certain boys, as long as they have good taste in music. It also helps if the boy is a Green Bay Packers fan. When she’s not busy going through potential friends’ iPods, she’s busy writing about what she finds out from being friends with guys. She’s also the author of
The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice, Take a Bow, and Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality.
You can find her on the web at
www.elizabetheulberg.com
.