We accept the love we think we deserve.
Kaleeh
I knocked on the door of Kaylee’s house with a secret knock that we invented in fifth grade. That was to let Kaylee know that it was me, not anybody else.
Faster than I could say, “Hi.”, Kaylee came to the door, pulled me in, and let out a big sob right into my sweatshirt. I patted her on the back.
“Makus?”
She nodded, not saying anything.
I led her up to her room so we could talk, or rather, so she could vent.
“Why? He told me he loved me and he said that he couldn’t live without me, and then, the next day, he says that he’s done! That he can’t do it anymore! I was like, ‘Do what anymore?’ and all he says is ‘Us’ and points at me, then at him. He gave me what mattered most to him, his chain necklace that his great-grandmother and grandfather gave to him when he was a baby. When we broke up, he said that he didn’t want to talk to me and that he wanted his necklace back! And after three years! After all we’ve been through! Can you believe that?”
She stopped long enough for me to say, “No, I can’t believe it.”
Kaylee took a shaky breath. I rubbed slow circles along her spine.
“He was the one.” She managed to get out.
“No he wasn’t.” Kaylee tried to protest, but I went on. “You can do so much better than that Kaylee. Remember when he cheated on you? Why would you even accept him after that? Right then I knew that he was no good. You deserve better, because you're my best friend and you have been from, like, kindergarden. I won’t let my best friend get treated like that. You can’t let yourself be treated like that. You can’t be blinded by love.”
She nodded, then let out another wave of tears.
“Tell you what-since it’s Friday, I’ll stay over for the night. I’m sure my mom won’t mind.”
Kaylee smiled for the first time I think all day. “Thanks. That’s why you’re my best friend.”
I laughed. “Glad to know that I’m of some use to you.”
I called my mom right after that, and she of course said yes. My mom knew Kaylee like she was another daughter.
“Be home tomorrow by three, at least.” was all she said.
“Okay mom, see ya.”
I hung up the phone and looked at my struggling friend. “So, where’s the ice-cream and the cheesy movies?”
