Goodbye Dear Exes, I have moved on

“You have now started fighting with her over a piece of inexpensive jwellery? I can't believe it's really you.” Mike also came between us. They both turned to Emily. Darek began wiping her crocodile’s tears while Mike began comforting her, saying, “Don't cry, Emily. It's not your fault. We know how sweet and kind you are.”

I was devastated looking at them like that. They called my father’s last design an inexpensive item, worth noting. But to me, it was the most precious gift from my Dad to me. He wanted me to wear it on my wedding but now it was broken. And instead of comforting me, they were blaming me for being mean.

Darek walked up to me and said, “Apologize to Emily, Janette. You made her cry over a piece of jewelry.”

“I will not.” I said stubbornly.

Mike pulled my arms to look into my eyes, saying in a cold voice, “Janette, Apologize…”

They were so lost in feeling bad for Emily that they didn't even notice my hand was also cut by the broken jwellery and was bleeding.

I suppressed the tears within me and didn't say anything this time. Meanwhile they were still insisting me to apologise to Emily. Just then my Mom called me. I took a few steps away from them to answer her call.

“Hello, Mom.” I said as soon as I picked up the call.

“Janette, I called to ask whether you have booked the flight ticket or I do it for you?” She asked.

“No need, Mom. I have booked the ticket. I’ll soon leave from here.” I replied before hanging up.

Darek and Mike overheard my conversation. They walked up to me and began asking me questions one by one.

“Are you going somewhere, Janette?” Darek asked,

“Why didn't you tell us before? We would have booked the ticket for you.” Mike added.

“Where are you going anyways? You know we don't feel good if you are away for too long.” Darek said with curious eyes.

“Yes, tell us. I hope it's not for long.” Mike said excitedly.

“Why are you not replying, Janette? Say something, where are you going?” Darek asked impatiently.

“Would there be any impact on you two if tell you where I’m leaving for?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” Darek asked, looking confused.

“Nothing,” I shook my head, letting go of the idea of telling them that I was planning to leave everything behind. I just said, “My mom met an accident a day before. She is hospitalized. There is no one in the pack to take care of her. I’m going to see her. I plan to stay with her for a while.”

“Aunt Sarah is hospitalized? Why didn't you tell us earlier?” Mike snapped.

‘Why didn't you tell us earlier?’ had become their usual questions because they were never available when I needed them the most.

“Do you want our help with anything?” Darek asked in a concerned voice.

“No,” I retorted, “I have done everything else. But, if you want you two can come with me. My Mom will be happy to see you. She was even asking about you guys.”

I genuinely wanted them to visit my Mom as she was quite fond of them. She would feel good if they could come visit her with me. However, Darek and Mike glanced at Emily before turning to me. Darek said, “I really want to go with you, Janette. But, you see Emily has just discharged from the Hospital. How can I left her alone here? I’m sorry, I can't.”

“Emily is still injured. She might need medical support anytime. Since I’m a Doctor. I should always stay with her.” Mike added.

They both denied coming with me just because they wanted to be with Emily. I was disappointed with both of my friends. There was a time when they used to make several excuses to leave their respective packs and come live in my pack just to stay close to me. Now, they were making excuses to stay with Emily. I could easily see through them.

Feeling disappointed, I go back to my room. The next morning, I came downstairs to prepare breakfast but was surprised to see all three of them available there.

“What is going on here?” I asked while raising my eyebrows.

“Janette, Emily was feeling bad for your jwellery piece. So, she has cooked breakfast for you.” Darek said excitedly.

“It was completely your fault, yesterday. But, Emily insist on doing something for you to apologise for her mistake. See how considerate she is!” Mike commented, reminding me that I should have apologized to her. Seeing them still accusing me for the last day's incident in which I lost my father's last design made me lose my hunger. I no longer wanted to eat anything.

“I’m not hungry. I don't want to have such a heavy breakfast.” I said while pointing at the Eggs Benedict.

Darek and Mike held my arms and took me to the corner of the kitchen with Darek saying in a low voice, “Janette, how could you be so unthankful. Emily woke up early in the morning just to make breakfast for you and here you are throwing tantrums.”

“I’m not throwing tantrums. I’m just not hungry.” I snapped.

“Even if you are not hungry, you can still eat some for Emily’s sake, can't you? Just be a little considerate towards her, Janette. After all, she is your cousin.” Mike whispered, “Look how hurt she is looking right now. It's all because of you.”

With a defeated sigh, I said, “ Okay fine, I’ll eat.”

I found it pointless to argue with them and came to the dinning hall. Looking at the breakfast before my eyes, I smiled ironically. My two childhood friends were so busy coaxing their new sweetheart that they completely forgot I hated eggs and they were now forcing me to eat Eggs Benedict.

I took one bite from my plate and my eyebrows twitched. It contained lemon juice and I had a very rare citrus allergy. In my reflexive response, I immediately tossed the plate aside, causing it to fall on the floor and stood up choking.

Darek and Mike stood up along with me. I thought they were going to help me. However, they were looking at me with cold eyes before shouting at me. Darek yelled, “What is this behavior, Janette? I get that you didn't want to eat but throwing it on the floor is just too much.”

“How can you do that? Can't you see the efforts Emily had put for you and be pleased?” Mike snapped. Meanwhile, Emily began crying while saying, “I’m sorry, Janette. I just wanted to ease your mind. But if you hate me because I touched your jewelry, I will… I will…”

She began sobbing. Darek and Mike rushed to comfort her.

“Don't cry, Emily. We are with you. And last night's incident. Just forget about it, okay?” Darek said while stroking her hair.

“How about we go shopping and buy new dresses for you, huh? Would you like that?” Mike asked gently. She nodded her head and both of them left with her, leaving me alone. I was choking continuously and needed someone. I had never been left alone in circumstances like this. Earlier my father and my friends were always with me. Even if I got minor scratches on my body, they would rush to offer me help. When I ask them why they care so much about me. They would reply ‘We love taking care of you.’

Their words that once filled my heart with joy were now piercing my heart like an arrow seeing how they had changed in the past six months. I didn't know that their love of ten years was so weak that it could be shaken easily by the arrival of new beauty in their life.