Chapter 18

Given the way they separated the last time, Eliza had no idea that the man for whom her heart beats would return to better feelings so quickly, especially since she is aware that Audrey is doing her best for them. to separate. So as not to be disturbed, the young lady takes her guest into the garden and, once they are there, she settles down on a suspended bench and lets herself be swayed tenderly while Noah remains standing in front of her. The urge to hug him very hard against her is great, but she makes it a point to restrain herself, wanting despite everything to make him pay for his action vis-à-vis her.

- What are you doing here? the young woman asks curtly, doing her best to avoid his gaze.

- I came to pay you a little visit.

- A little visit? she takes it back immediately. Have you already forgotten the way you've treated me these past few days? Worse than nothing. I find it a little strange that you're coming back to me since apparently you care a lot about Audrey now... more than me...

- I'm aware that I was mean and...

- Mean? she interrupts him. No, Noah, you were hurtful!

- Forgive me for having acted so badly towards you. It was really not nice of me.

- Do you have any idea what your way of acting made me? You were avoiding me altogether. It hurt so much that I could never hold back my tears. Do you realize that even Mr. Green is worried about me? He even went so far as to summon my parents to see where the problem lay!

- I didn't know that, the young man told him, embarrassed, absolutely not expecting that. I'm really sorry for making you suffer so much.

- Is your sadness supposed to hurt me? she asks, frowning. Do you really think I can forget everything you've done to me these past few days so easily?

- I'll understand if you don't want everything to go back to the way it was between us, but know that I miss you a lot.

- That's not what you show me since Audrey is part of your life...

- Audrey may be part of my life now, but it will never be the same. The bond that unites us is quite different. I miss our friendship very much, Eliza.

- You should have thought of that before turning your back on me, darling. Besides, I didn't think you would be able to be so indifferent towards me.

- I don't want to put five years of friendship behind us.

- It was you who decided that way from the moment you decided that Audrey was better than me. "Don't blame me darling, but you'll have to row before you can have my forgiveness, even if you already have it," she told herself, avoiding a smile.

- Can you forgive me one day?

- Of course, I could, but…

- Why am I not surprised that there is a but?

- But you'll have to make a lot of effort to erase all the pain you've caused me, continues Eliza. I didn't deserve them...

- I'll do whatever you want; I do not want to lose you. "I hope you'll forgive me...I can't live without you. I would even be able to walk naked down the street if you asked me to. What must I do for you to understand that I'm desperate? he asks himself.

- Can I ask you a question? continues the lady.

- I'm listening.

- How come you have more confidence in Audrey when we've known each other for five years? Ever since this chick came into your life, you believe absolutely everything she tells you and I'm the one paying the price.

- That's not true, Eliza! he defends himself.

- Yet you argued with me because of her and I still don't know what she could have said to you that made you end up hating me so much.

- Let me remind you that you called her a whore!

- I never called that chick a whore! What are you telling me here? I would never do such a thing and I thought you knew me well enough to know that.

- You confirmed it to me! Noah justifies himself.

- I told you that I didn't like her style of dress... That doesn't mean that I called her a whore!

- Audrey told me that you did it and that you didn't hesitate to humiliate her.

- It's amazing how much you believe in everything this girl tells you. She does everything to separate us and the hardest part is that she pulls it off.

- So, Audrey has been leading me on from the start?

- You have no idea how much; Eliza points out sadly. You have no idea of ​​all that she made me endure to succeed in separating us and, you, like a perfect idiot, you don't suspect a thing...

- Can I know what? did she make you?

- "It won't do any good for me to tell you; you won't believe me," she told herself before finally speaking up. I won't tell you so as not to create an argument between you, she stops before finishing her sentence in thought, "even if I love you and it would make me happy if you hated her."

- I'm going to talk to Audrey tomorrow so she won't hurt you anymore. She will have to understand that if she can't see you in my life, it would be better if she went elsewhere. I could never live without you.

- "It's really nice of you to say such a thing to me," she said to herself touched. Are you telling me this because you really mean it or just so that I agree to forgive you?

- I sincerely think so, Eliza. You have always been my best friend and not being able to confide in you anymore hurts me a lot.

- As far as I'm concerned, you already know that I miss you a lot... Besides, my mother didn't hesitate to tell you and that I would very much like for everything to go back to the way it was between us.

- So, you forgive me?

- I forgive you, but I hope you won't allow your girlfriend to crush me like she's been doing for the past few weeks and that you won't hesitate to come to my defense when she crosses the line. It would make me happy if you supported me...

- I promise you that you will from now on.

- "I love you so much..." she said to herself when she couldn't take her eyes off him.

Getting somewhat lost in thought, Eliza finds herself kissing Noah passionately on the lips. However, on coming to, the eighteen-year-old gets up and walks over to him to hug him tightly before giving him a big kiss on the cheek. Then they sit on the swing. Even though she went through these difficult times, Eliza is happy to have reconciled with her best friend and she hopes that he will keep his promise by standing up for her when Audrey goes overboard.