Split

by Alicia Rades

  “Well, Dad, if you really want to know, we’re part of an illegal drug cartel, and we spent the day painting pictures so we can hide the drugs inside the canvas and smuggle them across the border.”

  My father’s eyes widened.

  “Dad, I’m kidding.” I rolled my eyes and took a seat at the table.

  “Well, yeah,” he said flatly. “That was obvious.” He tossed his tie onto the kitchen counter and smoothed down his brown hair. It was beginning to gray around the edges. I’d suggested he dye it, but he thought it made him look more sophisticated and experienced. Whatever.

  “Seriously, we just hung out and drew and stuff.” I shrugged. “We went out for lunch.” My parents wouldn’t know the difference if I had left the house or not, but it’s not like I was irresponsible and would go behind their backs or anything. “By the way, I’m planning to meet up with Logan and Aaron again tomorrow. That’s okay, right?” They didn’t mind, as long as I told them where I was going and didn’t bring a guy back to the house when they weren’t around.

  My mother sighed as she settled into the chair across from me. “You can’t keep leading the poor boys on, Maddie.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m meeting with them.”

  She eyed me curiously. “Okay. Can we say a blessing on the food?”

  ***

  After dinner, I escaped to my room and checked my phone. Neither Logan nor Aaron had texted me all week. My parents would probably be surprised when they received our phone bill next month. They wouldn’t know what to think about such a sharp decline in texts.

  I didn’t send the text yet, though. Everything about Logan felt right, but asking them to meet with me still made me nervous every time I thought about it. I pulled out my sketchbook again and flipped to the page I’d been drawing of Logan. Yes, I’m sure he’s the right choice. I’m his muse, and he … well, he brings me to life.

  I lay in bed that night redefining Logan’s features in the drawing. I focused on his soft jawline and straight nose. I loved the way his hair curled up at the ends, and I accented that in the image. His eyes I could never get right, though. It was like in real life they shone brighter than I could represent in a drawing.

  I fell asleep that night thinking about Logan and the future we’d have together.

  ***

  By the time I woke up, the sun was shining brightly into my room, and I wasn’t as nervous about contacting Logan and Aaron. My parents had already left for work. I headed downstairs and poured myself a bowl of cereal. Parrot rubbed his body against my leg affectionately.

  “You already have food in your bowl,” I told him.

  He looked up at me and meowed. Right. He could see the bottom of his dish. To him, that meant he didn’t have any food left. I gave in and poured him some extra food, and he quietly dug in while I settled myself into a chair at the table.

  I pulled my phone out while eating and sent the text I’d been dreading. My fingers didn’t quiver like they had every time I thought about it last night. In fact, I wasn’t even worried at this point. My body completely relaxed, and I knew I’d made the right decision.

  Made a decision. Can we meet for lunch?

  I sent the text to both of them and quickly received a reply from Logan. He was a go. Before I finished my cereal, Aaron also texted back saying he was available. I stared down at Aaron’s text slightly heartbroken. It’s not that I thought I’d made the wrong choice; I just knew it was going to hurt him.

  I thought about dressing up to some extent, but I had to remind myself that this wasn’t a date. Instead, I wore my typical jeans and tee and brushed my dark hair into a high ponytail. I added some mascara and lip gloss, but that was it.

  I still had several hours until lunch and didn’t know what to do with myself, so I clicked on the TV and opened my sketchbook to a new page. When Parrot crossed through the living room, I called to him to sit by me, but he ignored me and ran up the stairs to sleep on my bed.

  “Sure,” I called to him. “You only love me when you want food.”

  I turned back to my drawing just before I heard the buzz of my phone. My heart leapt in my chest. Was it Logan? I opened the message to find it was Alaina asking what our plans were for the day. I texted her back, telling her that if she wanted to hang out, it’d have to be after lunch. The minutes seemed to tick by slowly as I waited to meet up with the boys. As noon approached, my pulse quickened. I couldn’t tell if I was nervous or excited. It was probably a combination of both. Eventually, I gave up the wait and flipped my sketchbook closed. I pulled my bicycle out of the garage and rode to the café. I arrived early even though I’d tried to pedal slower than normal. Neither of them were there yet, so I sat at a table by myself.

  The waitress, a girl named Laura, came to my table while I was still sitting alone.

  “Are you ready to order, or do you need a few minutes?” she asked.

  I knotted my hands in my lap. “I’m waiting for some people. Can I start with a water?”

  “Sure thing.” She retreated from my table the same time Aaron entered the café.

  My nerves sprang to life again, and I anxiously waved him over. He wore an empty expression, like he wasn’t sure what to feel yet. Honestly, it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. It’d be easy for him to get over me and find another girl.

  He pulled out the chair across from me and sat. “So, we’re alone. What does that mean?” His tone was as hard to read as his face.

  “Don’t worry. Logan is coming, too. I wanted to tell you together.”

  Laura returned with my water. “Can I get you something to drink?” she asked Aaron.

  He smiled up at her. “Water is fine, thanks.” His gaze returned to mine, and I was surprised when I didn’t feel my normal blush rise to my cheeks. I really had made the right choice.

  Logan entered the café before Laura made it back with Aaron’s water. He spotted us right away. He gave a friendly smile when he sat in the chair next to Aaron, but again, it was like he didn’t know what to expect. I couldn’t blame him.

  “Will anyone else be joining you?” Laura asked. She was probably annoyed by running back and forth for water.

  “No, this is it,” I told her.

  “And can I get you anything to drink?” she addressed Logan.

  He shook his head. “No, thanks. I’m fine.”

  That seemed odd considering he usually ordered a soda. As soon as I thought it, I realized he was probably preparing for a quick exit in case he wasn’t the guy I chose.

  “Do you need a few more minutes, then?” she asked.

  “Yes, please,” I answered.

  “So.” Aaron got right to the chase. “Who’s it going to be?”

  I didn’t even need to take a deep breath to calm myself. I was confident in my decision. I reached for my water glass, finally revealing the bracelet around my wrist. Aaron had to do a double take, and a smile formed across Logan’s face.

  I didn’t have to think twice about announcing it. “I choose Logan.”

  Aaron chewed the side of his lip and nodded like he understood, but I couldn’t miss the tension in his jaw. He stood.

  “Aaron,” I tried, but it was no use.

  “It’s okay, Maddie,” he said in a tone that didn’t reflect the anger in his face. He stood behind his chair, gripping onto the back of it tightly. “You know why? Because one day, you’re going to realize that this,” he gestured between himself and me, “was meant to be. Eventually, you’ll realize that we should be together. And I’ll wait for you because you’re worth it.”

  And then he turned and exited the café. I swallowed the disappointment rising in my throat. I didn’t like hurting him like that, but as my eyes drifted back to Logan’s beaming face, I knew I’d made the right choice. Aaron was wrong. I wasn’t supposed to be with him. I was supposed to be with Logan.

  CHAPTER 4

  AARON

  I parted the beaded curtains and thought about what Chloe h
ad just said to me. The lady was completely unconvincing, but at least I finally made a decision. She refused to take my money, saying she had a feeling I’d be back sometime. I didn’t feel bad about getting the session free. I found Alaina admiring the dream catchers nearby, but we didn’t say anything until we exited the shop.

  “How’d it go?” she asked with raised eyebrows.

  I couldn’t help but blush. “I made a decision.”

  “That’s great! What’d she do? Look into her crystal ball?”

  I laughed as I settled into the passenger seat. “Not exactly. I chose at random, and honestly, I’m happy with my decision.”

  “Oh? So who’s the lucky guy?”

  I pulled the angel wing charm away from my body to look at it. “Aaron.”

  We drove slowly along the street.

  “Well, that’s good,” Alaina said. “Your family will love him.”

  I let the smile that was fighting its way onto my face win. “Yeah, they will.”

  “Is the buffet on this street or the next one?”

  “It’s past that stop light. By the way, did you and Chloe talk about me?”

  Alaina glanced sideways at me. “No. What would make you say that?”

  I shrugged without answering, but I wasn’t sure I believed Alaina. Hadn’t Chloe mentioned Logan’s and Aaron’s names? I tried to remember if I’d said their names out loud, but I couldn’t recall my exact words. Either Alaina was lying to me or Chloe was the real deal. Or maybe I just had a bad memory. What did it matter at this point, though? I’d made a decision, and that’s what this whole “psychic reading” thing was supposed to accomplish.

  “Mm.” Alaina pulled into a parking space at the Chinese restaurant. “Can’t wait for the egg rolls.”

  ***

  We returned home and headed to my room, where I placed Logan’s bracelet in my jewelry box. Would he want it back? After all, he’d hand made it. I didn’t want all that work to go to waste. If anyone understood how much work went into a good piece of art like that, it was me.

  “So, how are you going to tell them?” Alaina asked, plopping down onto my bed.

  “I think I’ll text them tomorrow morning and ask them to meet up. I want to tell them together.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Do you want me to be there?”

  I sat next to her. “Is there a reason you should be?”

  She sighed. “Logan’s probably going to want someone to talk to when you break the news to him. He’s my friend, too, you know. And Jordan and his family are still at their cabin up north, so I really have nothing better to do. But mostly, I care about Logan.”

  I ran my hand across Parrot’s fur, who was purring softly next to me on the bed. “I guess that’s fair. I hate hurting him like this, but I don’t have any other choice.”

  Alaina scratched Parrot behind the ears. “I’m not blaming you or anything.”

  “I know.”

  “So, what do we do now?”

  I hopped up from the bed and headed to my closet. “I have some watercolors if you want to mess around with them.”

  She shrugged like she didn’t really care. “Sure. Why not?”

  I handed her my set of painting supplies and grabbed my new pencils for myself. Alaina spread herself out on the floor at the foot of my bed while I settled into the purple mushroom chair in the corner of my room. She painted a picture of Parrot while I sketched a portrait of Aaron. We talked about our upcoming senior year and the boys who would be a part of it until my parents came home.

  “Want to stay for dinner?” I asked Alaina.

  “No, it’s okay. My parents probably want me home for supper. I’ll see you tomorrow, though.”

  “Bye.” I waved as she exited my room. One last glance at my sketch of Aaron, and my heart melted. I took note of how amazing it was to be able to bring two things I loved together: drawing and Aaron.

  After Alaina left, I found my way into the kitchen with my parents. They’d brought us Italian takeout.

  “Alaina’s not staying for dinner?” my mom asked as she spread the various containers around the table.

  “No.”

  “So, what did you two do all day?” my dad teased when he entered the kitchen. He leaned against the counter confidently, but he looked ridiculous with his collar popped up in the back. My bet was that he hadn’t noticed since removing his tie.

  I shrugged. “We painted some pictures for the coven of witches downtown. They needed some more accurate representations of the demons they worship, and we thought we’d lend our services.”

  My father rolled his eyes. “I’m sure.”

  I turned from him to keep from laughing and slid into a seat at the table. “Seriously, we just talked and went out for lunch.”

  “Oh?” my dad asked curiously, following me to the table. “What’d you have?”

  “Chicken?” I said it like it was a question. Then I turned to my mother. “By the way, I’m planning lunch with Logan and Aaron again. Is that okay?”

  She sighed before pulling her chair out from the table and sitting down. “Maddie, you can’t keep leading them both on like that.”

  “Mom, I know. That’s why I want to meet with them.”

  She eyed me like she didn’t quite believe me. “Okay. Can we say grace?”

  ***

  I contemplated texting Logan and Aaron after dinner, but I wanted to give myself time to sleep on it to make sure Aaron was the right choice. Every time I thought about reaching for the phone, my fingers quivered. That didn’t help with finishing my sketch of Aaron’s perfect features. I fell asleep that night surer than ever that Aaron was the guy I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

  ***

  The next morning, I woke after my parents left for work, which was no surprise. I felt no guilt out of milking every moment of sleep I could until school started back up again. I hopped out of bed, feeling even better about my decision this morning than I had after walking out of Chloe’s shop yesterday. I poured myself a bowl of cereal and fed Parrot, who was only loving me up to get food. At the table, I texted Aaron and Logan.

  Made a decision. Can we meet for lunch?

  Logan texted back immediately, and Aaron got back to me a few minutes later. I returned upstairs to get ready for the day. I didn’t usually struggle with what to wear, but today, I couldn’t seem to decide. I settled on a pair of khaki shorts and a cute purple top after digging through my dresser drawers and closet twice. The doorbell rang just as I finished applying my makeup. I quickly brushed out my hair and then raced downstairs to meet Alaina.

  “Hey,” she greeted as she entered the house. “Still feeling good about choosing Aaron?”

  “I am,” I answered confidently.

  She took a seat on the couch, and I settled in across from her. We flipped the TV on, but it didn’t seem that long before lunchtime arrived. We reached the café a little early, so neither Logan nor Aaron were there. I slid next to Alaina in the booth she’d picked out.

  “Ooh.” She grabbed for the menu. “Isn’t the special today half off pancakes?”

  “Hello, ladies. Can I start you off with something to drink?” a waitress named Laura asked.

  “I’m fine with water, thanks,” I answered.

  Alaina gazed up from the menu. “Water is fine with me, too.” She looked over at me as soon as Laura left. “You might want to hide that.” She pointed to my chest.

  I stared down at the angel wing necklace. “Why?”

  “Because they’ll know right away. Don’t you want to wait for both of them to get here?”

  “Good idea.” I reached up and unclasped the necklace. Not even a moment after I slipped it in my pocket, Aaron entered the café.

  He noticed us instantly, and my cheeks flamed at the sight of him. “Hi,” he greeted as soon as he was close enough. It was difficult to read his tone.

  Laura returned with our waters. “Can I get you anything?” she asked Aaron.

  He
looked between our drinks. “Sure. Water is fine.”

  Logan arrived as soon as our waitress set Aaron’s drink in front of him.

  “Is this everyone?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” I answered.

  “Can I get you anything to drink?” Laura turned to Logan.

  I expected him to order a soda like normal, but he didn’t want anything. Smart, I thought. He’s planning an easy escape. At least Alaina had come along to comfort him. He’d need it, but at the same time, I didn’t regret choosing Aaron.

  “Do you need another few minutes with the menu?” Laura asked.

  “Yes, please,” I told her.

  As soon as she left, Aaron spoke. “So, Maddie, who’s it going to be?”

  “Can’t we, uh, eat first?” I looked between the guys but couldn’t tell what they were thinking. It’s like neither of them knew how to act until I told them who I chose.

  “No,” Logan said. “I agree with Aaron. I want to know.”

  I shot Alaina a nervous glance. I could do this. There was no point in dragging it out. “Okay.” I cleared my throat. “I choose Aaron.”

  A grin spread across Aaron’s face, displaying his dimple, the same moment Logan’s expression fell. At the same time, the tension in my shoulders eased. That was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

  “Logan, I’m sorry. We can still be friends.” As soon as I said it, I realized that was all we’d ever be now. Friends. And the thing was, I was completely okay with that.

  He lifted his gaze to meet mine. “Hey, Maddie. Don’t apologize. Whatever makes you happy.” I knew he only said it because he cared about me, but his expression told me his heart was breaking. Tears glistened in his eyes, but they were almost unnoticeable.

  “Logan,” I said. “I mean it. We can still be friends.”

  “Yeah, Logan.” Aaron spoke in a friendly tone. “You’ll find someone else. I’m sure of it. You’re a great guy.”