“I realized after overhearing them calling me an Oreo that I would never be like them. It was hard for me at seventeen but I realized that if I couldn’t fit in, then I may as well stand out.” I smiled softly as I remembered, “I started wearing a lot of Ankara to school; I stopped straightening my hair and would either wear braids or leave it in an afro.”
“My ‘friends’ hated my new change and gave me an ultimatum. They said it was either I stopped what I was doing or I stopped being friends with them. It was the best decision I ever made.”
“I started using my free time to learn sewing. When I got to college, I majored in fashion design and started hosting little shows for people. It all brought me to where I am now.”
“Did those friends ever try to contact you?” he asked and this time I actually chuckled.
“They did, but my friend Olivia was quick to get rid of them.”
“What would you tell young Adira right now?”
“I would tell her to get off her ass and stop being a fucking people pleaser. I would tell her that she is that bitch and she shouldn’t be ashamed of who she is.”
I saw him note something down and then he reached over and turned off the laptop. While he was doing that, I packed up my stuff and finally risked a glance at my phone that had been on silent all day.
There were numerous calls and texts from my parents and Olivia. I’m assuming they saw the video of me being flour bombed and were calling to make sure I was okay and not on the verge of committing a federal crime.
“Off camera,” Nathan spoke up, “How do you feel?”
I shrugged, “I’m okay; it’s all in a day’s work.”
“You don’t have to lie. You’re not going to hear it anywhere else. I swear it.”
“What do you want me to say Nathan?” I asked, “Do you want me to say that I’m pissed? Yes I am. Do you want me to say that I was humiliated and embarrassed? Yes I am. But do you know what? I expected it. I am the other woman. I am the one ruining their life. I am the unwanted bitch who is butting into their perfect view of happily ever after. At least, that is what the media sees.”
“They will attack me whenever and however they feel like. They don’t care that he is the one who allegedly cheated, and they don’t care that it is a bloody lie. They just want to look for someone to blame. And I’m that person for them. So yes, I’m pissed but I also know that I cannot say shit about it because no one will believe me. He has to prove the rumors false and until he does that, I am the public’s punching bag. It sucks but there’s jack shit that I can do about it.”
He stared at me with intense eyes and for once I found myself wishing that I could read them and figure out what he is thinking. He probably thinks I’m lying to defend myself. For all I know, he probably thinks that Joseph cheated with me; he probably also thinks that I’m a home wrecking whore.
The honest truth is that at this point, I don’t even care anymore. He can think whatever he wants about me. What is one more to the millions who already hate me?
“I don’t believe that you did it.” He said as if reading my mind, “You carry yourself like someone with standards. I would have been more surprised if I found out that it was true.”
I know I said I didn’t care, but hearing those words from him actually filled me with a sense of pride and gratitude. I will never admit it to him, but it feels good to know that someone actually believes in me and doesn’t think that I am a stinky slut.
“Thank you.” I said finally.
“If you ever need to talk about it, let me know. I know a thing or two about being hated by the media.”
“Careful,” I teased, “or I’ll think you actually enjoy my presence.”
This time, he actually smiled. Not a sarcastic smile or a rude smile, and not a half grin or a little quirk of the lips. It was a full smile, albeit there was no teeth showing, but it was a stark difference to the scowl that was always on his face.
“I would hate for you to think I actually liked you.” He said as he packed up his things, “Have a good night Adira.”
I couldn’t stop my own smile as I responded, “You too.”
CHAPTER 8: EIGHTEEN DAYS POST BREAK UP
I didn’t return anyone’s calls. I thought they would leave me alone and take the hint that I really didn’t want to be disturbed, but I was surprised when Olivia stormed into my room with a duffel bag over her shoulder. Looking back, I don’t know why I expected her not to do something dramatic. It has never been in Olivia’s nature to give me ‘space’.
Then again, my idea of space never really applies to her anyway.
She proceeded to berate me for calling her and telling her that I was okay when she knew I am anything but. She was furious about the flour bombing incident and ranted for a good five minutes about how if those girls were adults she would have loved to visit them and teach them a lesson. Then she told me my parents were worried as well but they were giving me space to call them when I was ready.
I asked why she wouldn’t do that and she said, “As your best friend, it is my job to make you talk about things before you’re ready. If I don’t force it out of you, no one will.”
She told me she would be staying in my house until further notice because I was not to be trusted with taking care of myself. I agreed on the condition that she showed me the video and although she was unwilling at first, she showed me. I was shocked to see that it had gathered almost a million views in less than twenty four hours.
