322
"Don't do this," Courtney says. "Don't
put yourself down like that." In truth, Lauren's constant self-deprecation
is wearing on Courtney's nerves. She is trying not to let the agitation
show but is finding it more difficult than she imagined it might be.
"It's hard not to," Lauren says.
"I mean, how many chances did I have to make it work with Alex, and I still
wasn't able to? If I couldn't make that work, I doubt I'll ever--"
"Stop. Just cut it out, okay? We've
been over this already. You do not need to get all down on yourself because
of Alex. There's something else going on there."
"Sure." Lauren rolls her eyes and
then picks up her glass of Coke.
"I'm serious," Courtney says, attempting
to soften the edge that has popped into her voice. "My dad went to talk
to Alex the other day. I asked him to, just to see if maybe Alex would
open up or something. Or at least so he could make sure that Alex is okay."
Lauren is leaning on the table with
both elbows now. "Yeah?"
"Alex didn't tell him anything,"
Courtney adds quickly. "But my dad said that he thought he at least affected
Alex, so maybe if he wants to talk, he'll go to my dad."
"Well, good. I hope everything is
okay with him."
"So do I. But ... I am worried. He's
been so withdrawn lately. I know the whole thing between you and him was
probably hard for him, but still -- he knows that Jason and I are his friends
no matter what. He hasn't called me back or anything in a while."
Lauren has been holding her glass
with both hands. Now she sets it down on the table and begins twirling
the straw in her fingers. "Maybe he thinks that because things didn't work
out with us, he can't really be a part of the group anymore, you know?"
"Maybe. I hope he doesn't think that."
Courtney pauses and it is obvious to Lauren that her friend is about to
spring something important on her. "You're coming to Whitney's party, aren't
you?"
"Yeah ..."
"Alex is gonna be there, too." Court
watches for Lauren's response and is relieved to see that it isn't too
extreme. "I just hope we can all kind of get ourselves together and have
some fun."
"Yeah," Lauren agrees, still twirling
the straw. "Should be a blast."
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