The Hate Between Us

hl

n't let go of the fact that my tummy still quivers when I make eye contact with him. I have to try a

t cling to the beach are strong, giving me the urge to

h this wedding for two things: the groom is his best friend and he is to be his b

combing out the tangled hair. I pack it up in a tight bun. Looking at the mirror, I apply a light lip gloss. My mom always

y face. No matter how many times Tristen has tried to frustrate my life, I try to stay bold. My life in New York is the backbone of

h Tristen's chair in the middle. I was scared with the thought of making suggestions in front of a lot of people, b

and take my seat at the extreme, wanting to be lost in this group. I wish I had surveyed the

room, but that will be termed as the most awkward thing I've done in my life that includes drooling in class

hoing, reassuring voice. "Why a

to Tristen right now, so I busy

t have to decide, I do. And my decision is that you sit close

the street. I bite my lower lips and slowly move out from the chair. I tu

shakes his hea

the face. First, he's my boss; second, he'll probably

m trading the air with him. I can't br

to be somewhere

o him, I remember all that I did when I was younger. I remember when I broke a plate at his

r my hear

et

eart dances for joy. My

doesn't smile and her hands a

ning, Mrs

smile. "Good mor

own opposite me and I feel her cold stares. Sudde

the members of the planning committee. As expected, t

rt." Tristen's

for Trisha who's slouc

specially me who's close to him. Mrs. Fable doesn't seem to be shaken at

s raised, so I sit in, waiting for someone to bring

ile at the pit of my stomach. I have something to say, but I'm not sure my

voice lost between my voc

crossed between his large chest, his eyes are pre

, I pull a tight smile and face the pair of fourteen eyes fixed at me. I

es are

nk we should use Mexican cul

xican, so I think we should impose the use of Mexican food like

"We get the p

confidence isn't really crestfallen, but embarr

tinue?" I ask

once.

nd I have decided that we should go with a flower that trends more in Mexico th

ate Cosmos. There's a florist who deals with different v

ed against Tristen, so I don't note his reaction. I hope he's happy a

mment and I feel happy that

but I'll want us to use Mexican colors on th

so I turn to Tristen. "T

ting that I surprised him, proving to him that I'm better than wh

hroat. "Ashley, that

ks burn

one better. Mateo, as you know, is not Mexican, so we don't want this to be a one-sided thing. Yes, I

I've gathered from the board's acceptance

ning and her ability to craft out a beautiful idea for this wedding should be appreciated. That's her

Trisha. All other members of the board just wa

tter than what she brought to the table. Be

om standing up and bursting out of the room, because that will

h fury. Tristen raises his head up above, satisfied by the outco

other person's esteem into two. The board doesn't reply. Everyb

to be shared, we'll have this meeti

on't care if my heels break now. I just need to ge

op me from going, but Tris

speed. I don't want to talk t

t, Ashley."

little more time. "What? Your br

e, jus

e her to the bathroom. I check around if someone is

sorry,

keep apologizing on your brother's

. "You know you're my best friend.

silky black hair. "But why is you

He's a perfectionist and always wants his things to be done in the right way. I'm so sor

's not enough reason f

ke this deep, he has nothing agai

d wipe my red rimmed eyes. "Oka

my Ashley. Be stro

fall asleep. I don't even notice when she leaves, be