Just You

Today is Jensen’s wedding and my last day in LA. I was moving back to Texas because I couldn’t stand living in California anymore. It just wasn’t working out. So everything I owned was in boxes, again. I felt like a gypsy or something, constantly moving around the country, not having a real home. I knew it wasn’t true, but I couldn’t help feeling pessimistic.

“Anjilika, honey? It’s time to go.” I looked at my mother and nodded. I was dressed in a very pretty dress, wearing very pretty flats, with my hair in very pretty curls, and the makeup on my face was very simple yet very pretty. I tugged at my dress and picked up a purse while my mother tutted at me.

“What Mom?” I snapped, looking at her with angry eyes.

“He should be marrying you.” She said for the umpteenth time today.

“Yeah? Well he’s not. So get over it. I have to.” I growled and pushed past her to walk in to the living room. My two older brothers, Tom and Chris, stood there in their matching suits. The family resemblance was incredible between the three Greene children. My brothers were of course taller, but we had the same soft, round face and eyes. All three of us were slim and tall, and their hair was darker than mine, but it was weird to see the three of us together, as my mother says. I think she says that because we look like our father.

My father wasn’t going to be in attendance today. He wasn’t a great friend of the Ackles’, having cheated on my mother. The whole reason we knew Jensen’s family is because of my mother, so he wasn’t a very popular guy. But then, I wasn’t very popular either.

Jensen hasn’t really talked to me since the day we went to the Hills. That was a couple of months ago. How have I dealt with losing my best friend? Pretty well, considering I’ve known him all my life. I still find myself picking up the phone to call him…but Mikayla has been a big help. She’s been incredibly supportive considering her fiancé is Jensen’s best friend. Yes, Jared and Mikayla are engaged. It happened about a month ago. It seems like everybody’s getting married except me.

“Jel!” I jumped as Tom’s voice boomed. “You zoned out. Again.” He added the last as an afterthought.

“Sorry.” I sighed. I didn’t have an explanation for why I was so out of it so I didn’t offer one.

“You still love him, don’t you?” Damn it Chris, why are you so smart?

“Of course not. I didn’t love him to begin with.” He gave me a look that said he didn’t believe me, plain and simple.

“Well if we don’t go now, we’re going to be late.” Tom said, sighing. Chris was the empathetic one, while Tom seemed to be the more logical-minded and didn’t like talking about feelings. He was too manly.

“Let’s go then.” I said, motioning toward the door of my apartment. My family was staying in a hotel nearby but didn’t trust me to be able to drive by myself. Or as my mother said, “It’d be nice to go together,” and what my mother says, goes. I was surprised I got away with mouthing off to her earlier. She must feel sorry for me.

Good. I feel sorry for myself.



I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as I watched Jensen and Danneel share their first kiss as a married couple. Cheers erupted from around me and I brought my hands together for a few claps. As they made their exit, Jensen didn’t give me one glance. Tears welled in my eyes as I realized, this is the end of so many things in my life.

As people began to rise from their seats, I looked to my mother. I opened my mouth and had to clear my throat twice before I could speak.

“I can’t be here. I don’t belong anymore. Give them my best if they ask about me, but I expect they won’t.” My mother, who would have normally protested because of proper decorum, surprised me by nodding.

“You take care of yourself, sweetie. If he asks, I’ll tell him you need to do some last minute packing.”

“Thanks Mom.” I joined the throng of people walking through the church’s doors. I caught sight of Mikayla and Jared talking to my ex-best friend and his wife. Jensen looked in my direction and then quickly looked away. I looked down, letting my curls hide my face and began walking to the car. I heard hurried footsteps and looked to my side to see Chris walking with me.

“What?” The word came out harsher than I wanted to.

“I’m going to drive you home and then come pick up Mom and Tom.” He said, shrugging off my tone.

“Oh.”

“Do you want to talk?” He asked as we came to my car. I gave him the keys from my purse because I didn’t feel like driving just then. Driving while fighting off tears didn’t seem like a good idea.

“Not really.” He nodded and we got in the car. We got about halfway through the drive with just enough conversation to direct him to my apartment.

“You know, I’m glad you’re moving back to Texas.” He told me.

“You are?” My brothers and I have never been really close, so this was a surprise.

“You owe it to yourself to start fresh. Start over. Find a guy, get married, have babies, or not. Whatever you want to do, you can do. I have faith in you Anjilika.” The tears started flowing and I wiped at them hurriedly.

“Thanks Chris.” And I decided then and there, I would get over Jensen. I would get better and not for anyone but myself.

I would survive this and be stronger for it.