Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

blinked back the tears, feeling completely stupid as he walked away. I couldn’t believe he didn’t want to talk and just ditched me. Why did I call out to him? Sam, not sure how to react, tugged at my arm.
    “Let’s go, the movie is about to start.”
    My body went into autopilot and I followed her inside, unable to pay attention to where we were going. Before I knew it, she’d found us seats and I sat down, thankful for the darkness.
    The movie started and so did my tears.
    What was I doing insisting he notice me? I’m so stupid .
    As the movie progressed, I did my best to try to follow along, but couldn’t concentrate. The movie I watched was the one in my head of what just happened, not the silver screen. I slumped back into my chair and stifled my sniffles. Everyone was enjoying the movie and their laughter echoed all around me, but I’d never felt so lonely in my life.
    Sam passed me a tissue.
    I’m so pathetic. I can’t even keep myself together.
    I tried hard to stop crying; not wanting to ruin everything Sam had done to help me have a good time, but I couldn’t. The damage was done.
    “This movie is lame, wanna go?” she whispered after a few minutes.
    Relief flooded me—I did want to leave. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could endure the torture of holding back my emotions.
    “Yeah,” I murmured.
    We pushed the double doors to exit and I felt thankful to leave the theater alone, without curious onlookers. I could image their confusion, because I’d looked like I’d just left a tragedy, instead of a comedy.
    “I’m so sorry, Jules,” Sam said as we walked to her car.
    “It’s fine. I’m fine. It’s just—” I choked back a sob.
    She put her arm on my shoulder and squeezed it, her care and concern soothed me.
    “I guess he’s not who I thought he was,” I finally said. “Maybe he is trouble.”
    I wanted to say jerk , but my mouth wouldn’t form the word. I cared about him still—too much actually. I was astonished at my willingness to be a glutton for punishment.
    “Trouble? No, he was plain rude,” she said, slamming her car door. “Honestly, he saves your life a few days ago, but now he doesn’t have a few minutes to say hello and meet your best friend? Whatever.”
    She started her car and backed out of the parking spot.
    I appreciated her desire to protect me and her interpretation of the situation helped me see that I wasn’t crazy. Nicholas was the one with the problems. But, I still wanted to know why he didn’t like me anymore?
    “Yeah, you’re right. I just don’t get what happened.”
    “Guys are weird. They get all spooked for the stupidest reasons.”
    “I guess so.” I gave a fake chuckle.
    Luckily, he only met Sam and not my whole group of friends. Now, that would have been utterly embarrassing and Katie never would have let me hear the end of it.
    I slumped back in my seat and watched the world move by in a blur as Sam drove. She’d found a man-hater song on the radio that seemed to match the mood. I could sense her worry, but I didn’t want to talk for fear I’d burst into tears again. It was a lousy way to finish our evening.
    “Sorry I ruined your movie,” I said as she pulled up to my house.
    “You didn’t. It’s understandable considering the circumstances.”
    “But still . . .”
    “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked, her eyes kind.
    “No. I think I just want to go to bed.”
    “You sure?”
    “I’ll be okay, honest.” I did my best to muster up a convincing smile. She studied my face for a minute then bought my charade.
    “Definitely call me tomorrow when you wake up, okay?”
    I got out and peered through the open door. “I will.”
    I gave another weak smile and shut the door.
    She waved one last time, with sympathy in her eyes, and then drove away. I watched until her car disappeared, took a deep breath and limped up the cobblestone path to the house. Disappointment flooded me when I opened the door to find it dark and empty.
    It was times like this I wished I had a mom to talk to. Even if Dad were home, he would never understand and it would be awkward to try to explain it to him. I thought of Jo and sighed. If any consolation was going to be given tonight, it would have to come from me.
    I walked upstairs and decided to forgo the whole “getting ready for bed” routine and just changed into my jammies. I had little energy to do anything beyond that. Aladdin jumped on my bed and wound her body into a circle