Ghosted

It's almost Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday of the year, but this year I have nothing to be thankful for…

Sarah is hosting a dinner party the weekend before as she has done for years.

I take a sip of my hot peppermint tea. I'm not in the mood for drinks tonight.

There are familiar faces in the crowd, talking and dancing, while I'm standing alone in the corner.

"Ava, I'm so glad you're here!" says Sarah.

"Yup, just like last year."

"And the year before that!" Sarah smiles and laughs in her glitter covered dress.

A wave of guilt comes over me.

My best friend doesn't know I've betrayed her.

"I think you'll meet a tall, handsome guy tonight!"

Sarah pretends to swing a magic wand over my head.

I do my best to crack a smile.

"Don't you think?"

"If not tonight, I will meet him another time," I say quietly.

"I'm sure you will. You are just too picky," says Sarah and squints and scans the room.

"I have to find Trevor. I know he's here somewhere."

Hearing his name makes me feel paralyzed.

I can't tell Sarah I'm in love with Trevor.

Trevor is best friends with Sarah's brother, Ben, and the lead singer of Ben's band.

Sarah is convinced they are meant to be together.

"Trevor is so mysterious."

"Is he? I hadn't noticed."

"It's because you don't know him like I do. He's too shy to admit he likes me."

"Yeah, maybe that's it."

My phone buzzes in my purse.

I ignore it. I already know who it is.

Can Sarah say that I'm hiding something from her?

She doesn't seem suspicious…

What am I even doing here?

Maybe I don't need a boyfriend to be happy.

I don't need Trevor.

I hide behind the dancing crowd.

Sarah is dancing in another room.

I can see she's with Justin.

I thought she didn't like Justin.

Suddenly Trevor is right in front of me.

I'm so startled I spill my drink on the floor.

"We need to talk," says Trevor.

"Why?"

I can recognize Trevor miles away just by his smile.

"Come on, why are you ghosting me?"

I can hardly hear him because of the loud music.

"I'm not ghosting you," I

"You aren't responding to my calls or texts,"

"I have my reasons," I say, and I don't know whether to cry or laugh.

"I'm ghosting you. You're ghosting Sarah. And Sarah is ghosting Justin. It's an endless circle,"

I can hardly look at Trevor.

"We have to get out of here," Trevor tries to take my hand.

"Don't hold my hand. Sarah will see."

"Just meet me by the big tree in the backyard," I say quickly.

Trevor sighs and reluctantly walks away.

I don't know what to do. I need to avoid Sarah.

I look out the window. Trevor is waiting.

He is standing there in his black T-shirt, freezing.

I take a deep breath and make my way outside.

"Trevor?"

"Hey. Tell me what's going on."

"I'm so sorry if you think I'm ghosting you. I don't mean to."

"But why aren't you texting me back?"

"It's difficult for me. I like hanging out with you. I love helping you with your lyrics."

"I can't do it without you. The guys from the band really dig our new songs."

Trevor smiles at me.

I feel butterflies and guilt simultaneously.

I don't know what to say.

"I hope you stick around to hear us play."

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea."

"Why?"

"You know why."

"No, I really don't, Ava. Please fill me in."

I start shivering from the cold, exhaling deeply.

"Okay, Sarah thinks you guys are meant to be together."

"We aren't. Sarah is making that up!"

"Why would she make it up?"

"She's your best friend. Go and ask her."

"Come on, Trevor."

"Sarah is great! But she's not my type. You are."

"I pretend I don't hear the last sentence. It hurts too much."

"Trevor, I can't betray Sarah. She's my best friend."

"So, you keep telling me, Ava."

"I'm worried she'll find out."

"How are you betraying Sarah?"

"By falling in love with you!"

"Don't say that," Trevor inches closer and puts his arms around me.

I could stay in his arms forever.

Trevor gently kisses me.

My heart begins to beat faster.

His warmth makes me forget the cold weather.

I can't believe what is happening.

"Ava, what do you think you're doing?"

I snap back to reality.

"Sarah! It's not what you think!"

"Oh yeah?! Do you really believe that?" Sarah runs back toward the house.

"Sarah! Come back!"

"No! You're a backstabber. Leave me alone!"

It's hopeless. I push Trevor away and race after Sarah.

I sprint up the stairs to her bedroom.

Her door is locked.

"Sarah, please open the door."

"I don't want to talk to you or see you ever again. Leave my party now, both of you!"

I can hear Sarah's voice quiver with sadness.

"Look, Sarah. I'm sorry we hurt you. I want to make it up to you.

Sarah unlocks the door, opening it slightly. She peers out at me, mascara running down her cheeks.

"Really?"

"I will stop seeing Trevor."

Sarah: What? I know you, Ava. You can't keep that promise."

"Your friendship is more important. I can, and I will."

"No, you can't," Ben is suddenly standing next to me.

Behind him, I see Trevor's face.

Trevor is just a boy in love with a girl. I can't hide how happy I am. That girl is me.

"You can't let my sister keep you from dating Trevor."

"She also knows this. Don't you, sis?"

Sarah walks over to her bed and lays down. She puts her hands over her face.

"Leave me alone, Ben. You're not helping."

Ben closes the door to Sarah's bedroom.

"Sarah will be okay."

"Are you sure? Should I go in there?" I ask.

"I know she will. And no, all she needs is time," says Ben.

"Ava, you know her."

"She likes Trevor because she can't have him."

"No offense, bro."

He pats Trevor on the shoulder.

Trevor sighs and shakes his head, smiling.

"She's been having a blast tonight with Justin," says Ben.

"She said she was trying not to lead him on," I say.

"Yeah, well, she's been talking about him nonstop for weeks," says Ben.

"Really?!" I am surprised.

"Yes! She thinks he's a great dancer. And he makes her laugh like no one else can, and isn't that what it's all about?" says Ben.

We walk downstairs back to the party.

Trevor and Ben begin setting up for their band's performance.

I stand off to the side once again.

The band begins playing. Everyone starts dancing.

The song they're playing is one I helped Trevor write.

I look up at Trevor, he quickly winks at me.

I notice Sarah slowly coming back downstairs.

I should have been honest with Sarah from the beginning.

She's doesn't deserve to be lied to.

Even if she still felt betrayed, I would've been truthful.

I make eye contact with Ben.

He nods his head to the left, where I see Sarah.

She is dancing with Justin.

It looks like she is having the time of her life.

No more tears, only smiles, and laughs.

I think I'll take Ben's advice and give her time.

But I know we can repair our friendship.

For the curious reader: I did stay around to hear the band play, and maybe It's going to be a magical Thanksgiving after all.

This story was originally published on Medium