Chapter 49

Chapter 49

"Wow! This is amazing!" Bradyn Gushed as she tried the piece of cake I bought for her. I was glad she liked it as much as she did.

Twila agreed. "I'm not really a sweets person, but this is really good."

It warmed my heart that they both found some enjoyment in my masterpiece. These last few days I've been spending a lot of time with Jay. Then I'd usually be with Cyrus leaving any girl time out of the window. Tonight, I was glad to be with them again and glad that they enjoyed my little present. With such little time left, every minute we spent together was going to mean the world to me.

After they finished eating their pieces of cake, we walked into Twila's room just to chat about little things. More importantly, Twila was back with her shenanigans again. This time she had more ammo for her peculiar beliefs, but none of it was true. There was no chance things were as she said. Not only that, but now she has Bradyn backing her up.

"Just because he said that doesn't mean they're not there." She remarked.

I rolled my eyes at her insanity. "No, I'm not buying it." I refused to believe a word she was saying.

"Mm, you've been spending a lot of time with each other lately." Bradyn chimed in.

"Only because he's in a vulnerable state right now." I argued.

They were trying to convince me that Jay had feelings for me. More than just a friendly feeling. You'd think he would express it to me if he did. All the same, he wouldn't do that to Cyrus. He's made it perfectly clear that he didn't like me that way. We were just friends and nothing more. I know they wanted this forbidden lovers story, but it wasn't going to happen. Not on my end anyway.

Twy snickered, looking at me in disbelief. "I saw the way he looked at you day and that's not a coincidence."

The more she tried to debate me, the more I didn't listen to what she said. "Yeah, no. It's not what you're thinking."

"What's the big deal if it is? It's too hot guys pining over you and you can't tell me you don't have some kind of connection with Jay." Bradyn was not helping me here.

Still, it did make me think about what they were saying. We did have a lot to connect on, but we weren't by any means connecting romantically. He was more like a best friend than anything else. I couldn't even imagine having any sort of romantically involved feelings for Jay. My mind was so focused on Cyrus that my eyes couldn't picture anyone else in his place. The connection between Cyrus and I was something no one could break. Not even myself.

That didn't change the fact that I cared about Jay so much. If this were a different reality, and if I didn't know Cyrus, then Jay and I may stand a chance. Even if what Twila was saying was true, there was nothing that could be done about it. Jay wasn't going to back-stab his friend and I wasn't going to reciprocate his feelings. Which would only hurt him more. But none of it was true, so it didn't matter!

They weren't going to let it go though.

"Let's look at it in a what if perspective." Twila suggested. "If there's a chance he does feel that way, what's the problem?"

This was never going to end. "The problem is someone's going to get hurt whether it be me, Jay, or Cyrus." I said, hoping they'd understand that at least.

Bradyn shook her head. "What about a poly relationship? Those always work out great." Their ideas were ridiculous.

"We don't even know if they're into that." I continued to fight this.

"Question is, would you be?" Twila asked.

I thought for a moment, not sure how to answer. Polygamy wasn't something I thought about. It was a great thing for people who wanted more than one partner for sure. However, I'm not sure how I felt about it. Do I need more than one guy? This was all hypothetical, of course, but if I did feel a way for Jay, would that even be something they'd want to discuss? They are best friends and sharing a girl doesn't sound like something they'd be happy to do. Hearing the story about that other girl Cyrus was in love with, it didn't sound like he was happy about her liking Jay. Regardless, I would think they would have an open mind regarding things like this. If this were an actual decision, I would have needed to make.

Sighing, I wasn't sure how to answer it. In retrospect, that didn't sound like a bad idea. No one would be heart broken and everything between us would be the same. At least my relationships with them would be the same. Their relationship....that might change.

"If I had to choose, then polygamy doesn't sound bad." I answered honestly before snapping out of it. "It still doesn't change the fact that I don't see Jay that way!" I yelled.

They laughed as if they had caught me. "But you can't know for sure if you don't feel that way." Bradyn said, still sticking to Twila's side.

I furrowed my brows. "Why not? I think I know what I feel."

Twila shrugged. "Maybe, but you haven't spent as much time with Jay like you have with Cyrus."

She had a point that I didn't want to admit. Jay and I haven't had a lot of time together like Cyrus and I usually do. What would happen if Jay and I didn't spend that quality time together? Would I end up falling for him like I fell for Cyrus? Would he fall for me? There were so many questions I had but also didn't want to find out. It was too dangerous to think about as well. Although the thought was nice, there was too much at stake in the end.

Shaking my head, I didn't want to talk about it anymore. It was making me too anxious and it was draining. I was happy where I was at with both boys. Cyrus and I were doing our thing together and Jay and I were buidling a stable friendship. There was nothing more I needed right now. Everything was great.

"Let's change the topic please." I begged ready for this to be over. It was not fun talking or even thinking about such things.

They finally agreed, giving me some peace of mind for once tonight. Instead, we focused on what to do for the rest of the night before agreeing to watch some more movies. That was always a fun treat when hanging out with them. Especially since it felt like ages have gone by since we've done this. My time has been so preoccupied that it felt amazing to relax with some girls for a change.

Before we got started, I headed back down to the kitchen to grab a drink as always when I saw Sienna walking in as well. She had this glow about her that I haven't seen since being here. I was happy she was doing well and seemed to have found her true self. That was all anyone could have asked for. The argument was so intense that but probably needed by both girls in the end.

Smiling, we got to the kitchen as I grabbed a glass to pour myself some juice.

"It's great to see you glowing, Sienna." I say it in the most sincerest of ways.

She nodded in agreement. "Yes, I've felt like a weight has been lifted lately." Her voice was soft but giddy.

I nod as I put the juice back in the fridge. "That's amazing! It could only get better from here on out." I try to stay encouraging.

We giggle as I continue to look at her. This was a different person I was seeing. This wasn't the girl I saw crying on the staircase or the girl pouting by the fountain. She was growing from her decision and it was great to see. Whatever her heart was telling her, she followed it and it's going to continue to change her life for the better. Even though my friend was hurt, I knew just as well as Sienna that this was the right decision. Hopefully Twila sees that some day.

"I really have to thank you, Autumn." She stated. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in the process of bettering myself. It was a hard choice, but for once I didn't listen to the people around me. I listened to me. Without you I don't think that would have been possible so thank you."

I smiled at her words as they really touched my heart. It was not in Twila's best interest that I did that, however, the bigger picture was that they were both going to be better off for it. Sienna was already blossoming, and I knew in time Twila was going to be doing the same. It was a process and Sienna was moving on the right track. I'm sure she was going to find her happiness in no time. That was all that mattered.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" I said, opening the fridge again. I grabbed the tupperware before handing it to her. "I saved this piece for you just in case you would want to try it."

She looked at the cake, her eyes sparkling. "You made this?" She asked as she opened it up.

I nodded. "Yep! It's lemon flavored. I was trying to make a replica of the one at my job but trust me it's not as good." I was trying to be modest.

Sienna found the silverware before trying some. Just like the others, she groaned in enjoyment. It was a pretty good cake, but it wasn't anything like back at home. Of course they wouldn't know that, but I did.

"Are you kidding me right now? This is stellar!" She said as she took another bite. "You should open a bakery because this is just too perfect."

I laughed at her flattery. "That may or may not happen but I'm glad you enjoyed it." I say gearing up to head back upstairs. Before I did, I turned back around to face her. "Oh and you didn't have to thank me. We're friends and friends help friends."

Stunned, she smiled, agreeing with what I said. "Friends help friends."