Joel stood watching out the basement window as the rain hit the sidewalk. A single tear streaked his cheek, he wiped it away when he heard footsteps on the stairs. Joel turned and saw Paul coming down the stairs.
"Hey Joel."
"Hi..." Joel barely whispered, still watching out the window.
Paul sat on the couch. "Joel, she's not coming back."
Joel sighed, "I know that Paul." He turned and hung his head. "She won't ever come back. And it's all my fault..."
"No it's not."
Joel sat in one of the chairs and held his head in his hands. "Yes it is. If I hadn't lied, she wouldn't have left and she'd still be alive."
"You didn't really lie to her." Benji said, coming down the stairs. "You told Tate that you were with Chelsea, and you were. You said that she kissed you, and she did--"
"But I kissed her back, then I had sex with her." Joel said, disbelief in his voice. "I don't know why I did. I like Chelsea, but I loved Tate. I still love Tate."
"Yet you fucked Chelsea." Catherine said coldly. She stood at the top of the stairs with her arms crossed. "How could you Joel?"
"I don't know." He walked quickly up the stairs and walked outside. He stood in the rain looking at the street remembering the last time he saw Tatum.
~Tatum stood looking at Joel, crying. "You had sex with Chelsea? My best friend?"
"No. Well, yes. But I didn't know what I was doing."
"I love you Joel, I really do, but I can't..."
"You can't what?"
Tatum wiped her cheeks. "I can't be with you if you're going to lie to me."
"I'm not lying. I told you that I didn't know what I was doing." Joel put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "I love you Tate, and only you."
Tatum looked away from him. "How can you say that?"
"Because it's true!" He shouted.
"I'm leaving." She pulled away from him and grabbed her keys off the counter. "I can't be here with you shouting. Goodbye Joel."
"Fine. Leave. I don't care anymore." Joel said, fighting hot tears of anger and pain.
She screen door swung shut as Tatum walked down the walk way to her car. Joels words cut her deep. All she wanted to do was run back and tell him she forgave him. She couldn't bring herself to do it. If she had, she would still be alive.~
"I'm sorry Tate." He whispered to no one. He shook his head and began walking. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew he had to get away.
