Since It’s Already Like This Chapter 02

Since It’s Already Like This Chapter 02

The most recent message was from that rainy day when I’d asked him for a ride.

He’d said, “I’m already home. Call an Uber yourself.”

But the next second, Mira posted a photo to her Instagram story.

An umbrella angled over her as she slid into the passenger seat.

The caption read:

“Almost got stuck in the rain. Good thing someone came to pick me up.”

I recognized the car’s interior at a glance.

I used to think that if my boyfriend and my best friend got along, I should be happy.

But I kept making concessions, and all I got in return was him pushing the line further and further.

This time, I didn’t reply.

While I was in my room packing, Lowell sent another message.

“Why aren’t you back yet? Mira’s in the mood for French, so I’m taking her now.”

“Meet us there.”

It wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

We’d have plans, just the two of us.

But if I was even a little late because of work or traffic, all that would be waiting for me was a cold plate.

Lowell was always dismissive of my feelings.

“Mira has a sensitive stomach; she had to eat. The food’s just cold, it’s not like it tastes different. Stop making such a big deal out of everything.”

*Stop making such a big deal out of everything.*

When a pipe burst in my apartment and water flooded the place, I called him.

He said the same thing then.

“I don’t have time to deal with that. Call a plumber yourself. Stop being so dramatic.”

After that, I learned to do things myself. I washed the water-logged curtains, changed the lightbulbs, and slowly, I stopped counting on him.

But with Mira, he was different.

“You don’t have to handle everything on your own,” he’d told her. “If anything happens, I’ll take care of it. You live near Indigo anyway, so it’s convenient.”

I could never understand it.

Why was it that when I needed help, it was always a problem?

But when Mira needed help, it was just… convenient?

I swallowed the ache in my chest and replied to Lowell.

“You two go ahead. I have something to do.”

It was a long time before he answered.

“Are you mad again? Indigo, you’re not a child.”