Page 86 of Jain

“I’ve left Julian,” I confessed, and her face broke into a bright smile.

“Tell me it’s for a certain hot English teacher.” She winked as I stared at her with disbelief.

I’d never told her or anyone else. Evan was my secret.

“How...how...” I stammered.

Sarah’s eyes crinkled in the corners before sheshrugged. “It was the way you looked at each other. I don’t know how you got away with it for so long, you dirty dog.”

I was speechless as I let out a gasp. “Youknew?”

Sarah smiled, sipping her wine as she gazed out of the window wistfully.

“I paid a lot of attention to you back then,” she whispered, her cheeks reddening.

I blinked, unsure if I was following what she was saying.

“You were my best friend. I was the same with you,” I said as she laughed lightly, her beautiful eyes saddening.

“No, darling. It wasn’t quite the same.”

Wow. My best friend had feelings for me.

How did I not know? The truth was I was too wrapped up in my own world to notice. I felt sick.

Sarah forced a smile.

“But that’s not what’s relevant right now. Are you happy yet?”

I stared at Sarah, the cogs in my brain moving slowly despite the copious fog of confusion that surrounded them.

Sarah never being overly interested in anyone.

Sarah always defended me, telling me what was right or wrong with my actions or words...

“Are you a lesbian?” I asked, still furious with myself for not ever noticing my own best friend going through so much herself. I felt well and truly shit.

She rolled her eyes before grabbing my hand.

“Yes, that I am. Woo!” Sarah cheered sarcastically, and I closed my eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I said, tears threatening to fall again. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you? I haven’t told anyone. I guess I’ve only just come out to you.” She grinned as my heart swelled with love for her.

“Shit, it must’ve been hard at school—”

“That’s gone. It’s in the past. We’ll sit and talk about my sexual preference at great length anytime you like, but for now, let’s just sort you out,” Sarah said with authority, sitting back in her chair to gaze at me.

I was stunned. It was never obvious, but then when was it?

It’s not like people wear signs around their neck declaring their sexual preferences.

“So, you’ve left Julian, and he’s a mess. Tell me you’re with Mr Silver.”

I lifted my eyes to hers, slowly nodding as we began to smile, the way best friends did when life went right for one of them.

“Ok, dry your damn tears. That man has been in love with you for years. You can’t change the fact you moved on, then uh...moved back...ha!” She chuckled at her joke, and I cringed slightly.