Yours Truly 2016 / Cascadia College / Bothell, WA | Page 81

“I don’t think it’s supposed to be this hard,” she finally said. “Why is it like this all the time?” Why can’t you change? “I say the truth—you know that about me. After all these years, you expect me to hold back just to spare your feelings? Grow up.” And there it was. Now, Nora knew she would never get what she wanted from Aron. Ever. “But you were wrong.” “Yes. I didn’t know that at the time, though. You should be more understanding of that. What I said before doesn’t really matter now.” Of course it does. “Let’s just forget about it and start over,” Aron said. “I can’t,” Nora said for the second time. Aron stared in wide­ -eyed surprise at Nora. For a moment, there was only silence. Nora couldn’t make out what Aron was thinking. Finally, Aron said, “Okay.” She took out her keys, ready to leave, but Nora stopped her. “I just want to know—why did you believe that I would betray you so easily?” she asked. Aron looked Nora up and down. Nora wasn’t sure what to make of her scrutinizing gaze. “You’re jealous,” Aron stated. Nora let out an exasperated breath. “I’m not jealous.” “Yes, you are. I can see it when I’m with him.” “Why is it like this all the time?” Nora thought about Aron’s boyfriend, about how he made Aron become a completely different person, a weaker person, when she was around him. “That’s not jealousy,” Nora said. Aron laughed overzealously. “Sure it isn’t.” Nora nodded sadly. Now she understood that it was never really about the boy—it was all just a projection. Aron had her own problems, but Nora was tired of being her punching bag. She stood. “You’re just a deeply insecure person, and you cover it up with bullshit. That’s why you let him treat you that way.” Aron stared, stunned. She stood abruptly, pushing her chair out behind her, but could not form her words. Nora didn’t wait for her to speak. She took the hand mirror and turned away, walking out of the shop. Outside, she contemplated sticking the mirror under the tire of her car and running it over, shattering the glass into little pieces. She couldn’t bring herself to do that. Instead, she sped out of the parking lot as quickly as possible and headed for the beach. *** Seagulls flew above the grey waves, squawking in the air. Nora sat on a log and stared out at the ocean, watching the seabirds and the white sailboats glide over the water. She held the mirror in her hands, staring at her reflection. Was she really too 79