"Brian?" I tried to regain my composure.
"That's me." He laughed on the other end. I took a seat on a little chair near the door.
"Uh...how did you...how--"
"AJ gave me the number."
"AJ?" My words almost got caught in my throat. "Why did he give it to you?"
"Because I need to talk to you." Brian informed me.
"Wha--what for?" I stuttered.
"Well, how do I start?" He asked himself. "Oh, yeah. Why in the hell did you do what you did?" He raised his voice. I couldn't answer.
"I don't know." I almost whispered.
"You don't know." He said. "Carlon, you are..." Brian tried to calm down. "You're engaged."
"No, I'm not, Brian." Brian didn't reply. "Did AJ not tell you?"
"AJ told me everything, Carlon. He told me everything that you said, and everything that Seth said."
"How is he?" I changed the subject.
"How is he?" Brian restated. "Carlon, he falls in love with you the day he meets you; You spend three straight years with him; He proposes; You say yes; You make love; Then you leave. How in the hell do you think he feels? He's just great, Carlon." Brian yelled. A tear dropped off of my cheek.
"Brian...please understand."
"Understand what, Carlon?" Brian asked.
"Just believe that I'm doing the right thing."
"I hate to break it to you, Carlon, but leaving like this isn't the right thing."
"Brian..." I couldn't think of anything to say. "I love you." Brian sighed.
"I love you too, Carly."
"Brian," I said again. "I need you." I cried.
"Why'd you do it?" He sincerely asked me.
"Because...it's my turn to be happy, Brian." I said with confidence.
"But, you were happy."
"I was happy with my friends, and with my family, and...I was very happy with AJ, but...I want to be happy doing what I want to do."
"Which is acting, right?"
"Yes."
"Carlon, don't you know that AJ would have completely understood if you just explained everything to him?"
"No, he wouldn't have, Brian."
"Yes, I would have." AJ jumped in. My heart stopped when I heard his voice.
"Brian..."
"I'm sorry, Carlon." Brian apologized.
"How could you do this to me? Both of you?" I said, more tears falling from my face.
"Carlon, it's my fault." AJ said. "I just wanted to hear your voice. I wanted a reason. I wanted to know what I'd done wrong." AJ rambled on.
"AJ, you didn't do anything. You were right. My life is too fucked up."
"Carlon, I didn't mean that."
"But you said it, AJ." I stopped him.
"Baby, please, listen to me--"
"No, AJ. You listen to me." I regretted saying that. I really didn't have anything to say. I heard Brian's line hang up. It was just me and AJ. "I...I--"
"I love you." AJ cut me off. I couldn't say anything back. I knew I loved him, but I couldn't admit it. I knew that he was right. Every word he said was right. "Why won't you say it, Carlon?" AJ sounded like he was getting aggrivated with me. "Carlon, what did I do to you? Why are pulling away from me?"
"It's not you!" I said. "I'm just scared, baby." I cried.
"Sweetheart, there's no reason to be scared."
"AJ, I had this...this life. It was so perfect, and then one day everything blows up. It's all over. So, instead of facing it all I up and leave town. I never go back unless I have someone there to protect me. I ignore it all for three years. I got the shaft, AJ. I was so happy and then what made me happy was gone. I don't ever want you to be unhappy. I can't make you happy forever."
"Carlon...look, I understand that you need time to get over this-"
"Time?" I interupted. "AJ, more like forever. I can't just get over this. Look, we're not meant to be together."
"Carlon, this is going to sound rude and...conceited, but...me and Brian...and the rest of the gang...baby, we're all you have. Once you've turned away from us, you're going to be alone. I mean, we'll always be here for you, sweetie, but it's up to you to let us help."
"Thanks, AJ, but I have to go." I reached for the off button on the phone.
"I take it we are broken up." AJ assumed. Just then, Freddie walked into the room. "Are we?" He asked again.
"So, I'll call you later." I said in a cheery tone, trying to hide all my pain from Freddie.
"Carly, angel, don't do this." AJ begged.
"Okay, I'll talk to you then." I said again smiling at Freddie.
"Carly, please. At least say you love me." AJ said. I couldn't speak.
"Bye." I quickly hung up the phone.
"Your boyfriend?" Freddie asked motioning to the phone. I looked down.
"Just a friend." I told him.
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