Three

I woke up with a stiff neck with the sun as we had no curtains in this room.

I rolled it out before making the usual pancakes, but making them extra good as an apology.

About an hour later Jake came out, still glaring at me, clearly still pissed off.

"I'm sorry. I made you some pancakes."

He looked at the pancakes nodding. "I forgive you."

I sighed in relief, a weight being lifted off my shoulders.

"You should you shower, you look like a mess." He grumbled.

I frowned looking down at my appearance. He's not wrong, I look like a walking disaster, its disgusting.

"Sorry." I mumbled, heading towards my room to get ready for the day.

I'd have to meet Dylan at the carnival soon and I was really excited.

I LOVE  carnivals and it was a great way for me to get my mind off of this whole Jake situation.

All I could think about were Leah's words. Maybe she's right, but how would she know? she only saw us for about 30 seconds, she doesn't know how he used to treat me.

I slipped on a black fitted shirt that I tucked into my ripped jeans slipping my favorite belt on top. It was tori birch, I had saved up for it before I had to start supporting Jake, I bought it for myself for my birthday one year.

It was back when I still lived with my grandma before she passed away. That was about 3 and a half years ago.

When she died she left everything to me so I was able to support myself for a little before I managed to get this job at the mental hospital.

I had met Jake when he helped escort one of the more rowdy patients. He came right put o me and asked for my number. He said he couldn't help but notice me but didn't have time to stop and talk because he was still on duty.

I gave him my number and a couple months later we were official. He moved in with me after about 3 months because my apartment was much nicer than his. I thought it was a little soon but he convinced me so I adjusted.

I didn't have the highest paying job in the world but I was comfortable and that's all that mattered.

Once I was fresh and ready I realized it was almost time to leave. Dylan was picking me up any minute.

I left my room and sighed at the mess Jake at managed to make in such little time.

I cleaned it up, seeing that he was nowhere in sight again, probably went out with his friends again, he'd proabably come home drunk again.

I made him some food since he always came home hungry after a night of drinking.

Dylan texted me saying that he was here and I skipped out of the house to him.

"Ope!" He greeted cheerfully.

"Dill!" I exclaimed, leaping into his pick-up truck.

"You look tired."

"Thanks." I said sarcastically.

to which he winked.

"No, but seriously, are you sick?"

I shook my head, "I-uhpI slept on the couch last night..." I mumbled softly but he heard.

He sighed, hitting his wheel a little in frustration.

"You have got to stop letting him walk all over you! Why are you even still with him?!"

I looked away, ashamed, "You don't understand..."

"No! I don't" He sighed, rubbing his face, "I'm sorry Opey, I just care too much about you. I just want you to be happy."

I smiled lightly at him, "I know, I'm sorry."

He smiled brightly again, "READY FOR A CARNIVAL?!"

I squealed, jumping in my seat a little.

"I'm so excited!!"

When we arrived a huge smile was already on my face.

I leaped out of the car, bouncing over to Dylan like a child you chuckled at my excitement.

I clung onto his arm tightly, pulling him forward.

There were happy little children running around, their parents following them with smiles from game to game.

I never really got to play the games, can't afford it but I still love to walk around.

While we walked around the grounds Dylan told me all about his date.

He sounded so happy and I couldn't be happier for him. He deserves an amazing girl. I just hope she doesn't think our friendship is any more than what it is. Its been a problem in the past.

Jake even tried to get me to stop being friends with him and I even did for a couple months before we worked it out. He still gets angry when we hang out but he's my best friend and I'm not sure who I would choose in the end.

When we entered the lane of food trucks my stomach growled really loudly even through the screaming children and music Dylan managed to hear it.

He chuckled at me, "Want to get some food?"

I desperately did, I hadn't eaten since my little salad the day before but I couldn't afford it right now. The meal last night almost completely drained my account and I hate using credit.

"Nah, I'm not hungry. You can get something though."

He raised an eyebrow at me, "Opal." He warned, "What's happening, we both know you're hungry."

"I'm not, honest!" I squeaked, cringing at how obvious it was I was lying.

He frowned, stopping and turning to me.

"Why aren't you eating? Are you having money problems again? I've told you a million times your body is prefect, please tell me that's not why you aren't eating."

I stared at my feet awkwardly, "I just can't really afford it right now..." frowning.

"But its fine. I can make myself something when I get home." I said, trying to fake a smile.

"Did he stick you with the check last night again?"

My face went red in embarrassment as I nodded, fiddling with my fingers.

He sighed, rubbing his face, clearly trying to keep himself together.

He smiled gently at me, "Come on, I'm buying you food."

"Dylan, really-" I tried protesting but he cut me off.

"No! I'm buying you food whether you like it or not and you are eating the entire thing because I can tell you've been skipping a lot of meals lately." He said stubbornly before leading me off to our favorite truck.

These trucks made the best tacos we've ever had and every time it came to one of the events we always ordered the same thing.

He ordered our meals, despite my protests and we went and sat down at a nearby table.

"Eat the whole thing." He said stubbornly, pointing to my food as he slid it over to me.

"Thank you." I mumbled softly, digging into the delicious food.

I know this food doesn't cost a lot and I know Dylan can easily afford it but I still felt really guilty. I hate mooching off other people because I had a fancy meal last night. Its just not right, but I knew Dylan wasn't going to let it go.

After I was basically force-fed the last bight of my meal by Dylan we decided to walk a little more before heading home.

As we were walking I saw Jake'd familiar face at some carnival game.

I smiled, about to go say hi when he wrapped an arm around some little red-head. I shook it off, he's allowed to have female friends, its probably nothing.

"Do you feel like churros?" Dylan mumbled but I couldn't process his words as I saw him lean down and kiss her. And not like a sweet little, I'm your friend and I love you like that kiss it was a deep, long make-out session. There were parents eyeing them angrily because it was that inappropriate.

He had his hands wrapped around her waist, hers around her neck as he pulled back and smiled at her, still holding her close.

I couldn't move, I couldn't think I just stood there in shock.

"Opal?"

I felt my hands start to shake as I watched them. Jake payed for them to play games, the games I couldn't afford because I payed for his dinner, because I supported him completely. I always wondered what he actually did with his money and now I know.

They walked over to the cotton candy cart next door and he bought a large one that they shared.

I couldn't breathe, I couldn't feel anything. I just watched.

After a couple minutes Dylan finally spotted what I was starring at.

He froze, watching for a second, before he literally became red with anger.

I tried to grab him but it was too late, he was storming towards the happy couple.

When Jake spotted him his face paled as the dread set in.

Before he could process anything Dylan decked him in the face sending him sprawling to the floor.

Dylan was a security guard, therefore a big guy and he definitely knew what he was doing.

The girl screamed, tears or fear coming to her eyes as Dylan kicked him in the ribs once, hard, making sure he says on the ground.

Jake groaned, holding his side as I watched, completely emotionless.

Dylan stood over him, breathing hard, his face tinted red.

He spat on him before he started yelling.

"YOU NEVER DESERVED A GIRL AS GOOD AS OPAL YOU WORTHELESS PIECE OF SHIT. DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE TOLD HER SHE WAS TOO GOOD FOR YOU AND SHE DIDN'T LISTEN?! EVEN FUCKING STRANGERS TOLD HER THIS BUT SHE WAS LOYAL AND STUCK BY YOU. YOU LUCKY BASTARD SHOULD'VE FELT BLESSED AND KISSED THE GROUND SHE WALKED ON. YOU MOOCH OFF OF HER, MAKING HER PAY FOR YOUR APARTMENT, YOUR FOOD, MAKING HER CLEAN UP AFTER YOU AND WHAT DO YOU DO IN RETURN?! YOU FUCKING CHEAT ON HER!"

The redhead was full on crying now, hearing that her boyfriend was cheating on her.

"Dylan stop." I said weakly, reaching out to him.

"NO! THIS LITTLE DICKED BITCH NEEDS TO HEAR THIS."

"Dylan, please."

He turned to me, his face softening, "You've got to stop being so nice to everyone."

I shook my head at him, begging him to stop and thankfully he listened.

"I want you out of my apartment by next Sunday." I said calmly.

"Opal, please. Its not what you think! She's just a friend!"

"JUST A FRIEND?!" the redhead spoke up. she was so mad her face matched her hair.

"ROT IN HELL! WE'VE BEEN OFFICIAL FOR 8 MONTHS NOW!"

I closed my eyes when I heard this information, trying to breathe through the pain the enveloped my heart.

"Get. Away. Now." Dylan gritted out through his teeth and Jake instantly obeyed, running off.

"I'm sorry." I said quietly to the girl as tears streamed down her face.

She shook her head, "Do you have anywhere to stay?" She asked me, a little hope in her eyes.

"She can stay with me." Dylan spoke up.

She shook her head, "Come stay with me. We can both take this week off, eat a shit-load of ice-cream and get over that dick. Please? I really don't think I can be alone right now." She sniffled and I could hear the desperation in her voice.

"Sound perfect." I said softly and she gave me a grateful smile, wiping away her tears.

"I'm Kate." She said, extending her hand.

I smiled, "Opal."

"Are you sure?" Dylan asked.

I nodded.

"If you change your mind my apartment is yours." I gave him a grateful hug before following my new friend Kate to the parking lot.

Dylan drove me here so she was my ride back home.

We arrived at a gorgeous apartment building.

"You live here?" I asked in awe.

She nodded happily, "I'm currently the 4th richest person in New York."

I blinked at her and she shrugged, "My dad invented amazon."

I gaped a little at that.

"Lets go."

I followed her to the top pent-house and looked around in awe.

"This is amazing."

She sighed, "Ya, its nice... Just a little empty. I'm sorry if I pressured you into staying with me if you don't want to I understand."

"Are you kidding me? I'm so happy to have the company."

She smiled sadly, leading me to her kitchen where she pulled out 2 separate tubs of mint-chip ice cream. She handed me a spoon and an entire container before we settled down in her living room and we watched a movie.

I was honestly too sad to eat, leaving the ice cream untouched.

We both bawled our eyes out as we finished the notebook.

We ended up cuddling under one of her big fuzzy blankets and she ended up eating my ice cream too.

It felt good, it was exactly what I needed.