Chapter 8: Conflicted.

I felt guilty and happy. Happy for two different reasons. One of which was a bad reason. I was happy Simon had called me, I tried to hide it from forming pictures in my mind, for Eric’s sake. But I couldn’t deny it. I wasn’t exactly over Simon. I wasn’t over any of my past loves. They were all committed to my heart. It wasn’t fair at all. Eric deserved better. He expected devotion, and faithfulness from me. I was devoted and faithful to everyone, especially the most recent of my failed romances. Eric was angry about Simon calling. But that’s all he knew. So guilt and happiness were chewing away at me inside, and Eric was refusing to leave to let me allow it to get out. He was giving me weird looks, always trying to decode the part of my thoughts he couldn’t hear. I tried to smile. I’d been a good actress, and I think mostly he bought it. Eventually I had to go to my classes. Not the best place to vent, but better than in front of Eric. I got weird looks all through my Anatomy class, the last class before I went to intern at Seattle Hospital. Big classes meant no one paid attention. Psychology was different. Juliet was in that class, aspiring to be a psychologist. It was beginning to feel like ever since Eric the only look Juliet had given me was the concerned look. Funny how Juliet was the only one who saw through acting. Except Haley who always kept quiet, either not wanting to intrude, or plainly not wanting to hear about it. Haley would bubble about something else. Juliet would give me the concerned look and ask probing questions that always hit the spot. She didn’t disappoint after class at the café.
    “Did Simon call or something?” She asked never breaking her stare. I looked up and deliberately chewed on my sub. She waited.
    “Yes he did” I said as nonchalantly as should be humanly possible. Considering the emotions behind the simple idea. She smiled a little rueful smile.
    “Eric?” was all she said.
    “Is coming.” I said.
    “Coming where? The Baltic Room party Simon wouldn’t shut up about during History of Psychology?” She said with a sly smile. I groaned.
    “Actually I think he was more excited about you” she said, her smile growing more pronounced.
    “Juli!” I whined. “You know I don’t want to hear that” I said quieter.
    “Oh Jane” she said. Turning into the Juliet that had been there for everything serious, and all my heartbreaks. “Jane. Jane. Jane” she said.  
    “I can’t help loving them both” I said, in full heart-to-heart mode now.
    “Both?” She said raising an eyebrow
    “Yes” I said “Both” Juliet nodded. Loving two men wasn’t new. One being a vampire probably should be a difference but she didn’t know that.
    “He’s a little weird you know” she said pursing her lips. I laughed.
    Then Eric pulled up in a red car that looked too fancy and too unlike the black expensive car he’d used previously. He beeped, but looked out the window grinning at me.
    “So am I” I said. “So you’ll be at the Baltic Room to bail me out if…you know?” I asked, not knowing how much Eric cold hear. Juliet nodded and I hoped her thoughts weren’t forming pictures.