Page 131 of You + Me – Against the World

Arcadius: I suspected he couldn’t be trusted. He’s a born manipulator who wants to control everything and everyone.

Alma_from_paris: But you are under control! You’ve never been so restrained!

Arcadius: When I’m with you, I feel like he’s a little further away, Alma.

I reread his words, tears welling in my eyes.

Alma_from_paris: Everyone wants to tear us apart, don’t they?

When I only want one thing: to be close to you. As close as I can be.

Arcadius: I’m going to go have a word with him. Felix just arrived. He says he’ll back me up if things get heated.

Alma_from_paris: No! Don’t go getting yourselves riled up, you two! Who cares what he said? It won’t change anything…

Arcadius: You want to start seeing me in secret again? Always having to go home early, constantly checking who’s around until you become paranoid? Do you want to have to think up a new lie every time? This changes everything, Alma!

Alma_from_paris: I’ll convince my dad. I’ll do whatever it takes.

Arcadius: You’d do anything?

Alma_from_paris: Yes.

Arcadius: Then use Clémentine.

Alma_from_paris: What?

Arcadius: Ask her to make Keith talk. What he really thinks of me, my relationship with you, my friendship with Fe…

Alma_from_paris: Vadim, I can’t do that to Clem. I don’t want to interfere in their relationship. She’ll be so mad at me if he leaves her…

Arcadius: He’ll do it anyway. I can guarantee it. What do we have to lose?

Alma_from_paris: A sixteen-year friendship!

Arcadius: Alma, you didn’t even flinch when you went and put Cheyenne in her place.

Alma_from_paris: What’s the connection? And how do you even know that?

Arcadius: I know everything… You’re not gonna be scared of your best friend, are you?

Alma_from_paris: I’m not scared of her. I’m scared for her.

Arcadius: Exactly, so we have to open her eyes: Keith is gonna break her heart. We need to know what he’s up to! D’Aragon is online. Talk to her, please.

Arcadius: Do it for her if you won’t do it for me…

Arcadius: Do it for us too, Alma.

I hesitate. Everything knots together in my mind, creating a tangled-up mess.

I remember Keith’s scathing words and my father’s final verdict. Clémentine’s joy and pride when she confessed the identity of her secret lover. Vadim’s past, the injustice that follows him everywhere, the bad reputation that clings to him. He doesn’t deserve to be subjected to this again.

I find myself torn between family, love, and friendship. But it’s not a fair fight, and I know in advance who’s going to win.

Alma_from_paris: Juicy, are you there?

Clemy_juicy: No, the keyboard is typing by itself… Ernfkjdfusgtvox.