“It’s… It’s a… Um…” I rambled on and on, only hoping that something good would come to mind.
“Did you… Did you buy this TODAY?!” she shouted, infuriated.
“Yeah... But…” An idea popped into my head. “…It’s for you.”
Hey. I never said it was a good idea.
“Really…?!” her expression softened completely. “Gosh dude, I’m hella sorry for yelling at you!” she exclaimed, taking the bag and peering into it. Her smile widened even more. “Oh no way. It’s a shawl? God, these are the SHIT right now! I love you, girl!” she screeched, flinging her arms around me, before taking it out to look at it fully.
“So freakin’ cute dude. I have some lipstick in my car that would look amazing with this. I’mma go get it, see what you think. Be right back.” she said, rushing out to her car.
I could only sigh as I watched her happily bolt off with my shawl.
My beautiful shawl… For a second, I thought I was gonna drop down on my knees and start pouring out tears. Yes; I was that broken up about it.
Rynan walked over to my side, laughing. “That wasn’t for her, was it?”
“What? No! I just get a little overwhelmed with her enthusiasm sometimes.”
“Don’t even try playin' me Ariel. I known you how long?” he continued to laugh. “Talkin’ about ‘overwhelmed with her enthusiasm.’ Whatever!”
“Hey, shut up!” I laughed too. That was a pretty stupid excuse.
My smile faltered as she came rushing in, the shawl tied neatly around her neck, as she focused on her compact; applying her lipstick like a pro.
“Looks great on you.” I said, half-heartedly. It was the truth; it did look great on her. But that’s what sucks.
“Thanks; I love it! Now I’mma get you something DOPE girl, don’t even stress.” she promised.
“You really don’t-“
“No; I gotta.” she said, interrupting my protest. “Anyway, I been dying to ask you. How was your date with Phi?” she said, trying to keep her voice hush-hush.
Apparently, she failed.
“Yeah; how was it?” Rynan said, and I could hear the hostility in his voice.
“Okay…” I replied, to the both of them. Way to go, Rochelle.
“That’s it? Details girl, I need details! Did you kiss him!?” she asked excitedly.
I glanced at Rynan, as he stared at me intently. And if looks could kill…
“Yeah. We did. But keep it on the down low. WOULDN’T WANT ANYONE TO FIND OUT!” Phi accentuated the last part. When did he even join this conversation?!
“YOU KISSED!?” she shouted happily.
There isn’t a person left on this damn planet who knows how to keep their voice down.
“Indoor voices, guys…” was the only thing I could manage to mumble out.
“Hahah, sorry Ayr. But this is big.” she laughed.
Okay, if I don’t tell her every single detail of what happened that night, and soon, she’s going to keep asking the worst questions possible, and get me killed. I gotta move; and fast.
“Oh, dude, I think one of my contacts fell out in the car!” I lied, pulling Rochelle out the door, and into the car. I locked it, and took a quick breath.
“Okay. You remember that night I said I would call you back and never did…?” I said, feeling zero pangs of guilt whatsoever. She’s done it countless times; and this was probably my second.
“Yeah; what the hell dude?”
“Shut up. You never call ANYONE back. Ever.” I said bluntly.
“Oh, yeah. Hahah-“
“Anyway, I called up Rynan, and we met up at the park to… talk.” I exaggerated the last part, hoping she’d get the idea.
“What’d you talk about?”
…
“OH MY GOD!” she shouted, the lights clicking her mind. “DUDE!”
“I know, I know! I didn’t even mean for it to happen like that, I got caught up in the moment…”
“Noooo, when people get ‘caught up in the moment’, it doesn’t mean anything afterwards.” she stated. “So, were you ONLY ‘caught up in the moment’?” she asked.
Then it dawned on me.
Who do I choose?
