The Thing About Flip Flops

Chapter Seventeen: Your Face Looks Like A Psychopathic Blobfish

"Audrey, you need to stop."

"I'm trying to help, okay?"

"Well, I don't want your help. I don't need help."

"Look, I just want you to understand. This means so much to him," I angrily tell my sister through the phone the next day at school.

"Audrey, I know it does. I'm happy for him. Honestly," Genevieve says tightly.

"No, you're not! I know you. You're upset."

"It's none of your business."

"Of course it is! You two are my dad and my sister!"

"I don't want to talk about this."

"Vivi-"

The line goes dead as Genevieve hangs up on me, and I feel like tearing up. Since when have our conversations been tense and short? We used to be so close. I feel like I'm losing my sister.

"A?" Jack says, poking my shoulder repeatedly to get my attention. I hadn't noticed he was behind me. I finally turn to face him. I raise my eyebrows, asking a silent. What do you want? "Who was that?"

The look on his face is bizarrely curious. "It was my sister, Genevieve. Why?" A flash of realization flits across his handsome features, and then is gone.

"No reason."

"She goes to university, alright? She's busy. We were just catching up," I tell him, even though he didn't ask. "What's it to you, anyway?"

He raises his hands defensively. "I'm just making conversation! I'm sorry, okay?" I sigh and shake my head.

"No, I'm sorry. It's not your fault. I'm just tense."

Suddenly I feel arms hugging me from behind and hands come up to cover my eyes.

"Guess who?" Says Chris in an unmistakable voice.

"Could it possibly be Chris?" I ask sarcastically pulling out of his embrace. Jack snorts a mocking laugh.

"How's my wonderful girlfriend doing today?" Chris asks me. "You look as good as always."

"Yeah, I'm great," I lie, not meeting his eyes. Jack looks at me with raised eyebrows but doesn't say anything.

"Well, I'd be upset if you weren't. You excited for tonight?" Chris smiles, his blue eyes bright and happy. "It's going to be a great time."

I smile genuinely. "Yeah, I know! I'm lucky my dad said yes. He was all on the fence, but he eventually agreed. What time are you picking me up?"

"How about nine?"

"Sounds good to me. When should I tell him I'll be back?"

Chris smirks suggestively. "Oh, I don't know. It's going to be pretty late. Just tell him I'll have you back in the morning."

My eyes widen. This is escalating very quickly. "He'll never agree to that."

"Fine. Say you'll be back late, around one or two." I agree with him, and suddenly remember Jack. I look around for him, but realize he's left at some point during the conversation.

I guess he didn't want to eavesdrop or something.

***

Chris is not wrong. The seats are amazing.

It takes forever for the lights to dim, but we keep up a steady flow of conversation until they do. The loud music begins and the crowd cheers. I've never liked loud noises, or big crowds, but I'm determined to have fun tonight.