Muddle on! (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 19

     Theodor Wellington

     I was in denial, in a fat ass denial, but I couldn't bring myself to accept the truth. The fact that Selena Cartwright was not your typical rich girl, even though the girls that go to Harvard were not by any means your typical bimbos. That slut talk was all a high school stereotype. Women here were self-sufficient, smart, and well behaved. I hardly ever saw a girl around here that had a wedding cake on her face, a belt for a skirt and a bra for a shirt. They were all too focused on their studies and future careers to go to that extend to attract attention. I won't say that all of the women here were angels. Some were downright bitches and whiny daddies' little princesses with an attitude to match, but even those had self-respect.

      As for Selena, she was in her own category. I couldn't compare here with any girl I've ever known. Well, I've spent the entire dinner comparing her with Marie Belle, but they were so different that it was hard to even match them in any possible category. Selena was a vivid blond with small pixie like facial features. She had big crystal blue eyes, plump nicely shaped lips and perfectly arched brows. The word beautiful was very small to describe her. She was not just beautiful. She was practically shining inside out that made her rather breathtaking. And Marie...Marie Belle was a hundred percent introvert with tendencies to simplify everything around her. She was cold and unresponsive to people she didn't want to communicate with.  She didn't shine or tried to open up to others. Though, she wasn't shy or even plain, and she was always easy-going and chatty when I was around.

     When Selena smiled, her smiles were sincere and kind. When Marie smiled you couldn't tell if she means it or not. Not in a bad sense, of course. She could smile through sadness or hurt, skillfully hiding her emotions. But there was one smile in particular that Marie could give. I saw it a couple of times and it looked like the sun just appeared in the middle of a night sky. That smile of hers was striking. If she knew the effect of it, she would know how to kill men just by using it.

     And yet, Selene made me feel restless. Therefor, I was in denial. I didn't like the fact that I was forced to meet her. If anything I'd prefer to meet the girl that would be my future wife on my own. Not because my father thought that she was good enough, but because I knew that she was the one.

    I turned the car onto the street where Marie lives and frown. There were about four vehicles parked in her driveway. One of the cars I instantly recognized. "Taylor's here." I grunted in annoyance. He was always there where I didn't want him to be. Always around Marie! Heck, he even married her while he was drunk.

     Our little conversation a week ago put our friendship into a new prospective. I must admit, he was a good friend despite his occasional prissy, whiny, or sassy attitudes. He liked attention and to have people kiss his ass for his benevolence, but like any normal man he knew better not to respect bounty lovers. Money for him was an instrument of power. And yet he wanted real friends that would be there no matter what. Weirdly, I was that friend, probably the only one who would be there for him if he needed.

     I parked behind the black Escalade with tinted windows, guessing whom it belonged to, and feeling extremely curious jumped out of the car and headed to the front door. Before knocking, I caught my breath listening. It was suspiciously quiet inside. I pressed my fist to the door to make the first knock when it swung open and Tinley appeared in the doorway.

     "Oh hey there, Tinley," I smiled at Marie's housemate and a best friend. Tinley smiled back her shy smile and stepped away letting me pass.