She's Just That Kind of Girl

Twenty-Two | Violet

The party ended around eleven p.m. The remainder of the evening before its close was a blast. Dallas showed off her rapping skills, my sisters coaxed me into dancing with them as everyone else did, having a mini party of our own. We even karaoke-d a little. Honestly, times like these were what I missed the most with my sisters.

Dallas and Selena left with Austin and Preston, separately, going who knows where. I felt best not to ask, since I would want the same respect. I made sure they each left with a bodyguard before leaving and informed mine I would be staying put. William left last, though he lingered around for a while before going. Bottom line, this meant I was stuck cleaning the condo again. While there wasn't that much to clean up really, it still felt a smidge inconsiderate. I suppose it's the least I could do for my actions lately, so no complaints left my lips. Tanner stayed behind to help because of a guilty conscience—I assumed—which was sweet of him.

            I collected glasses and cups while Tanner cleaned the grill. Tossing remaining liquids down the drain and their solo hosts in the garbage, I hand washed the crystal glasses afterwards. When Tanner finished outside, he collected the beer bottles, trash, and wiped all the dirty surfaces.

"So, I have a question," I said, drying a glass.

            Tanner paused. "Okay, shoot."

            "What made you feel that Mary was the one?"

            "Well, other than the affection she used to show me and things we used to do together, and the fact that she got along with my mom, I guess not much. I figured love was just that simple."

            I nodded slowly with my lips scrunched up awkwardly. "You're doing a whole lot better with Mary than I've done with my breakup with Shane. Props to you."

            Tanner shrugged. "It is what it is. I was pretty certain I wanted to break up with her anyway, I just wanted to give it a fighting chance if there was one. So it didn't have to be all for nothing. In a weird sense, it was but wasn't. Honestly, I'm still not sure how to make sense of it."

            "I don't blame you. Makes my head hurt."

            He smiled and tossed the cleaning rag over his shoulder. We inspected the space. The entire condo sparkled.

            "Thanks for helping, Tanner. You really didn't have to."

            "No problem. I wanted to. You guys have done so much for me and my friends," he checked the time on his phone. "I guess I better head back. I don't want to keep you from writing or anything."

            "Well actually, I wasn't planning on really doing much. Maybe watching some movies. If you want, you can stay and watch them with me. If that sounds like any sort of fun to you that is."

            "What kinda movies are we talkin'?" Tanner asked with a mischievous smile.

*≈*∞*≈*

The title of the movie came into focus, then a blood curdling scream. The phone in the movie rang and Drew Barrymore answered the phone. "Hello?"

I prepared three giant bowls of movie snacks: Nacho Doritos, popcorn, and grapes. I changed into my comfy clothes a bit earlier, which were also my pajamas, and really it was just my Papi's Bee Gees t-shirt that I loved and old gym shorts. Tanner made a joke about it, expecting me in silk pajamas from France with exotic material. An amusing banter.