Bri

Chapter 7: Meeting

Since the lunch bell would be ringing soon, I made sure the rest of my work was completed; that way, I could figure out what to eat. When I arrived at my office earlier today, Agatha mentioned that she needed to meet with me. It just so happens there was a student she wanted me to counsel specifically; I would be informed of the details sometime after lunch. The last time I had an important meeting with her, she gave me a courtesy call on my cell in case I wasn't in my office. I finalized the note on the student that had just left when I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in," I announced, and Brittany walked in. Huh?

"Hey, Brittany. Why are you here?" I asked, and she smiled at me.

"Oh, you're coming to lunch with me." She stated matter-a-factly.

"I am?" I questioned, and she nodded.

"Yup, let's go." She replied while opening my door, waiting for me.

"No, it's okay. I'm not hungry," I said, attempting to decline her offer quickly, but by the look on Brittany's face, she was not going to let this go easily.

"Don't think you're getting out of this, now, get up, and let's go," She ordered, pointing towards the door, and I sighed. I guess I have no choice.

I got up from my desk, grabbed my bag, keys, and locked my office door once we were both out of the room. Then, together in silence, we walked to her car, and she began to drive along a road I haven't yet ventured on. I have no idea why Brittany is doing this. Maybe she just needs to tell me something, or perhaps she wants company. Who knows?

We arrived fifteen minutes later at a small, mom-and-pop restaurant that I never been to or noticed before, called Grandma Jolene's Diner. Once inside, we sat down at a free table. It feels homey and smells like pie; Mia would love this place. The waitress took our orders rather quickly, and once our drinks arrived, Brittany addressed me.

"Cambria, what's wrong? I can tell that something is off with you. I know I'm not as close as you and Sara are, but I care very much about you. You can confide in me, and if you wish for me not to tell Mia about our conversation, I won't. You can trust me." Brittany stated, and I could hear the concern and honesty in her tone. Dammit... I guess I wasn't hiding it well enough.

"What gave me away?" I questioned.

"I think an easier answer would be for me to tell you what didn't give you away," She countered, and I sighed, giving her a half-smile. She's not wrong.

"You won't say anything to Mia?"

"No, it's like I tell her all the time; I won't say anything unless I feel she is a risk to herself or others, and so on. The same now applies to you, Cambria." She reassured me further, and I nodded, taking her words in for a few minutes. Then, when I was ready to open up and trust her, I spoke up.

"It's not like I want to hide this from her or anything... it's just... I don't want to worry her or make her feel bad, ya' know?" I said, and she nodded in agreement, and it seemed as though she understood what I was saying, which was a relief.

"You have my word. I know you and I had a pretty rocky start with our friendship because of my involvement with Vivian, but... you and Mia mean so much to me, of course, not as much as Sara does, but you get my point." Brittany reiterated, and I smiled, understanding exactly what she meant.

"Yeah, I do get it. It makes sense, and you two mean a lot to me as well. I am sorry, though, if it seems like I don't tell you as much as I do your girl." I admitted, and she just kept her attention on me, which showed me how meaningful this conversation was to her.