LEILA {ongoing}

10.

I had the best weekend.

Dani invited me over and we went shopping for our Halloween costumes on Saturday. Both of us weren't too keen to put a huge amount of effort in, it was just nice to go shopping with a friend. I hadn't done it in ages.

It was also fantastic to get to know her a bit more. Her ultimate plan is to be a nurse once she finishes college. Her family is well off but she is looking into what scholarships she could be eligible for. Possibly even get a scholarship through cheerleading. I didn't even know that was a thing.

Dani's parents are divorced but both live within the Austin area so she stays permanently at her dads and visits her mum almost daily. Her dad is a surgeon, working long hours. As long as the house is clean by the time he gets home, he doesn't mind her having parties. Hence the rager a few weeks ago. What a champ.

Her mum got re-married and now has two more kids, both in early primary school. Dani calls them the 'little devils' but her smile tells you she loves them.

She took me on a tour of her favourite shops and cafe's, ending the night with her go-to takeaway joint. Taco Bell.

"You're such a drama queen! It's the best fast food ever to be created." Rolling her eyes at me when I told her I wasn't a fan. She clearly hasn't had the cheeseburger and loaded fries from my local burger joint back home. I drool just thinking about it.

"Ok, I've been waiting for you to bring it up all day, and you haven't." I just tilt my head at her. I'm not too sure what she's on about.

"Not only did you turn up with the duo, you also looked after Mica's little sister, like the independent boss girl you are, and went home with them. Spill girl. What's going on?" Wiggling her brows at me.

Coughing on my food, I take a long sip of my lemonade. "... I don't know what you mean by spill. What do you think happened?"

"Well, I think you were just helping out a friend." I nod at this. "Ashley thinks you're sleeping with the both of."

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry Dani!" I splutter, handing her a bunch of napkins to wipe the lemonade off her face that I just spat all over her.

"So I take that as a 'No' to sleeping with them then?"

"Not just a 'no,' that's a HARD 'NO' Dan. Geez. Fuckin' Ashley." I grumble. "Let me guess, everyone liked that version better so now it's fact."

"I mean, would it really be the worst way to spend a couple of hours." She rests her cheek, in her palm, leaning on the table. Her eye's glazed over.

I really don't want to know what's running through her head right now.

"Dani, I told you. I don't plan on dating. I'm sticking to that. They're fun boys, the end... Plus, don't think I haven't noticed how every girl in the school pines after them. I'm sure they don't have trouble gettin' some."

"True that. They've definitely enjoyed there 'status' amongst the girls at our school."

"See, I'm just Leila, the friend, the babysitter. The end." I smile. "And I like it that way."

"huh," she sighs, "what a waste of good looks." She shakes her head at me.

+++

Sunday is family day, and today it comes with a side of car shopping.

I told dad what I wanted to get but, as I thought, he wants me in a more practical, reliable vehicle. Every dealership we went to all dad talked about was the fuel to Km, sorry miles, ratio and safety features.

You can't fault him though, He was just looking after his only child.

Deciding to keep looking, we made our way home to enjoy a movie together.