Heartstrings

22. The Girl Code

Author's POV (Lee above)

Serene was at home admiring her engagement ring. She was so excited that Lee proposed but she couldn't help but notice that something was wrong with Becca and Dae. They were acting strange and she knew that whatever it was things would always bounce back. Serene didn't want any tension between her friends while planning her wedding. Turning on her laptop, she went online to check a few wedding websites and mark some appointments in her planner. The Jazz Bar was the new hangout spot so she decided to meet the girls there to discuss her ideas for the wedding. Becca was going to help since she was an event planner but she also wanted to include Dae as well. Checking her watch she had about an hour before it was time to meet the girls.

When she arrived, Dae was already seated. She was looking at the menu while drinking hot tea. "Hey girl! How long have you been here?" Serene asked Dae as she sat down. "About five minutes." Serene pulls out her planner and asks for Dae's opinion. She knew Dae was excited about her wedding as she smiled at each page. She felt that Dae was going to tell her what was wrong when she was ready so she didn't push her.

Dae's POV

I came early to meet Serene to discuss her plans for her wedding. I needed some time to myself to think about my life. I started to question my relationship with Becca. I ordered a tea while I waited for Serene to arrive. When Serene came with her planner I knew that I had to be there for her and push my feelings aside. When I looked through the planner she marked Monday evening with my name on it. It was for a cake tasting for the wedding. I looked at the notes for tomorrow and she marked that day to visit the boutique. I had a date with Jin tomorrow night so I took out my phone to call him.

"Girl, Jin texting you?" Serene asked jokingly. It made me chuckle because I knew she was trying to lift my spirits. "No, I need to call him so we can reschedule our date tomorrow night."

"Dae, don't reschedule your date with Jin. I appreciate that you want to be there for Lee and I but you have to make time for you." Serene took the planner from my hands. "Lee and I were going to decide once we talked it over with everyone." I felt relieved that Serene understood but also she considered how I felt. "I made sure to schedule an appointment for the tasting on Monday. I know that you may have to work but you take your break in the afternoon right." At that moment, Becca pulls out her chair and sat down.

"Yeah, but I'm off that day so I'll be there." I smiled at Serene. Becca looked over her menu as Serene and I continued to chat. Eventually there was silence and tension in the room. Trying to clear the air, Serene looked at Becca then looked towards me and said: "So, I wanted to meet with you and Becca to make sure you're on good terms." Becca peeks at me from the corner of her menu.

"Serene, I don't know what happened. Becca can tell you what's wrong with her."

I understood that Serene wanted Becca and I to sort out our differences but I didn't have an issue with her. It was as if she already had an attitude before we went to dinner. Maybe something bad happened and she's lashing out. Regardless, I don't have time for this. I'm looking forward to my date with Jin tomorrow night.

"From what Becca has told me, she says that Cody spent the night at your place." Serene added. I was upset that Becca didn't discuss her issue with me. I leaned over the table and snatched Becca's menu from her hands. "Let me get this straight. So you can discuss your issue with Serene instead of picking up the phone to call me." I cut my eyes at Becca.

"You slept with Cody didn't you? You broke the girl code." Becca hissed through clenched teeth. "First of all, Cody was drunk because you dumped him. He flew all the way from Italy only to find out that you went back with Mike. So, he spent the night at my apartment but I didn't sleep with him. He slept on the couch while I slept upstairs in my room. Lastly, remember that you're the one that left him." I slammed the menu on the table and at that moment , I wanted to leave. Serene tugged on my arm. "Dae don't leave. Let's talk it out." I sat back down and Becca reached into her purse and tossed something on the table.