My Father's Best Friend

Chapter 11

"We have got to go clubbing, you never do anything fun anymore!" Carrie says.

"Fine. But only for a few hours, I have work in the morning ugh." I say.

"Great! Meet me there at 8! And put on a hot dress, for god's sake! You're starting to remind me of my grandma." She says, laughing.

"Shut up!" I say, rolling my eyes and laughing. To tell the truth, I don't go clubbing anymore because I don't want to meet a new guy. I already have. And he can't be mine. Ironic, huh?

I've only talked to Mark a few times since we went bowling, but he's not making an effort anymore. Maybe he's just not interested?

I start to get ready, since its already 6:30. I go into the shower, get out, blow dry my hair, and put on a mid thigh black dress. This is as much as you're getting, Carrie.

I curl my hair, put on some makeup, and slip on my favorite heels.

I pull up to the club, to see Carrie waving me down.

"Hey!! You look great!" She squeals.

"Thanks, you too." I reply.

We walk in and order some drinks. I sit down at the bar, and Carrie runs off to dance.

I'm stirring my drink with my straw, and someone comes up to me.

"Hey, I'm Cole." He says coolly. He has the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen, and light brownish blonde hair.

"Aria." I say back.

"What's a beautiful girl like you doing alone?" He inquires.

"I'm with a friend, you?"

"Alone." He smiles. My mouth forms into a half grin.

"Maybe I could change that...?" I question. I'm tired of playing by the rules, Carrie's right. I need to move on, Mark and I can't happen.

"Well, let me at least buy you a drink first!" He laughs, and I smile.

We sit there talking for a while, and he turns out to be pretty cool, and I learned that by pushing down the thought that kept occurring, he's not Mark.

He starts to lean in, and I do too. Suddenly, he's pulled back. I look behind him, and I see a tan woman with sleek black hair.

"Cole, what the fuck are you doing?!" She screams. I just look at them in confusion.

"Baby, it's not what it looks like." Cole says to her. That's his girlfriend?!

"Wait a minute, you have a girlfriend?!?! What the hell, you said you were alone!" I scream at him.

"It's not what it looks like? Yeah, right! You were about to kiss this slut!" She yells.

"Slut? What the fuck I wouldnt've even talked to him if I would've known he was with you. Insult him not me!" I get angry.

"He wouldn't have even approached you if you weren't dressed like a hooker!" She spits. Is she serious?

I get so mad, I spill my drink all over her hair, and slap her hard across the face.

I guess this has created a scene, because next thing I know the cops are standing in front of me. I try to explain, but they won't listen. They take me to the station for "harassment and assault." As if.

I sit in the room they put me in, waiting for anyone to come tell me what the hell is going on. Finally, an officer comes in and tells me I can make my phone call now. Who am I going to call? Carrie? Shit, she left her phone in my purse because she had no pockets. My parents? They would end up in jail instead of me for murder.

My mind only wanders to one person...It's like midnight. He wouldn't even be up. But he's my last hope.

My fingers frantically push the digits I have so pathetically memorized.

It rings, and rings, and rings...

Until I hear a husky "Hello?" on the other end.

"Mark, it's me Aria. I don't have much time to explain...but I've made a mistake...I need you to come pick me
up at the station."

"What?! What happened?" He says, nervously.

"I'll explain everything when you get here. Please come. I don't have anyone else." I say desperately.

"Of course. I'll see you soon." Mark says. And the call ends.

A little while later, Mark shows up in his pajamas. Classic.

"Aria! What happened?" He says looking relieved.

"I kinda got into a fight at the club..." I say shyly. He just looks at me.

"I'm gonna go get you out of here. You'll explain in the car."

The car ride home is literally so awkward. He just keeps looking at me.

"Well are you gonna tell me?" He says.

"I was talking to this guy...he said he was alone, he bought me a drink, we flirted, then he leaned in to kiss me. Then out of no where, his crazy girlfriend comes out of nowhere and flips her shit. Which I get, because I was pissed, too. But then she starts bashing me, saying I'm a slut and I was dressed like a hooker. And I got mad. So I poured my drink on her and slapped her. And now here I am."

Mark just clears his throat.

"Interesting."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I retort.

"Aria, you're a grown woman. You should know better than to get into a silly bar fight. Just remove yourself from the situation, or don't put yourself in one." He says, looking at the road.

"What the hell? I didn't know he had a girlfriend! And I wasn't just going to let her call me a slut! Do you even hear yourself, Mark? God!"

"Yeah, but were you seriously about to kiss a guy you met five minutes ago? You trusted him so easily. He could've been crazier. I just worry about you, Aria."

I scoff.

"So that's what this is about? I get into a fight and you're upset about me flirting with a guy? I can't be happy with you so I can't be happy with anyone else?"

"I didn't say that. Don't twist my words." He says with a flat tone.

"You know, when I had to make that call, I thought 'Mark's the only one that can really be here for me right now." But I guess I was wrong. Sorry for relying on you."

He sighs. "Aria...You know I'm always here for you. Don't be like that."

"Whatever. Just drop me home." I say.

"Ar...lets just talk, I'll make you coffee at my place?" He offers. I almost feel bad. But this cycle just continues to hurt me. We're good, then we aren't, then we are. When will it end? We can't be friends, because eventually our feelings for each other come out. I am so sick of it.

"Mark, I'm not mad, only tired. I would rather just go home, if that's okay." I say, even though I really want to take him up on his offer. Distance is what's best for us right now.

"Sure." He says, and I look over at him. He looks kinda sad for a minute.

We finally pull up at my dorm, and he unlocks the car door. I go to open it, but he puts his hand on mine to stop me. I feel instant butterflies.

"I wish you would stay." He says, his deep brown eyes softening. Distance, Aria, distance.

"I'm sorry." I say, my breath hitching. I lean over and kiss him on the cheek, and open the door. He drives off, and I'm alone again.