Just Friends

Chapter 8

Maria grabbed her phone from the locker to check the time. It was 7:48 am she stretched then turned over and read the messages on her phone. There was one from Vicky, three from Keith and one from Colm. She hadn't really seen Colm that much the last few months. He was asking if she wanted to go with him to the new horror exhibition that the wax museum were putting on for Halloween. He had a spare ticket so she could have it if she wanted it. It had been 6 months since Maria and Keith went on their first date. They had such a good time that Keith had asked Maria to be his girlfriend a week later. Of course she said yes. She knew she was lucky and she was the envy of the other girls at school, even Vicky told her she was jealous that she had such a cute boyfriend. When Maria wasn't with Vicky she was out with Keith. She replied to Vicky first then Keith. 

Hey handsome, Colm has a spare ticket for the horror exhibition in the wax museum today and asked if I want to go with him. We don't have any plans do we? xx

She had just put the phone back on the locker when it beeped to alert her to a text.

Hey beautiful, nope no plans. Maybe we can meet up when you're done at the museum though...if thats ok? xx

His message made her smile. She replied back to him first then sent a message to Colm to thank him and telling him she'd take the ticket. She was surprised when she got a message back seconds later from him.

Hey Stranger, that's great. I'll pick you up around 12 if thats ok?

She felt herself getting excited, as crazy as it sounded, she had actually missed him. They had only just started getting close and then he disappeared again. 

Great, that's perfect, I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks again for the ticket 

She put the phone back down and closed her eyes. Maybe she could get another couple of hours sleep. It should be illegal to wake up this early on a Sunday morning. 

The beep on her phone alerted her to another message. It was Vicky.

Call me! 

Maria checked the time on her phone 8:23am she must have managed to fall back asleep for a little while. She yawned as she scrolled through her phone. She tapped on Vickys name and their smiling faces filled the screen. She loved that photo of them and it made her smile. Vicky answered on the first ring.

"Jeez, that was quick. What's so important that you were holding the phone waiting for me to call?" 

"Sorry I know it's still early for a Sunday but...are you and Keith ok?" 

Maria was confused

"Um yeah...why?" 

"Crap...Ria, I hate to be the one to tell you but...I just saw him dropping some girl off and .... well they were kissing before she got out of the car." 

Maria felt like her heart stopped beating for a minute or two

"Are you serious? Do you know who she was?" 

She could hear the pain in Vickys voice, she hated being the one delivering the bad news.

"I'm so sorry Ria, I really wished it wasn't him. I thought maybe it was just someone that looked like him but it was definitely him. I recognised his Dads car." 

Since getting his licence he sometimes used his dad's car, he was supposed to have an experienced driver with him though so they rarely went out in the car. It obviously didn't bother him this time though. His parents were away for the weekend. He had asked her to stay over at his but she knew her parents wouldn't allow it so she declined. He must have gone elsewhere for company. 

"Ria? are you ok?" 

She coughed to clear the lump in her throat and blinked away the tears in her eyes. 

"Yeah sorry, I'm ok. I just....he just text me a little while ago asking to meet up when I'm done in the museum. I don't understand..." 

Her voice started to break so she stopped talking and took some deep breaths. 

"Ria, I'm coming over. Are your parents there or in work?" 

"I'm not sure, I think my Ma said she was doing a double shift today so won't be home until this evening, not sure about my Da. Are you coming straight over? Don't knock, I'll get up now to let you in."

"Yeah, I'm nearly at the top of our road. I was out for a jog. See you soon" 

Maria hung up and got out of bed. She grabbed her jeans off the back of the chair and a black tshirt and got dressed. There was a million thoughts swimming around her head as she ran down the stairs and opened the front door. She peeked out and saw Vicky just passing her own house. She gave a little wave and jogged a bit faster to the door. Once inside she gave Maria a huge hug. 

"I'm so sorry Ria, I should have slapped him when I saw him but I was so shocked." 

Maria felt the first tears drop onto her cheek. 

"Nah, he's not worth it. I can't believe he cheated. Why cheat? Why not just break up with me first. I don't understand it." 

As though he knew that he was the topic of conversation Keiths name and photo popped up on Maria's phone as it rang. She sat staring at it until it stopped ringing. Seconds later it rang again.....she ignored it once more...then again and again. The fifth time it rang she answered.

"Hey baby, I was getting worried when you weren't answering. Is everything ok?" 

Maria couldn't believe he was acting like nothing happened when she knew he had just been with someone else. 

"No Keith....everything is not ok. Who's the girl you were kissing this morning?" 

Silence

"You didn't think anybody saw that, did you?" 

"Shit, baby....I...she was nobody. I just..she kissed me and I just didn't react on time." 

Vicky had her ear against the back of Maria's phone so she could hear the conversation too. She shook her head vigorously. 

"Don't like to me Keith...Why would you cheat? If you don't want to be with me then that's fine. There's nothing I can do about it but....just tell me, you didn't need to cheat...." 

Her voice broke as she said the last word. She didn't want him to hear her crying so she ended the call. He tried calling back a few times but she kept ignoring the call.

Ria made tea and toast for both of them, in the middle of eating they heard a knock on the door. Vicky got up to answer it.

"What the hell do you want?" 

Maria groaned and put her head on the counter. She didn't want to see him face to face but she couldn't leave Vicky to handle it, that wouldn't be fair. She stood up, splashed her face with water at the kitchen sink then went into the hallway.

"Please Vicky, just let me see her. I need to explain"

"There's nothing to explain Keith, I saw you kissing that girl, there is no explanation for that."

Keith noticed Maria coming up the hallway. 

"Maria...baby please. Can we talk?" 

VIcky spun around to Maria. 

"You don't have to if you don't want to. " 

Maria gave her a weak smile

"I know Vicky, thanks but I'll give him 5 minutes" 

Vicky gave her a hug then turned to Keith and gave him a look before turning back to Maria

"I'll just be in the kitchen, if you need me just call" 

"Thanks Vic" 

Ten minutes later Vicky heard the door shut and Maria walked into the kitchen. They looked at each other before a loud sob erupted from Maria's chest. Vicky ran to her friend to console her.