Just Friends

Chapter 9

It was 11:30 when Maria looked at her phone. There was 15 messages from Keith and 1 from Colm. Crap! She forgot she was going to the museum with Colm. He had messaged to say he was on the way. 

"Crap, Colm is on the way. I forgot we're going to the museum." 

Vicky went red and looked down at her clothes. 

"Oh crap, I have to go. Look at the state of me, I'll never have a chance if he sees me like this" 

Maria looked at her in shock. This was the first time she really admitted to liking Colm. Vicky realised that she had spoken out loud and went even redder.

Maria started giggling...then it turned into full on uncontrollable laughter. She tried to speak but her was struggling.

"I can....ca....can't be...believe...." She took a deep breath "You've finally admitted to liking himmmmm" 

The last word came out in a screech of laughter. Vicky didn't look amused

"Well I'm glad my discomfort and embarrassment is the source of your amusement" 

"Sor...sorry but it's just....it's Colm" 

She pulled a face when she said his name.

Vicky rolled her eyes

"Yeah well I happen to think he's gorgeous and he's always so nice to me...just because you two fight like brother and sister doesn't mean I can't appreciate his looks" 

She couldn't keep a straight face any longer and burst out laughing

"Ok..I see why it's funny but please, swear you won't tell him" 

Maria made the cross sign over her heart. 

"I promise" 

She walked to Vicky and gave her a tight hug. 

"Thanks for telling me about Keith Vic, I know it was hard but I'm glad I found out now before we got too serious" 

Vicky gave her an extra squeeze

"No problem, I know you'd do the same for me....if I ever manage to get a boyfriend...right I better run and you need to rinse your face with cold water, it will help with the redness." 

Maria walked Vicky to the door, when they opened it Keith was sitting on the porch step. He jumped up at the sound of the opening door startling both Vicky and Maria. Vicky squealed.

"Oh my GOD. What the hell is wrong with you Keith?" 

He looked ashamed 

"I'm sorry, I just....Maria please just give me another chance. Please" 

Maria turned away from him and hugged Vicky again. 

"Thanks again Vicky. I better go get ready. Colm is going to be here soon" 

She saw the flash of shock on Keiths face. He probably thought she would sit in all day crying over him. Well he has another thing coming. She cried enough for him. Now she was going out to have fun. Vicky said goodbye and told her to call her if she needed her. She walked past Keith giving him a disgusted look as Maria closed the door in his face. 

Running up the stairs after she closed the door she peeked out the top window. She watched as Vicky walked up the road and went into her own garden. Keith walked to the end of the garden and kicked the wall. He grabbed his foot instantly and hopped about  a bit. If she wasn't so upset she would have laughed. She moved back away from the window so he wouldn't see her if he looked up. He sat down on the ground and she walked away. 

In the bathroom she washed her face and brushed her teeth. She applied some mascara, waterproof of course, just in case and some clear lip balm. She was never really big into make up, a bit of mascara, sometimes eyeliner and some lip balm and she was all set. 

Ten minutes later her phone beeped. It was Colm letting her know he was here. She went to the window and looked out. She didn't see Keith, he must have hobbled home to get some ice for his foot. She grabbed her jacket and bag and headed downstairs. Opening the door, she saw Keith sitting on the porch step again. She hadn't seen him from the window. 

"Keith, please...just leave me alone." 

She looked over to Colm in the car. He obviously hadn't seen Keith either because he was straining to see who she was talking to. 

"Maria please, I just want a chance to talk properly. I love you, I don't want to lose you" 

Maria laughed, it came out harsher than she had meant it 

"Are you seriously telling me that you love me for the first time AFTER you kissed someone else?"

He had the sense to look ashamed

"I know, I'm an idiot. I should have said it a lot sooner but it scared me...I just...I've never felt like this about anybody and I got afraid, I panicked. As soon as I kissed her I realised how much I love you. I don't want to be with anybody else. Please Maria, please forgive me." 

Maria felt her heart breaking all over again. A few hours ago she would have given anything to hear those three words but now, they meant nothing. 

"I'm going out now Keith, please don't be here when I get back" 

She pulled the door closed behind her and walked down the path towards Colm's car.