"Camila!"
I twirled around, stunned out of my celebration, and met my grandma's
expectant stare.
Whoops. I wondered how long she'd been standing there.
I ran over to the iPod dock and switched off AFI's Miss Murder. "Sorry. Just
getting my groove on." I smiled sheepishly. After a practice where I could've run at least another hour, I returned home with energy to spare. A weight had lifted off of me, and I felt like celebrating.
I'd decided to shelve my homework—since nothing was due this week, anyway—and forge a hole in my carpet with some horrendous dance moves.
"Well, you left your phone downstairs. Dinah called." She tossed me my cell, which I caught. "And it's almost seven. Are you ready to go eat?" Grandma waved her hand towards the door.
"Absolutely." I grabbed my black cardigan and black Chucks. I'd changed into jeans and a t-shirt after I'd come home to clean up following practice. Since Jared's locker room intrusion, I'd opted to shower at home now.
"I'll be down in a minute. I want to call Dinah back."
Grandma nodded and walked out.
The idea of apologizing to Dinah caused my stomach to roll. She was dating a
girl that treated me badly, and it hurt that she could turn a blind eye to that. But, I also realized the she and Lauren were using each other.
In time, probably sooner rather than later, this fling of theirs would be over. As long as she wasn't teaming up with her to treat me like shit, then I'd decided not to give her what she wanted.
"Hey," I greeted Dinah timidly when she picked up.
"Hey." Her voice sounded curt.
I took a deep breath and let out a sigh. "So, I hope I can cash in a Get Out of
Jail Free card. I'm sorry I said what I said today."
She was silent for few moments as I nervously drifted around my room. "You acted like a dick," she mumbled.
I almost laughed. Well, she was talking to me at least.
"I know. She has nothing to do with me anymore. If she's what you want, then
I can grow up and get over it."
"Apology accepted." I could hear the smile in her voice.
"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow. I'm off to dinner with Grandma." I could
hear her mother calling her in the background anyway.
"Have fun. And I love you, Mila," she said sweetly.
"Love ya, too. Later."
We hung up, and I already felt better. Thank goodness that was done. Now,
if I was lucky, I'd only have to endure minimal meetings with Lauren. If I was really unlucky, though, she'd make all of Dinah's and my outings into threesomes.
I also still felt like slapping my friend a little. But, at least, I'd let go of my bitterness about Lauren. If she wanted to rebound with Lauren, then that was on her. I was tired of making a problem where there wasn't one, and to save myself some stress, I decided to mind my own business. She knew how I felt, and I knew she wouldn't betray my trust. That's all I needed.
I practically danced down the stairs, feeling like the hippo that'd been sitting on my chest decided to finally move on.
"Well, you seem like you're in a good mood." Grandma's eyes followed my movements. "School was good today?"
"Yeah, actually. It was great." Letting Lauren know how much I'd been hurt by her let the frustration out. I no longer felt buried under her actions and my struggle to maintain a façade.
"Good. What are you in the mood for? Judging from your jeans, I guess O'Shea's is out." Her flat tone showed disappointment. O'Shea's was her favorite restaurant in our less than diverse town.
"How about Mario's?" I asked as I sat down to tie my shoes. I loved their pasta with basil and olive oil. The old couple that ran the restaurant was sweet and inviting, and my parents went on their first date there.
"Sure. Sounds good." She grabbed her purse, and I snatched her keys. I always had to drive unless the situation didn't allow it. Everywhere felt like forever to get to unless I was in control of the vehicle. Luckily, the adults in my life were indulgent.
