Telltale Tango | Complete

Eleven - Giselle

My small bedroom is sticky with heat, despite our best attempts to divert the uncontrollable hot air from the vent out the window. The cool breeze occasionally makes it past the heat curtain and blows cooling tendrils across my skin. Which is good because making it out of here without sweat dripping everywhere is goal number one.

Priya makes no noise as she walks down the creaky hallway. Or I don't notice her. But either way, she is suddenly at my door, holding a bowl of cereal. "Giselle, you cannot be serious about going out with him again."

"Of course I'm serious. Why wouldn't I be serious?" I hold the earrings up to my ears and spin around. "Which goes better with the outfit?"

"The green." She shoves a huge spoonful of cereal into her mouth as I slide the earrings in. Finally, she swallows and adds, "And last time you saw him, he ran off. No explanation at all."

"That was a one off. It was weird but I assume he has a reason. I'm just going to dinner. I'm sure he'll explain."

"Why are you ignoring the part where he ran off and left you alone in a dive bar?"

"It was not a dive bar and I've already explained. We'll just avoid any more places he got hung up about his ex, and we'll be fine."

"Are you listening to yourself?" She grabs my shoulders and spins me around to face her. "You're fine just going on like that? Second fiddle to a woman he can't have?" Somewhere along the way she's abandoned her cereal atop my wobbly dresser, presumably to scold me with both arms.

"What am I supposed to do? Judge him for not being over his ex?" I spin to face her. "Don't you think it would be a little judgemental of me if I did that? Considering I'm doing the same thing?"

"You are not doing the same thing! How can you say that?"

"I'm dating him--at your request, I might add--because I need to get over my ex, right? Isn't that what you said?"

"Well, yes. But--"

"There's no but, then.

"Yes. There is." She spins in front of me, blocking me from my perfume. "That doesn't make it right, Giselle."

"You have literally been heralding how much a new guy would help me get over my ex. So, maybe I'm taking your advice and giving him a second chance after he bailed. He had a good reason, I think. And he didn't do anything scandalous before he left." My mind wanders to his hands in my hair.

"Okay, but that doesn't mean--"

"Priya. I've decided. I'm giving him another chance. It seems fair and it's almost entirely without risks. I've had a whole week to sit with this and I'm sure. Okay?"

Her face says what she won't: it isn't okay.

"Fine," she sighs finally. "You're right. But at least let me change your necklace. That one looks like you robbed an Opera singer."

That was harsh. And also true. I nod and let her choose my jewellery selection until she tries to add a bracelet.

"Priya, I love you, but I don't have time for bracelets. I gotta go or I'll miss the bus."

"Fine. Fine. Just be safe, okay?"

"I will. See you later."

"Yes, me and my snacks will be here when you get back. Unless it's after 3. I'll definitely be asleep by 3."

"Goodnight, Priya."

She calls something after me but I can't hear it through the slamming door. If it's important, I'm sure she'll send me five or six texts about it.