Red Pickle

Chapter two

The next day I woke up with a pounding headache. I stared at the ceiling for about 15 minutes, just trying to find the motivation to get up. When I finally did, I slipped my feet (still aching from last night) into my favorite fuzzy pink slippers. I walked sleepily into the bathroom down the hall and stared at my reflection.

I wasn't particularly pretty, but I wasn't ugly either. I had a cute button nose, but eyes that were a little too wide apart. I had full lush lips, but eyebrows that were untamable. So I guess you could say I'm a happy mixture of both.
I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth, then ran into my room dressed only in a towel.

It was always the same struggle every morning. Stare at my closet for a while until something popped out at me. Today was nothing different. I finally decided on some skinny destroyed jeans, a sparkly crop top and my favorite pink converse. So what if I'm sixteen and I still dress like I'm twelve? Sparkle knows no age.

My mother's shouts could suddenly be heard as clear as day;

"Pickle! Come on! You're gonna be late for school... AGAIN"

I groaned, grabbed my back pack and ran down the stairs. I gave my mom a kiss on the cheek when I entered the kitchen and she mumbled something in response that might have been good morning. Mom was never a morning person.
••••••
Where is she? I can't believe she would do this to me. I swear the next time I see her, I'm going to kill her. Who, you may ask, is going to be my bloody victim? Arianne, my best friend. She was literally the only person I talk to at this god-forsaken school. And at the moment she was nowhere to be found and I'm left alone at our usual spot under the maple tree in the yard right outside school. I stared down at my lunch, feeling my appetite slowly vanishing due to my extreme loneliness. Then there she was skipping down the path in my direction with a guitar slung over her shoulder.

She was dressed in her usual floral print dress and ankle boots. Her mousy brown hair was was in lose waves flowing down her back, with a floral headband for a little added flare.

She and I were polar opposites in many ways but yet exactly the same in many other ways. For example; we both have the same taste in boys, movies, music an hobbies. However, her pale skin and the dark caramel brown of my own is only the beginning of our differences.

"Sorry I'm late." she huffed, sounding a little winded from the skipping she was doing just a second before. Although her body looked fit, she wasn't.

"Damn boys wouldn't leave me alone. I had to be chasing them off with a stick" she said with a slight chuckle. I looked at her for while then started bursting with laughter. A few seconds later she joined in. We both knew that boys wouldn't look in our direction even if we had a sign that said 'free vagina' taped to our chests.

We were considered the weirdest girls girls in our school, solely because of a nail polish incident in the 9th grade (I won't get in the details). Neither of us has ever had a boyfriend, but we were ok with it.

After our fit of laughter, I finally caught my breath and asked;

"No but seriously, why are you so late? I've been waiting for hours"
Arianne looked down at her watch.

"You've been waiting for like five minutes"

"Whatever, you know what I mean. So tell me, what held you up?"

A guilty look crossed Arianne's face, which was a tell-tail sign that she was trying to come up with a lie.

"The truth please. No funny business" I said a little too harshly.

"Ok ok. A boy actually was talking to me, the new kid, Rajae"

My jaw slowly fell open.

"You're kidding right?"

"Nope, look we even exchanged numbers" she pulled out her phone and showed me the number. I let out a low whistle.

"Wooooooooow" I looked up at her and smiled.

"I'm happy for you Arii, I bet he's great"

Arianne smiled down at phone and went off to dreamland, probably thinking of color schemes for their upcoming wedding. I shook my head and wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans. I had to step my game up, I couldn't let Arianne fall in love before me. I was genuinely happy for her but at the same time I knew it wouldn't be fun to be single while your best friend is happily in love.
••••••
That night, I was on my bed in the most ridiculous position ever, with my legs at odd angels and my laptop balanced on my hip.

To block or not to block, that is the question. Staring at Shemikia's picture gave me a strong urge to block Duronie, but then I re-read our messages. He was so funny, sweet and there was never a boring moment in the conversation. Until that hoe came along. With her big tits and face full of make-up, she passed through any and every boy in our grade. Since I'm such a concerned friend, I plan to protect Duronie from her only because I don't want him to contract aids.

Because nearly everyone has slept with her, her nick name became "the mattress".

I typed a simple message to Duronie, hoping he wasn't too busy talking to his new fling.
Me: Hey :)

The few minutes that he took to respond felt like hours.

Duronie: Hi there. How are you? Long time no talk.

I responded immediately.

Me: Ikr! I'm ok I guess... Guessing by your profile picture your doing great. Am I right?

Duronie: Well yeah, I'm in a happy place right now

Me: I see

Duronie: Yeah... Um pickle? Are you ok?

Me: I'm fine, just tired.. Goodnight.

I felt awful. I knew it was dumb to behave so immature and jealous, but it really hurts to know that another girl was making him happy. He can do so much better.

I closed my laptop, snuggled up in my covers and started devising my plan called; 'win Duronie's heart'. My looks might not catch his attention, but my charm and spunk sure as hell will.