A Better Boyfriend (GirlxGirl)

Seven- Scarlet

Destiny's plans to travel were spontaneous and unexpected, admittedly, but they sounded exciting. Honestly, taking a moment to reflect upon Destiny's choices over the past few years, I supposed they weren't really too unexpected. She had always wanted to see the world, ever since she was a young girl.

I supposed that I had always been a little hesitant towards pursuing that life. I liked where I was. I was a total home body. At least, I had been, when I lived with my family. Living with Chase had sadly begun to feel a little less like home these days. That was why there was a part of me that was perhaps gladder than it should have been that Destiny suggested I stay with her.

"I'd love to go travelling one day," I said.

"What's holding you back? And don't say Chase," Destiny replied.

"Chase," I said, a little sheepishly.

"You've always been such a people pleaser, Scarlet. When are you going to do something that makes you and just you happy? Something that isn't for anybody else? Think about that for a second," Destiny encouraged.

So, I did. I took a moment to think about it and I realised that she might actually have a point.

Of course, she had a point. Not only was Destiny the older of the two of us, she was also often the wiser.

I gave her a friendly smile.

"I think you're right," I said.

"Of course, I'm right, I'm me," Destiny said.

I gave a shake of my head in my soft humour. Being around Destiny just made me feel calm. She had such a peaceful presence to her, that made me feel as though I could trust her with the innermost workings of my mind.

Destiny frowned and I wasn't too sure why for a moment, until I noticed her father walking down the hall towards the two of us.

So, Destiny and her dad didn't exactly get along that well. They had their moments, but Destiny had told me a lot about him, which kind of made it difficult to take his side.

"Hey Scarlet," he greeted me. "Destiny."

"Phillip," Destiny replied curtly.

He sighed and, seeming to not want to deal with anything today, walked past us and up the stairs.

"I should just get a rocket ship and leave the earth to get away from that guy," Destiny said. She had said something similar many times before. "He makes me so...irritable," she said. "Why can't he just be nice?" she asked.

"Maybe you need to be nice to him-"

"I tried that, for many years, Scarlet. You know this," she said, now it seemed her irritability was towards me, but I supposed that much was understandable. I had spoken too quickly. "God, I'm getting a headache. I may be dying. I need to lie down."

Destiny started to walk upstairs towards her room, so I allowed her a few minutes.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water and some paracetamol, then took it upstairs and placed it upon her bedside table.

As she turned on her bed, Destiny met my gaze, and a subtle appreciation filled her eyes.

"Thank you. You know, I admire you and how much you care for others. I'm sorry I snapped," she said. "I can get-"

"You don't have to explain. I understand," I said with a reassuring smile.

"I'm so glad you're here. I care so much about you," Destiny said.

"You too," I returned. "Always."

Some kind of shift occurred in the emotion present in Destiny's eyes, then, but I couldn't completely place it. That being said, though, it seemed a little like sadness, which simply wouldn't do.

"Come cuddle with me?" Destiny offered and I gave a small nod as I approached her bed and lay down beside her.

"You're so warm. Are you feeling okay?" I asked.

"Yeah. I'm really good right now," Destiny said. "I have my best friend and Chase can choke," she continued.

I rolled my eyes.

"Please try with him, for me," I said, as I rested my head on her shoulder.

"I'll try my best," she said and there was a genuine tone to her voice that I could tell she was being honest. There was something else in Destiny's expression, again, but I didn't want to be presumptuous and ask her what was going on.

Spending time with Destiny was like laying in the flowers in the meadow- it was perfectly pleasant, and I didn't have to worry about anything.

Sometimes I'd mourn for the times when being with Chase felt like that. Nowadays, it just seemed to be more and more challenging.

Destiny's eyes gleamed. "I'm happy right now," she said. "But I probably should take those paracetamols you got for me."

I nodded in agreement and Destiny sat up in bed for a moment so she could swallow the pills. Once she was done, she laid back down beside me.

"The sun is making your eyes sparkle," Destiny said, sort of absentmindedly, but it was sweet all the same.

Destiny's eyes kind of flashed. It was as though she was always thinking, always had a plan. Honestly, sometimes I'd like to just live inside my mind and see what was going on in there. It piqued my curiosity.

"Everyone was dancing at that club, and you weren't and that bothers me," Destiny said, after a beat.

"I-"

"I'm going to put on a song," Destiny said decisively.

She was a big fan of music, which I had always liked about her because I was, too.

"And we're going to dance," she said. "I'm sorry that Chase wasn't there when he should have been."

"It's okay. I had you," I blurted.

"Always. That doesn't change the fact that he was absent when he was meant to be present," Destiny said decisively.

The two of us stood up as Destiny put the song on and began to sway to the music.