Circles - Post Malone

Three

Dahlia can hear Gina squealing in delight the second she rounds the corner. She regrets her decision to come immediately. "It's five forty-seven in the fucking morning, Gina. Calm the fuck down," Dahlia deadpans dropping her bag at a very Jolly Gina's feet. Gina hops up and down then reaches out her hands but does not touch Dahlia. She knows better. Dahlia rolls her eyes, "fine. Five seconds only and do not smell me like you did last time."

Gina squeals and wraps her arms around Dahlia. "This is going to be amazing. I get to start a new life with my two best friends. Thank you for letting me hug you," she whispers into the top of Dahlia's head. Oh, she has friend-zoned Austin big time. "Ok, that's enough," Dahlia bats her away.

"You smell nice."

"Gina!"

"What? I can't help it. You smell like vanilla and fresh coffee... it's yummy."

"You are so fucking weird."

"Close your eyes and put out your arm."

"No."

"Oh please, Dahlia. I have a gift for you."

"Absolutely not."

Gina fake pouts and grabs Dahlia's arm, tieing something to it. When Dahlia pulls her arm back she sees that Gina has tied a colorful bracelet to it. Gina holds up her wrist showing Dahlia her matching one. "They are friendship bracelets. I made them myself and I also made Austin one. The three of us are going to be the best of friends and support each other through thick and thin."

Dahlia looks at her bracelet and then slowly blinks as she looks up at Gina. The girl is still fucking smiling. "Kill me now. Please. Just put me out of my fucking misery and kill me now. Friendship bracelets? What are we? Five?" Dahlia groans out. Gina's face falls and she starts to blink her tears away. Dahlia hates herself even more and she can't decide if it's because she feels bad. Fucking Gina. Dahlia does not know what to say. She sucks at the emotion thing.

"You saved my life, Dahlia. I will always be grateful for what you did. And yes, maybe in the beginning I started hanging out with you out of guilt. But you made me feel safe and you didn't treat me like some fragile princess. I love you so much."

"Stop."

"You are cold as ice but I know there is a warm, kindhearted woman within you."

"Please. Stop!"

"You just have to believe. Believe in yourself. Believe in who you are. There is magic inside of you Dahlia Hart."

"You done now?"

"Yes. Unless you want to end this talk off with a hug."

"Fuck off," Dahlia says grabbing her bag and walking over to the now parked and waiting bus. Gina is a handful of fucking rainbows on her worst days and Dahlia barely manages to stop herself from slapping the shit out of her. Now she has a cloud of glitter sprinkled over her fucking rainbows with how happy she is. Dahlia also has to share a house with her in New York. It's a fucking nightmare.

She makes her way to the back of the bus and grunts in annoyance when Gina sits down next to her. She was hoping Gina would give her some space but she is shit out of luck it seems. As if she had any luck, to begin with anyway. So she puts her earphones in, pulls her hoodie over her head, and closes her eyes. She intends to sleep for the entire four-hour bus trip. Gina better shut the fuck up.

Dahlia wakes up to Gina's hand squeezing and tapping at her knee. She cracks one eye open expecting to see Gina's annoyingly happy face in hers but all she sees is the back of Gina's head.  What the fuck? She opens her eyes and takes out her earphones. But her initial annoyance with Gina evaporates immediately when she hears the conversation.

"I am sure you are a gentleman. But I am just not interested."

"Oh, I am a gentleman. Come on, how about you come sit on my lap and I will show you just how much of a gentleman I am, sweet cheeks."

"Oh, goodness. I don't think those seats are designed to hold two people," Gina says. This girl. Seriously. "But if you are really set on showing me you can just do it from your seat."

"No!!" about three women and Dahlia shout as the man that had been talking to Gina grabs his crotch. Dahlia stands up and shoos Gina into her seat next to the window while Dahlia climbs over into Gina's. She flips the guy off and then turns to Gina. "What did I say about talking to strangers?" she asks, annoyed at Gina again. Gina looks a bit flustered, "Oh, but..." she starts trying to explain but Dahlia's irritated face makes her think better of it. "You said not to," she says, defeated. "Why, Gina?" Dahlia pushes. "B-Because most strangers are bad. Most strangers are like...like...Bobby," Gina says softly.

"You are a grown woman, Gina. I don't know why I have to repeat myself to you," Dahlia complains. Gina nods her head softly and then leans her forehead on the window. Dahlia knows it's the mention of Bobby's name that has deflated Gina. Heaven knows that Gina needs a new start in New York just as much as Dahlia. She settles herself in her seat and closes her eyes but no matter how hard she tries she can't drift back off to sleep. Gina is her only friend. She is the only friend she has ever had. Even though she hates Gina and her stupid sunshine attitude she doesn't want her to feel like shit. But she also does not want to hug her. What the fuck is she supposed to do?

"Thank you."

Gina turns to look at Dahlia with a confused face. Dahlia holds up her wrist - showing her friendship bracelet. "Thank you. No one has ever made me something so sweet. Even though it's ridiculously stupid...I...just...thank you," she says. Gina gives her a big grin and settles into her chair again. "You are most welcome, Miss. Dahlia."