Milkshake •Eddie Munson

Chapter Six: Loyalty

Two Months Later..

It's been two months since Desiree and Mark have become a couple. While Desiree is happy to be in a relationship with the perfect guy, a few disagree. Steve, Eddie, and Dustin already had bad taste about Mark since they caught him looking at another waitress. After Eddie failed to convince Desiree about what they saw, they knew they needed to tell Dawn and Neil. If anyone can persuade Desiree to rethink this decision, it has to be them.

After Desiree left the diner, Steve, Dustin, and Eddie rushed over to where Neil and Dawn were. They told them about what they saw, but like, Desiree, Neil wasn't convinced by this accusation. He thought Steve and Eddie were just saying it because they were jealous, but Steve and Eddie both said they weren't. They were looking out for Desiree. Neil waved it off, yet their words still played in the back of his mind. He held onto that until he noticed Mark's behavior towards Desiree and realized Steve, Eddie, and Dustin's concern about Mark was accurate.

At first, Neil thought Mark was the typical boyfriend until he saw the glint of possession in his stare. He didn't know why Mark would have that because Desiree wasn't a piece of property. It was until Neil noticed whenever Desiree would hug him, Mark's body language would shift. "Mark, you alright, man?" Neil had asked him one day, and Mark nodded through clenched jaws, "Everything is just great, Neil." Mark had responded. That's when Neil recognized the look of possession Mark had forDesiree as if she was a delicate china doll, yet he didn't say anything because Desiree was happy when she ran back over to Mark and left with him. Little did he know that was only the beginning of the lost list of red flags.

Another time Neil became concerned with Mark's behavior was when Desiree's style of clothes started to change over the past two months. She went from wearing jeans, shorts, and crop tops to preppy skirts and sweaters, even having her hair styled in curls. It finally took the day Desiree had walked out of her room for Neil to say something to her. "Desiree, what the hell are you wearing?" He asked while she put on her flats.

Desiree looked at her clothes, then at Neil, "Uh, clothes?" She responded, confused by what Neil was getting at. Neil shook his head, "No, you're wearing clothes of the girls that you and I used to make fun of in high school. This style isn't you, Desiree. What's wrong with your old clothes?" He asked, and Desiree scoffed, "Mark says I shouldn't wear those types of clothes anymore because it brings unnecessary attention to other guys." She explained, and Neil raised his brow, "Other guys, as in Eddie, right?" Neil asked while tilting his head and crossing his arms.

Desiree mirrored Neil's stance, "No, just guys in
general," She replied while she shrugged, "I'm
respecting my boyfriend's wishes. What's so wrong
with that?" She asked. Neil looked at her, shocked,
"Wha..What's wrong with that? Are you kidding me,
Desiree? Have you not noticed how he's changing you?" Neil asked while waving his hands up and down, "He's made you change your style. Telling you who can and cannot be your friends. The most alarming thing is this, I don't think I have heard you drop a single curse word since the day you became a couple." He points out, and Desiree shakes her head, "That's not true. I still cuss from time to time. I-" She goes to explain, but Neil cuts her off, "Oh, really? When? When was the last time?" He asks.

Desiree bites her lip as she tries to think over the past two months to give Neil an answer but can't. Desiree's puzzled look and realizes she can't come up with a response. "My point exactly, Ree. He's changed you." Neil declares.

Desiree shakes her head, "I don't have time for this," She scoffs while grabbing her keys and purse, "Out of all people that know about what I've dealt with relationships and loss, I figured you would understand that I'm finally happy, Neil." She pops off while grabbing her jacket. Neil sighs, "And where are you going?" He asks as he chases after Desiree. Desiree quickly turns around and faces Neil, "I need some air and space right now. While I'm gone, you'll have time to rethink these stupid accusations about my relationship." She remarks, then slams the door.