Fool's Gold [Completed]

05: About the Boy

After the night I'd spent with Harry, I wasn't sure what to do. There was a nagging voice in the back of my head telling me I needed to stop seeing him altogether, but there was another part of me that thought I should get another opinion on the matter. That was where I was at a loss, though. Normally I would tell my mom everything, but I couldn't tell her about him. If I did, I'd have to fabricate at least half of the story or omit details and, while writing is my forte, I didn't want to lie to her about something like this when I already had so many other things I was keeping from her. Thinking about it, Dory and Daphne both had more experience in the romance world than I did, so if anybody could give me advice on what I should do to get rid of the feelings starting to grow, it would be them.

Dory had taken off on Monday to work on an assignment with a classmate, but she insisted that we come over for a sleepover when we were done so that we could meet her new friend. She had mentioned the girl sparingly throughout the semester - her name was Shaina, if I recall correctly - talking about helping her with her work all throughout their 2-D Design course, and though it didn't seem like the ideal environment to be discussing this sort of thing, Dory assured me that her friend wouldn't judge. Apparently, Shaina already knew about the stripping.

Dory had always been an open book. I don't think I'd ever understand it, or how she became friends with the two girls in the club with their walls up the highest. Then again, she could probably befriend a brick wall. That was just part of her charm, being able to make everyone feel important and loved.

After work, Daphne and I split a cab and made our way to Dory's place. We both managed to get off earlier than usual - it was a slow night, so Liv insisted we get some rest and she'd cover for us - and the promise of a warm meal and good company made the night ahead seem inviting. It was definitely needed on both sides. I could tell by the look in her eyes that Daphne was having a rough time, but with what I wasn't sure. I hoped maybe with Dory's help we could find out and help her, but I knew it was unlikely she'd open up to us about it. She rarely did, but she always knew we were there and she said that that was more than enough.

We made our way to the fourth floor and knocked on the door, the aroma of some combination of tomato sauce and cheese filtering into the hallway as we waited. Usually we did spaghetti dinners, but it smelled like Dory had decided to switch it up this time around for our new guest.

"Oh, they're here! Give me one sec."

There was scurrying on the other side of the door before it was pulled open, and Dory's arms were thrown around us both.

"You made it just in time! I pulled the cannelloni out a minute ago. Come on, come on, come ooon." She was clearly excited, though that wasn't much a change from the usual, and she tugged on our hands to lead us inside.

"One of these days, I'm going to bring something that isn't Italian food so I don't have to keep working off all these carbs," Daphne sighed, but she chuckled nonetheless, setting her things down once we'd reached the living room.

"Oh hush, you know you love my Italian food," Dory said, sending a pout her way.

"You'd think you'd cook more Spanish food considering your heritage," I commented off-hand, setting my own bag beside Daphne's.

"I had plenty of that growing up, so I'm expanding my horizons. You two have never complained until today! Hush!"

We laughed as she turned to flounce back into the kitchen and that was when I noticed the brunette sitting at the breakfast bar, checking her phone. Her back was turned towards us until Dory got her attention and pointed over towards us.

"Shaina, these are my best friends from the club! This is Daphne, and this is Mikayla, but we usually call her Mikki. Actually, I call them Daphy Duck and Mikki Mouse, but I don't think they like it very much," she giggled and I couldn't help but to smile, shaking my head.