My New BFF

Chapter 4

Bree and Jolene went to my house for a girl's night, and we ate pepperoni and cheese pizzas and drank wine as we talked. I had told them about Bex and my crazy paranoia from the other night. 

"Wait so you thought there was a stalker?" Bree asked as her eyes widened looking at me.

"I was hearing things." I answered and let out a soft laugh. 

"But it is super weird, though since it has never happened to you before until now." Jolene said.

"My advice is, keep your new buddy on a very tight leash for a while." Bree advised. 

"But guys, Bex is just a college kid, what harm could she cause me?" I snorted and laughed.

"Bree is right, anyone can act nice and before you know it, they kidnap you as some hostage or something." Jolene pointed out.

"She is also a fan of you and your work and fans can be crazy... at least the toxic ones are." Bree added. 

"We are just asking you to be careful with Bex, that is all." Jolene mumbled. 

"Don't worry," I sighed in defeat and raised my left hand as I rolled my eyes. "I will be careful and cautious with her." I assured them. 

Jolene and Bree didn't say anything back but looked at each other as if they were speaking to each other without a word spoken. I looked at them silently thinking about what they said. It made sense for them to worry about me and I understood where they were coming from. I was going to keep some amount of distance from Bex for their sakes, not mine despite me thinking Bex was nice and completely harmless. Why would Bex want to harm me in any way? We are friends... right?

"Rachel has this work dinner thing about my book on Friday, you two should come with me." I suggested, breaking the awkward silence.

"Sure." Jolene beamed and smiled warmly at me.

"Will Bex be joining us?" Bree asked and raised an eyebrow.

"I honestly don't know; I haven't asked her yet." I answered and bit my lip as I looked down at, my rug on the floor. 

"We'll be there." Jolene assured me. "Right, Bree?" Jolene asked sternly and looked at Bree.

"Yeah," Bree mumbled and looked down. "I will be there... we both will." Bree sighed and rolled her eyes. 

"Thank you." I responded, at least somewhat happy with her answer. 

I was writing on my laptop after Bree and Jolene left until I had gotten a call from an unrecognized number and answered it. 

"Hello?" I mumbled.

"Hey Sabrina, it is me Bex." I heard Bex's voice and sighed softly.

"Hey." I replied and smiled. 

"Is this a bad time to call?"

"No, no, no." I giggled.

"Cool," Bex giggled. "So... what's up?"

"Not much, it's perfect timing you called, I wanted to ask you something." I answered. 

"Shoot." 

"Well," I mumbled nervously. "Uhm my publisher, Rachel is having this dinner party on Friday, I was wondering if you would want to go?" 

"I would love to!" Bex cheered.

"Great, it is at five and I will text you the address." I responded happily. 

"Okay, cool. I have to go and finish up my homework." Bex said.

"You go and do that then." I replied and nodded.

"Bye."

"Bye now." I said and hung up the phone.