“I can’t believe Callum’s flirting with you.” Amanda said as the two walked around passing from tree to tree, talking and gossiping.
“Doesn’t he flirt with other girls?” Aliah asked.
“He’s not actually a people’s type of guy. He barely leaves his crib if not work.”
“Oh, so you mean he’s like you? No wonder I like him. You think he likes me?” she asked as she stopped.
Amanda also stopped to look at her. “Well, he looks like he does. He did say that he did look closely.”
She squealed. “That’s great.”
“Sheesh! I’m starting to regret saying that. Come on, let’s go. The woods aren’t going to explore themselves.” Amanda said as she rushed away and she followed. “I did…” she imitates Callum while running off.
“Hey…” Aliah chased after her.
“Oh I think I should give you a shower, why don’t you take your clothes off, daddy.” Amanda teased.
“I did not say that.” she complained chasing after her.
Amanda ran, laughing. She’s always been fast ever since they were kids but she tripped on a root and fell. Aliah ran for her.
“Are you okay?”
She sat upright.
“Yah!” she says as she looked at her now bruised arm. “It’s not that serious.”
Aliah sat down with her and looked at it. “Well, at least that’s for messing around with me. And the chicken duty.”
“Well, you liked it.”
“Only when he took his shirt off.”
They both chuckled then sighed, panting from all the running. “We’re growing old for this, huh?”
“Yeah.” Aliah looked at her. “It’s a good thing you didn’t hit your face.”
“Oh shit! That’s a good thing. Or else we would no longer look alike.”
“Or I’ll just have to hurt myself and give myself the same scar.”
“Yah!” Amanda said as they both leaned their backs on a tree. Amanda chuckled. “We’re stupid.”
“I know!” They both laughed.
They sat there in silence enjoying the movements of the branches and leaves against the wind. “You know…” Amanda started, “…when you told me…us…what happened to you in Vegas, I felt guilty that…”
“I know.” Aliah cut her off.
“No, you don’t get it, listen to me.” She said as she sat upright. “I shouldn’t have left you that day back in college. I should have waited and dragged you with me back home if I had to.”
“I don’t want you to blame yourself.”
“I knew you didn’t have the address and I wanted to give you a hard time finding your way back the same way you did to me when packing. I should’ve just stayed…”
“Even if I was a pain in the ass?”
“...even if you are still a pain in my ass.” She sighed. “Maybe it would’ve changed everything.”
“I was the one who was reckless…and stupid and irresponsible.”
They chuckled but it was sad chuckles.
“I should’ve listened to you.” Aliah admitted.
“I should’ve bared with you. It’s my fault.”
YOU ARE READING
Tell The Difference
General Fiction* Usually this would be the time that Amanda would say, 'I told you so' and right now I would give anything for her to be here. Maybe she would scold me, but I would take it. Maybe she would scream at me the whole way home, but I would take it. And...
