"You better say yes or I swear I'll rip your balls right o-OH MY GOD HE SAID YES!!!! HE SAID YES! OH MY GOD!!!! STACY!!!" I tossed the bag of chips onto the coffee table and jumped off the couch. My favorite ship had just became cannon, and it took them 10 frikkin seasons!
"STACY!!!" I screeched. There was an awkward moment of silence inside my apartment.
"WHAT?!" My housemate yelled from her room.
I ran to her, grinning like a maniac.
"Derrick! He said yes!"
"Who?" She yawned.
"Derrick" I repeated. Her expression didn't change. She clearly had no idea what I was talking about.
"Nevermind" I turned around. My excitement was already deflated.
"Okay?" Stacy replied then closed her door and went back to sleep.
And thus my Saturday started off with a bang.
Literally. A gunshot rang out. I stupidly dropped to floor with my hands above my head just as Stacy's door swung open with her holding her giant stuffed zebra in front of her chest.
"What the hell was that?" We both stated.
•
"Oh my god" Stacy choked back a sob. Police surrounded our apartment complex, and just a few moments ago we saw a couple of paramedics carrying a bodybag. It was like an episode of NCIS. This was an entirely big deal considering our neighborhood was one of those quiet and cheery types.
"Monica, dear, do you know what happened?" Mrs. Avery whispered to me with her palm against her chest.
"No, Mrs. Avery, Stacy and I just got here-"
"Margaret claims she saw the murderer" The what?!
"THE MURDERER?!" Stacy and I nearly shrieked but the old woman immediately shut us up by covering our mouths.
"Yes she-"
"Ladies, could you please move aside?" A burly officer grunted. He was flanked by two men in black uniforms looking a lot like Agent J and K.We shifted to the side, watching as they made their way to other officers. What exactly was going on? Who died? Was it really a murder? I looked over and saw an alien tentacle growing out of the officer's ear. What. The. Fuck.
"Mo, we gotta go" Stacy started tugging on my arm. I didn't budge and kept staring at the tentacle wiggling out of the officer's ear, with my head tilted to the side.
"Mo. Come on we gotta go...Mo...Mo...MO!" Stacy screamed in my ears.
"WHAT!" I yelled. I sat up gasping for air. I wiped my hair out of my face and stared wide eyed at Stacy whose hand was held up in the air with a cup of water that was slightly tilted dangerously over my face.
"Get that away from me" I spat then shoved my comforter off of me and rolled out of my bed away from Stacy.
"Sheesh not even a 'good morning'" she mocked.
"Yea yea whatever. You know I had the weirdest dream-"
"And I don't care" Stacy muttered then laughed when she saw the dead look I was giving her.
"And I don't care herdurdur" I made a derp face then walked into the shower to get ready.
"Shut up" Stacy said annoyed.
I peaked out of the door and sent her one last derp face while mocking her voice.
"Hurry up!" She threw my moose pillow pet at me but I closed the door so it ended up hitting the door then flopping to the ground.
"Hah loser. Okay okay I'm getting ready sheesh"
It was David's birthday, and he decided it would be awesome to go kayaking with a bunch of girls who had zero hand eye coordination. Okay yea that's actually kind of funny.
David is Stacy's brother and my best friend. He, Stacy, and I grew up together back in Orange County then we made our way through graduate school to LA together. Being so close to each other never helped me move on from my unrequited crush on him. You'd think a girl who's been best friends with a guy for twenty two years would get over him within those years. But sadly no. It's only made me like him even more. Which completely sucks since he has had so many girl friends, while I tried things with this guy named Jerry but things didn't work that well. Jerry had a lisp and well that lisp came with an extra side of spit. I stuck with him for three whole days back in high school before I decided I could no longer handle the human sprinkler and broke it to him softly, which only led to him sourly complaining that I was too clingy for him anyways. I had no idea how he got that impression since I remember leaving some room for Jesus to avoid his saliva from splattering across my face. Oh and I'm kidding about leaving room for Jesus, it was just an inside joke Stacy made since we went to a Christian private school, long story short.
Um what was I talking about? Oh yea David. David David David. He is one fine cookie. He has black hair, blue eyes, a straight jawline...the whole shebang. I mean he's funny, smart, kind, good looking, down to earth, funny, kind, good looking. Definitely good looking. Oh goodness what am I doing? Snap out of it Monica!
The things I think of when I'm taking a shower. I quickly finished up then got dressed.
I made sure to wear the simple black bikini I recently got from Honey (one of my favorite stores) underneath my thin striped T-shirt and denim shorts. I grabbed my retro, round sunglasses and my pineapple tote bag, slipped on my black flip flops, and headed straight out the door.
•
"He's bringing another one" Stacy stated when she stopped in front of the light. She was referring to David and how he has a new girl.
"It's cool" I replied. I ignored the tugging on my heart and changed the Flume station to the Maroon 5 radio.
"Maybe you should just-"
"It's okay, I can't help it and neither can you" I gave her a reassuring smile then began to sing along to the song while thrumming my index finger to the beat. I felt her giving me that look, but didn't let it get to me. She was just looking out for her best friend. The rest of the car ride wasn't gloomy at all. We ended up busting out our non-existent moves and sang our hearts out to every song we knew and made up lyrics to the ones we didn't.
A car full of teenagers, that stopped next to us at one light, joined us for a few moments before we drove away from them.
"On a count of three, two, o-" I whispered.
"MONICA! STACY!" A high pitched squeal rang throughout the parking lot. I turned around smiling through my pain at Jessica, Milo's younger sister, who was running towards us. Her blonde hair was perfectly curled and was bouncing around as she ran. She was wearing a cute yellow sun dress and was somehow managing not to trip with the brown wedges she was wearing.
"MONICA! HI! HOW'RE YA DOING?" I cringed. Don't get me wrong I liked the girl. It was just her enthusiastic, high-pitched voice that killed my ears.
"I'm doing good...you?"
"FANSTASTIC!"
"Great! So where's Milo?"
"He went camping with his friends."
"Oh really?"
"Yea. I know weird right?" Milo wasn't really the outdoorsy type, which, knowing Milo, meant that he was trying to impress a girl.
Jessica and I laughed realizing that was definitely the reason.
"Hey Jessica-Monica can you help me grab some stuff?" Stacy wheezed as she struggled to carry the two foldable chairs that we brought as well as the cooler.
"Oh! Let me help you with that!" Jessica rushed to grab Stacy's purse as it almost fell off the cooler.
"Nice catch" Stacy grunted as she herself caught one of the chairs.
"You good?" I asked the both of them before I headed to the trunk to get our other items.
I was just about to grab one boogie board when a hand reached out and grabbed it for me.
"Here I got it" a deep voice startled me. I turned to look over at the stranger.
"Thanks?" My cheeks lit up as I noticed how close our faces were. I quickly backed up which the stranger noted with a chuckle.
"I'm Jared, David's friend" he smiled. His teeth were really white.
"Oh I'm Monica" Why was my mouth suddenly dry? I coughed then repeated my name with another blush.
I noticed that I was staring at his green eyes way too much and quickly put on my sunglasses then closed Stacy's trunk.
"I'll just take that-" I muttered as I leaned forward to grab my boogie board.
"Not happening" he laughed as he lifted it away from me. How in the world is he that ripped? Wait let me correct that...How in the world did I not notice that he was shirtless?! I gaped at how toned his body was. I mean it was amazing. I had the urge to poke at his abs. Don't you dare! I turned away saying, "suit yourself".
"So, where are you from?" Jared asked after walking silently beside me.
"LA. How about you?"
"Same. Actually we-" we?
"Jared! You made it!" Ellie shouted. I looked over at a tan girl with a pixie cut waving frantically at us. It took me a moment before I realized that that girl was Ellie.
"You cut your hair! Since when?!" I rushed towards her and gave her a big hug.
"I was getting tired dealing with all that hair. Man I haven't seen you since Mr. Peterson's" she laughed then gave me another hug. Gone was the shy girl that she was. Confidence and strength rolled off of her in waves. I grinned with pride at her change. She took Jared into a welcoming hug and talked with him about some business with this guy named Joe. It was crazy to see her like this. I was so used to her hiding behind her glasses and oversized sweatshirts, and now she was dressed in a turquoise bikini something her past self would shy away from.
"I see that you met Jared" Ellie wiggled her eyebrows at me. I shook my head laughing. My eyes accidentally landed on his and butterflies blew up in my stomach, but they were immediately crushed when a familiar voice called out to us.
"Hey guys!" My heart pounded in my chest as he walked towards us sporting his panty-dropping lopsided grin. His hair was slightly ruffled and I noticed that he was somewhat darker.
There stood my best friend/crush with a new girl standing beside him, holding his left hand. I managed to give them both an excited smile. At least I hope I did.
"Hey birthday boy!" Ellie said as she gave him a hug. The girl let go of his hand to let him give Ellie a proper hug, but their hands immediately found each other when he returned to her side.
"So are you gonna introduce us?" Stacy said with her arms crossed.
"Hey lil' sis" David ignored her and swooped her up into a bear hug. She giggled then slapped his shoulder, telling him to knock it off.
"Monica!"
"David!" I laughed then walked into his arms.
After giving Jared one of those bro hugs, David wrapped an arm, casually, around the new girl's waist.
"Guys this is Nicole...Nicole this is everyone" we all laughed at his reference then looked at the girl. She had long brown hair and was sporting a white bikini that complimented her sun-kissed skin. She was petite and seemed nice. That was another thing that sucked. David always knew to go for the nice ones. It wasn't that he was a player-he wasn't-but it was hard to not be able to dislike any of the girls he dated. I was a lost case.
"Hey" Nicole smiled at us.
"Well are we gonna just stand here or-" Stacy was cut off by Jessica's infamous squeal.
"David! Happy Birthday! Oh my god Are you Nicole?!" Jessica managed to hug them both with her tiny arms. To her favor, if Nicole was bothered by Jessica's over-excitement she didn't show it. Instead, she talked to her as if she and Jessica were the best of friends.
"So the kayaking place doesn't open til 2, which means you're all free to do whatever you want before then"
"We're not hanging out together?" I asked confused. We all looked at him. It was strange not to be together with him on his birthday celebration. It was a reunion-tradition of sorts.
"Actually, there's some place that I'd like to show Nicole" he said while sharing a smile with said girlfriend.
"Oh yea that's totally okay. I mean not that you need my permission-"
"Sorry Monica" Nicole gave me an apologetic look.
"We'll see you guys later okay?" David glanced at me. Why were they both acting that way towards me? If they wanna spend some time together that isn't any of my business.
"Just go on your date already. We got some things to do" Jared slung his arm around my shoulder. The two of them looked at Jared for a moment then gave us a smile before running off. There was something in the way he phrased his statement that made my cheeks burn red.
"Some things to do huh" Stacy piped in. Ellie and Stacy were sharing the same evil smile. I used this opportunity to duck under his arm and stepped aside to give myself some space away from him. The sun wasn't out yet but I was really burning up from their innuendos.
"What are you guys going to do?" Jessica questioned.
"Come on Jess, apparently they got some things to do" Ellie grinned and dragged a confused Jessica under her arm. Stacy winked at Jared then followed after the two girls.
"Well...That was something else" I laughed even though I wanted nothing more to do but bury myself.
"I wasn't kidding though. There's this place that I know you'll love" he grinned. I noticed then that he had a dimple on his right cheek. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
I crossed my arms over my chest.
"And what exactly do I love?" I asked with a smirk. He looked down at me and a flash of amusement circled in his eyes. He stepped towards me, closing the distance that I had previously created.
"Definitely not this" he murmured. My eyes widened at how close his lips were to mine. My heart was threatening to burst, but I gulped and kept my ground.
"Are you sure?" I dared to ask while eyeing his lips, though it came out as barely a whisper.
"Yep" he said, popping the "p". He backed away smiling victoriously, and I let out a nervous breath that I had been holding. I glared at him, not liking that he messed with me even though I practically set myself up.
"In all seriousness...It's a gut feeling" He ran his hand through his brown hair. Again my eyes latched onto his. They were just so pretty.
"Well I guess we won't know til we check" I said then turned around and began to walk away.
"Um Monica" I stopped when I realized that I was supposed to be following him.
"Shut up" I blushed.
"Here. May I?" He asked as he intertwined his hand with my own. I felt my body heat up at his touch and I was incredibly worried when I felt my hand become sweaty. I was silent the whole way and couldn't stop staring at our hands and him. Is he real?
"Monica you have a little bit of-what are you doing?" I dropped my hand behind my back. He began to laugh at me. I assumed that I was drooling and tried to wipe my mouth, which was why he was laughing his butt off at me. I also noticed that he was still holding my hand, which strangely made me happy despite my current annoyance.
"Are you done?" I sighed. I placed my free hand on my hip.
He glanced at me then began to laugh some more. I rolled my eyes under my shades.
"Jared. Hey Jared. Nope okay" I sat down on the floor. I took of my glasses and hooked them on my shirt. It wasn't that funny.
"It actually was hilarious" he wiped his eyes.
"Seriously! Tears?!"
"Okay I'm good"
"Are you sure?" I pouted.
"Yep" I smiled at his response. Just as I was about to stand up, he scooped me up and held me in front of his chest.
"Jared! What are you doing?! Put me down!" I giggled.
"I'm carrying you duh"
"Shutup smartass"
"Make me"
I did something I never in my life would have had the metaphorical balls to do. I kissed him. I froze the moment I did it. But his lips were so soft and he kissed me back and before I knew it I was backed up against one of the rocks we were climbing with my legs wrapped around his waist and my fingers entangled in his hair. His chest was pressed up against my own and his arms were resting against the wall, right beside my face and his hands were gripping my hair. I have never done something so promiscuous in my life. It was uplifting in a way (pun totally intended). His kisses were passionate yet loving and I felt myself melting in his arms. I didn't want it to end, but of course we had to catch our breaths. I always seen it in movies and shows, when the guy rests forehead against the girl's and I swear to you it brought me the same butterflies if not more when Jared did it to me. I think I died when he gave me this specific smile when he looked down at me and playfully kissed my lips. But then realization dawned on me at what had just happened and the magic of it all slipped away.
"I am so sorry" I said as I stepped on the ground.
"What do you mean?" Jared asked confused.
"I-I just can't. Oh I am so sorry. Shit" What are you saying? I was so nervous that I began rambling apologies and attempting to fix my hair. I even tried fixing his hair, which was horrible and stupid of me and kind of funny since he was around 6'6" and I was stepping on my tippie toes. Oh but the important thing was that he immediately shut me up with a kiss. Which, by the way, was kind of infuriating but I definitely am not complaining.
"You good?" He asked with a slight chuckle.
"I'm good" I smiled with my heart beating in my chest.
"Are you sure?" He brushed away a strand of my hair.
"Yep" I mimicked him with a giggle. He chuckled then kissed my forehead.
"You're fucking weird Monica" he shook his head.
"But you're not running away" I smiled triumphantly.
"I won't....yet-Ow!" I punched his arm.
