My Controversial Secret

Chapter 26: Lake Fun

Four days in, three more to go, the summer in the outskirts was going smoother than Jenna realized. With the sun in it's peak during the afternoon and chilly during the evening, the mood swings of the weather made it fun. 

Jenna and Del so far have toured the town on foot. Bought cowboy boots and replaced their city sneakers; Dyed their hair a fun shade of pink (Jenna) and Green (Delilah). Got temporary tattoos at places only intimacy can reveal. Met with the locals and spent their evening drinking beers from the pint and dancing along to Keith Urban. Even rode a mechanical bull for a whole thirty-four seconds, Del's word before they collapsed on the front porch swing watching sunset for the hundredth time.

During this entire time, Jenna's phone kept ringing with David's missed messages and calls. It seems like she isn't the only person missing him. At first it was his request to video call him and talk which she ignored. The second came with a text asking how she is and what she is up to. By the time the third message rolled and another missed call marked her screen, David has gotten impatient. And furious. 

Jenna didn't know what to do. Though she knows Jerry wouldn't be watching her at her parent's place, she can't stop thinking about the what-ifs. What if he followed her here? The persistence of Jerry to get something isn't something to be taken lightly. She knows this too well. His addiction wasn't only his morgue. It was Jenna's too breaking something inside her, replacing it with morbidity. 

Pushing David isn't a solution but ignoring Jerry's warning isn't wise as well. Until she finds a cure to this problem putting both of them at an arm's distance is advisable. However, David's impatience would be hard to fight. 

Tucking a curl behind her ear, she looks at the beautiful sunset in front of her. Eyes softening at the purple, pink, and orange palate of the sky. 

"Why are sunsets so beautiful?" Del said from beside her. Knees pulled to her chest, hair flowing against the summer breeze. "The colors, the smell. Always sweet and romantic. Why is it like this?" 

"Maybe it's god's way of saying the ending doesn't have to be bad. The day is finally coming to an end so let's celebrate it with colors?" she turns to her friend. The same coral eyes as David reflected to her. Tugging her heart. "Have I said your eyes are beautiful?"

Del giggled, "You sound romantic. What happened?"

Jenna swats her arm, smiling. "Nothing just feels like we're in a movie,"

"Watching the sunset from your porch swing or the flirting?"

"Shut up," 

Del scooped an arm around her elbow. "Gotta tell you. Feels good to be at the receiving end of one of your rare playful flirts. It gets boring sometimes when only I tease you. Keep doing it. Never stop,"

Jenna slowly tips her head to her friend. Watching her. "Never? You want to be my friend forever?"

"Of course. We're close to completing half a decade. I want more such half decades with you until it's a full decade. Why? You don't want me?"

"You know the answer to that question,"

"Damn right, I do. No one can resist being friends with me,"

Jenna laughed. Loving the warmth of her friendship. Resting her cheek against her head she said. "What if I make a mistake? A big one that ends up hurting both of us but you more? Would you still be my friend?"

"Hmm," Del taps her pointer finger on her chin. Eyes glued to the sky. "That depends on the mistake. Big or small doesn't matter. If it hurt me I would take the time to grieve. Some space to process my thoughts that's for sure. But broken friendship with you? I don't wanna do that," she pulls away from her and cups her cheek, "So make sure you never make a mistake that'll hurt me ever. All right? I don't think I can cope with the hurt if it's by you."