Mr. Navas

6

Jess had texted me about an hour ago. It was about a couple nights ago.

"Oh my god! I was so drunk that night, haha. Alyssa is setting up a date with you. It's ok, don't feel bad and I mean, it's only one date. How bad could it be?"

Did she really think I couldn't get a guy? Wow, thanks for believing in me so much, Jess. I couldn't wait to tell her that I actually got myself the number I need to win the bet.

"I don't know how bad it could be and I guess I'll never know because I got his number!"
"What?!"

My phone rang and I answered.

"Kris!"
"I got his number!"
"What?! How?!"
"Well he invited-"

I told him that I wouldn't tell anyone about it... I had to make it like that night never even happened. I didn't want this going all around Manchester, so it was best if I kept my mouth shut.

"What I mean is, he invited me to the bar... Yeah, to sit next to him. He bought me a drink and at the end of the night we exchanged numbers... That's what happened..." I didn't sound very convincing.
"I don't know what to say! I can't believe it!"
"Neither can I!"
"What's his name?"
"Um... I can't say..."
"Why not?"
"Because."
"Kris, how do I know you're not lying then?"
"Just trust me on this one."
"You're lying to me, aren't you?"
"I'm not, I swear."
"If you can't give me any proof then I guess you'll just lose the bet."
"It was a stupid bet, Jess!"
"And you agreed to it! Follow through!"

I couldn't believe this right now. I couldn't believe her right now. I was fighting with my best friend. Alyssa, Jess, and I never fight. Ever. Maybe over who's going to pay for the dinner or over the hot guy on the magazine cover, but never like this. This was serious. I don't know what was happening to us.

"Jess-"
"I can't even understand why you would lie to me! Are we not close enough to be honest with each other? You know, you could've been like 'Look, Jess, I tried. It didn't work out, so I'll go on one date.' But, no. You had to lie to me to try and get out of a date with Alyssa's cousin!"
"I am not lying to you, why would I do that?"
"I don't know! I hardly know you anymore..."
"What are you saying?"
"Maybe, we're just not meant to be friends forever."
"Why?"
"Because! We hardly see each other anymore. It's not like in school, but even then, you were gone."
"It's not my fault my dad got diagnosed with cancer! Do you think I wanted that?!"
"Oh, here you go again brining you dad into this. He's fine now!"
"I realize that, but do you know how stressful that was knowing that tomorrow you may wake up without your dad?!"
"Grow up."
"Excuse me?!"
"People come and go, deal with it."
"You're being such a bitch right now."

She started laughing through the phone.

"I'm the bitch? Kris, get a life."

With that, she hung up. How did everything blow up in my face so fast. I just lost her. Maybe I could try giving Alyssa a call and maybe she could knock some sense into her. This bet wasn't the end of the world.

She eventually picked up her phone, "Kris?"
"Hey, it's me."
"What's up?"
"You know that bet..."
"I understand if you don't want to go on that date."
"See! Someone gets it!"
"What are you talking about?"
I took a deep breath and then exhaled, "Jess and I just got into a fight."
"We never fight," she said with that certain tone in her voice.
"I know... What's going on with her?"
"I don't know."
"Well, I won the bet and she won't believe me."
"Hmm..."
"What do I do?"

She didn't say anything back. I waited a few seconds and still nothing.

"Hello?"
"Sorry, Kris, I really have to go."
"Sure whatever."
"Love you, we'll talk later for sure."
"Of course we will..." I said after I ended the call.

They were the only two friends I had. We hardly ever talked, so I don't know how we can be such good friends. It's just that they're always so busy, but then again, so am I. My only other "friends" we're the people I worked with. Guess I wouldn't be seeing them anymore, since being fired.

I hadn't been working for the last few days and I could've been earning money. I need to find some sort of job soon or else I wouldn't be able to afford living here. Plus, I wasn't going to ask Jesús or anyone for help. I hated when people offered to help me. It's like they felt sorry for me and I didn't need that in my life. I wanted to prove to the world that I was capable of doing things on my own. I'm independent and don't need to depend on anyone else for anything.

It was close to dinner time, so I opened my fridge to see what I had to eat. It was almost empty. I didn't even have the money to afford groceries. I was keeping the money that I did still have for my rent. I grabbed an apple and a bottle of water and I guess that was going to be my dinner for tonight.

I sat on the couch and my conversations from earlier kept replaying in my head. Why couldn't I just tell my friends? They wouldn't tell anyone else... At least I think they wouldn't. I decided to use that number of his and talk to him.

"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Kris."
"Kristine! How are you?"
"It's Kris."
"Actually, you said it was Kristine."
"Whatever," I said, "anyway, I just got into a fight with my friend..."
"Why?"
"Because of the bet."
"It's ok, you won."
"But she doesn't believe me!"
"Oh..."
"I couldn't tell her anything that happened or who I met because I just can't!"
"Thank you."
"What?"
"Thank you for not telling her."
"Well no problem. I kept your little secret and just lost like my only friend. Yeah, so you're very welcome."
"Come on, don't be like that."

Overall, I was not in a good mood. In fact, I was quite pissed off.

"Why can't I tell them?! They won't spread it."
"I can't have anyone knowing! If this gets out, it's trouble for you and me."
I sighed, "Fine, I won't tell."

I realized that no one could know about this. There was no point in questioning him either. I knew the answer was no. I didn't want to draw all this attention to Jesús, so it was best if I kept my mouth shut.

"Thank you so much, you have no idea what that means to me."
"Yeah, yeah."
"We should meet up sometime."
"Sure," I agreed with the idea of seeing each other again.
"Your place this time?"
"Uh-"

I wasn't so keen on the idea of him coming over. I was a bit embarrassed with my place. It wasn't the best place to be living. You look at where he lives and then where I live.

"Actually, can we meet up somewhere else?"
"Anything you like. How about I come pick you up and we can go from there?"

I was still unsure because that meant knowing where I lived. The flats weren't as nice as the ones he lived in. I wanted to see him, so maybe I'd just get him to pick me up. It wasn't like I was inviting him in or anything, right?"

"I guess that's fine."
"Alright, great."
"I'll text you the address."
"Is tomorrow good?"
"Everyday good until I find somewhere to work again."
"Don't worry, you'll find a place soon."
"Thanks, bye for now."
"See you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
"Goodbye."
"Bye."