Crown

CHAPTER TWO

Jayda idly packed the tip on table fifty and shoved it into the pocket of her apron and then carried the tray of empty cups and plates.

Rachel watched as the absent-minded brunette carrying a tray, walked into the store room, instead of the kitchen.

She chuckled and shook her head. She waited for Jayda to realize herself and come out of the store room which she did in the next twenty seconds.

"Why don't you just walk up the roof and drop the tray down?" Rachel teased.

"Not funny," Jayda commented, "not funny," she said again.

"It has to be funny. You are not in this world anymore. Where's your head at?"

"My head is perfectly fitted on top of my neck, thank you very much," Jayda retorted and walked into the kitchen.

"Oh, now she's been sassy," Rachel laughed.

When Rachel finally decided to follow her best friend into the kitchen, the said girl was seated on the counter in silence.
Rachel sighed and then hopped on the counter beside Jayda.

"Are you ready to talk?" She asked Jayda.

"There's nothing to say, Rachel."

"Okay…have you spoken to Star today?"

"Yes. Maybe. We should have if she returned my calls."

"Oh, so I guess that is what's making you walk into the store room for no good reason."
Jayda rolled her eyes and shoved her best friend and Rachel returned the violent action with a hug.
They stayed that way and Jayda didn't know when she started letting out all the things in her mind.

"You know, I really thought Star and I had gone past this stage of our relationship. I know sometimes — most of the time — she can really be a bitch, but I tolerate it, so why can't she tolerate me?"

"Yeah…but why did you pull away from her yesterday? You know I'm used to seeing those things and you ought not to be shy anymore, so why did you pull away?"

"Because I couldn't stand her," Jayda shrugged and Rachel stared at her shock.

“What? You — lovey dovey clingy girlfriend — can't stand Star? Since when? What happened?”

"Lately, I don't know why I do the things I do, but she…there is…I just…I don't know…God! How do I explain this? I've just been feeling an impulsive urge to push everybody away. Even her — especially her — and I know that's fucked up…but I feel like she has been taking things for granted. She says things that..." she sighed, "you know what? I don't want to talk about this because I don't even trust myself anymore and I'm scared I'm gonna fuck everything up and…it's so hard."

Rachel examined her best friend like she was a therapist talking to a patient. This was new. Jayda questioned nothing when it came to Star.
"Jayda, I think you're confused…as in really confused. So I think you need to clear your mind because I made no sense of anything you said to me."

"I know, I'm going crazy," Jayda raked her fingers through her hair.

"Don't worry, okay? You just need to calm down and take deep breaths and also talk through the issues with Star. She has no right to ignore you."

"Yeah she doesn't. And I am not going to be one to yearn for her like I'm a needy or desperate person. I have every right to hold onto my dignity and she's not taking that away from me."

"You know what? I think you really need a break, so let us close and then go for a long drive, go shopping and do all the fucking things fun and not entertain the burden of relationships."