First Time

Just the way you are

Chapter 23: Just the way you are

"That covers that," Toni said, flapping the bill in her hand as if it were a fan. She looked at Vic expectantly. "Where are we off to next?"

He blinked. "What are you looking at me for?"

"Cause you're the one who invited us all out," reminded Raven.

"Oh man, don't tell me this was your only idea," Roy shook his head, disappointed. "Some celebration."

"Relax guys, I know the perfect place to go," Gar announced proudly, sporting a grin.

"Don't even think about saying the arcade," Jade warned, causing Gar to falter.

"We should do something Karen would enjoy," Kori suggested.

"We could go bowling," said Alain. "Last time we went she wouldn't stop bragging about her perfect score."

"That sounds like fun, but let's see what Karen thinks first," Joey advised.

"What's taking her so long anyway?" Isaiah complained. "Someone should go tell her to hurry up."

"Relax, I'll get her," Vic volunteered, standing to his feet. "I have to use the can anyway."

"Dude, don't announce it when my girlfriend's at the table," complained Gar, throwing a rolled up napkin at Vic's head. "Have some manners."

Vic chose not to reply and continued on his way. When he got to the restrooms he raised a fist to knock on the women's door, but paused when a strange sound reached his ear. The noise was unpleasant, and to him it sounded like if someone was sick. Concerned, he knocked.

"Hello? Is everything okay in there?" he called out, but to no response. He heard the sound of feet shuffling and the flush of a toilet. He knocked again. "Hello? Karen, is that you? Answer me."

The door was abruptly opened, revealing Karen. "What do you want?!"

He held up his hands innocently. "Hey, relax. I just came to tell you everyone's ready to go."

"Oh... Okay," she nodded in understanding and walked past him, her gaze lowered. She wasn't expecting his hand to reach out and take hold of her wrist.

"Wait a minute. Is everything okay? It sounded like you were throwing up in there. Did the food make you sick or something?"

She roughly pulled her arm away from him. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" he persisted. "Because if you're not-"

"Just bug off okay! What a girl does in the bathroom is none of your business!"

"Okay, okay! I'm sorry. Forget I asked," he turned towards the men's room, his hand on the door.

"Wait a minute," Karen insisted, and he hindered his movements, turning only his head to look at her. She didn't meet his eyes and awkwardly rubbed her arm up and down. "I'm sorry for snapping at you. But I really am okay. So don't say anything to the others. I don't want them to worry unnecessarily."

He nodded, though unconvinced, and kept his eyes on her as she walked away. He wondered... what caused her sudden shift in behavior?

TT

The rest of the night continued without any hindrances, though Vic couldn't help but keep his eyes on Karen to see if she would behave abnormally again. It was obvious to him that those sounds he heard from the bathroom came from her, he was sure of it, especially since he had noticed that she was chewing gum often. But why would she lie about throwing up? Was it because she was worried she would ruin everybody's night? No, that couldn't be it Vic deduced. Perhaps it was all just a strange part of being a woman? Whatever the reason, Vic didn't want to think about it anymore as he arrived home. Walking into the foyer he was able to see his mother sitting in the living room with the television on. He decided to go over to her before heading upstairs to bed.