Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Eight

'I can't believe that Simon Hoult kissed you,' Sara said lying out on a lounger by the pool. 'That is like the coolest thing ever.'

'Hmm,' Esme said. 'I don't know.'

'You must be so psyched,' Sara grinned. 'I'm so jealous that nothing remotely interesting ever happens to me.'

'It wasn't exactly interesting,' Esme replied. 'I told Taylor and he wasn't too thrilled either.'

'Are you guys still okay?' Sara asked looking at her friend worried.

'The last time something like this happened, Taylor and I broke up,' Esme replied. 'I really don't want to break up again.'

'Taylor'll be cool,' Sara replied. 'I mean it's not like you kissed Simon back or anything. I mean, you didn't even know he was Simon Hoult.'

Esme bit her bottom lip. 'I just want to get home and talk to Taylor face to face.'

'You told him,' Sara said. 'That's better than not telling him and him finding out later. You did the only thing you could.'

'Taylor and I haven't exactly been the most loved up couple lately,' Esme replied. 'We're not having major problems or anything, but I know that something is up.'

'Do you think he could have cheated?'

'Sara,' Esme said. 'You can't say things like that.'

'Why not?' Sara asked. 'I was only asking you a question. You don't have to answer it if you don't want to.'

Esme sighed. 'We've just not been being ourselves. I don't think he would cheat on me.'

'Have you talked to him about it?'

'No,' Esme replied. 'I think it's because of what happened with E and he had to be there, but I don't know.'

'I think Taylor did that for you,' Sara said. 'He really likes you.'

'Yeah,' Esme shrugged. 'I know how that put some pressure on him.'

'How do you mean?'

Esme shook her head. 'He couldn't run his store as he would have liked to,' Esme said. 'He had to leave it with his employees and partner. I know that he wanted to be there instead.'

'You worry way too much,' Sara said finally. 'Just calm down and take a deep breath.'

Esme took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

'So are you bummed that Simon's gone?'

'No,' Esme replied. 'I feel just fine about it.'

'What was he like?'

'Funny, normal,' Esme replied. 'He was just like a regular guy.'

'I can't believe that you didn't recognize him,' Sara said. 'I mean his name was Simon, come on. How obvious could he get?'

'I don't know,' Esme shrugged. 'I wasn't thinking about Simon Hoult, he wasn't even on my mind.'

Sara looked at Esme for a moment. 'You are going to be no fun today.'

Esme stuck her tongue out and they laughed.