Midnight Message

Chapter 21 - Café conversations

'Lover boy kissed you!' Emily squeals.

Gemma rolls her eyes and pushes her fork into the chocolate brownie in the centre of the table.

'It was more like a peck.' Gemma answers. 'And for the last time, don't call him lover boy!'

'Don't even try your 'I'm not interested act' on me' Emily says. 'I'm your best friend. I knew when you were secretly crushing on Rodney Harris in Year 8.'

Gemma rolls her eyes but Emily pretends not to notice.

'I knew when you were feeling sick with guilt in Year 9 because you accidently walked out of that shop with a packet of pens in your hands. You TOLD me how you snuck the packet back into the shop and put it back on the shelf along with an EXTRA packet of pens from home to 'make up' for accidently taking the first packet.'

Gemma shudders at the memory. She still feels guilty when she remembers how she returned home and realised she hadn't paid for the packet of pens in her hand. She hadn't told ANYONE what she had done. Except Emily. Emily had known almost straight away that Gemma was worried about something and hadn't stopped pestering her until Gemma told her what was bothering her.

Emily pauses before continuing. She speaks more quietly now, conveying her feelings of care for Gemma 'I know about your night with Alex.'

Gemma feels like she has been punched in the stomach. Alex. The necklace... Her decision to go with Alex that night was the single biggest regret in Gemma's life. I was such an idiot.

Emily's hand comes to rest on top of Gemma's hand, bringing her back to the present. She looks around the small Café before looking her best friend in the eye. Emily is staring back at her.

'Sorry for bringing the King of all Jerks into this conversation but let's face it, I'm pretty sure you won that battle.' Emily says.

Gemma smirks. Safe to say Alex won't be reproducing anytime soon. My well aimed kick had him rolling on the beach in agony.

Seeing her best friend smirk Emily realises it is safe to continue. 'Don't you get it Gemma? I know you so well. Better than almost anyone. And I KNOW you have feelings for Lover Boy. Admit it, you think he's hot!'

Gemma sighs 'I didn't say he wasn't physically good looking....he does have certain qualities that I may or may not find mildly attractive...'

'Puh-lease' says Emily, her arms waving dramatically as she speaks 'He's got six pack abs, footy player muscles, a face to die for, sexy blond hair and from what I hear his lips are....'

'Okay okay!' Gemma shouts, stopping Emily's no doubt detailed description of Trent's lips. 'You win. I think he's hot! I wanted to run my hands through his hair and kiss him back on the rooftop.'

'I knew it!' Emily shouts triumphantly. 'So call him. Arrange a meeting. Finish your hot and steamy make out session.'

Gemma rolls her eyes. 'You are way too excited about this' she says drily.

'Call me Cupid.' Emily replies.

'Ok Cupid' Gemma says, placing sarcastic emphasis on Emily's self-proclaimed new name. 'I'll have you know, I have arranged to see him again. I'm going to watch the North Ballarat VFL team train on Thursday with Frank.'

'Yes!' Emily practically screams. 'Love is in the air!'

'Not quite.' Gemma replies. 'He may be hot, but he's also arrogant. And conceited. And egotistical. And...'

'Ok, ok' Emily interrupts. 'I get it. He's a bad boy. But bad boys are hot! You're going to kiss him on Thursday right?'

Gemma thinks about Emily's question. I want to. The way his lips lightly touched mine made me wish he would keep me pushed against that wall. He left me wanting more....

Gemma is conscious of the butterflies in her stomach. She looks up warily at Emily. Her best friend knows her so well. Can she read my thoughts? Gemma's cheeks flush in embarrassment. She can't admit to anyone, not even Emily, how she feels about Trent Caldwell. One minute he's a self-absorbed superstar. But then there are glimpses of something else. Like when he helped me with ideas for my contemporary issues essay. He's also funny and intelligent and witty. And hot. Far out he's hot! But he knows it. He's so cocky. Argh!

Gemma looks at Emily, who is staring at her expectantly.

'Maybe I will' Gemma says. Trying to sound confident and also trying to get her best friend off her back.

'You go girl!' Emily cries in delight. Several people in the café look towards her in surprise. Emily is waving her arms around as if she is holding on to pom poms. 'Go Gemma. Go Gemma.'

Gemma laughs and pulls Emily back into her seat. As she does, she feels her phone buzz in her pocket.

'Speaking of the arrogant jerk....' Gemma says as she glances at her phone screen.

Before she has a chance to read the message that Trent has just sent, her phone is snatched out of her hands by Emily.

A confused look passes over Emily's face as she reads the message. 'What prank?' she asks.

'If you kindly give me back my phone, maybe I'll tell you' Gemma says. She's curious to see what Trent has written. She hopes his frustration at her prank has been eating away at him all day. Hopefully it takes him down a peg or two and I can gain back some respect. After all, much as I hate to admit it, he was right. He won on the rooftop. He had all the control.

Emily hands the phone back to Gemma, who quickly scans the message.

Technology is great. I've been able to block all the horny guys that have texted me so the messages have stopped. Your cute little prank is over.

Gemma is disappointed, but not completely disheartened. Her prank had seriously irritated Trent. It had also proved that she could fight back. Encouraged by this thought Gemma types her reply.

That was only round 1. You're not the only one who likes to win. Watch your back Ego Boy.

Her phone buzzes almost immediately.

I love it when you get feisty, Gemma. But my statement still stands: Face to face, I'll beat you every time baby girl.

'What prank?!' Emily says. Gemma pulls her eyes away from Trent's message. She glances at the time on her phone.

'You have to get back to work.' Gemma replies. 'I'll walk over to the pharmacy with you and explain while we walk.'

'Are you sure?' Says Emily. 'You can call me tonight with all the, no doubt scandalous, details of this alleged 'prank'. The suspense will keep me going during my shift at work.'

Gemma laughs. The girls pay for their drinks and brownie and push open the door to the café. 'I don't mind walking.' Says Gemma. 'Besides, I actually need to buy something at the pharmacy.' Gemma adds cryptically.

This comment is too much for Emily. She looks like she is about to burst with excitement. 'Ok, the suspense is killing me. You have to explain all this to me now!' she squeals.

'Ok.' Gemma says as the girls start to walk. 'First things first: I take back my earlier comment. I will not be kissing Trent Caldwell.'

Emily emits a disappointed groan. 'Gemmmmaaa' she whines.

Gemma just plasters a determined look on her face and replies 'I have a game to win.'