Just my cup of tea

Tip of the spliff

Alice POV

It didn't take Clare long to send me all the information but I took my sweet time reading through it all. I was dragging this out. I couldn't deny that and deep down I knew why. It was completely ridiculous. I am literally waiting for nothing. I pathetically kept reciting this in the mirror each time I got close to finally making up my mind about applying for this job. I wish I could speak to her about it, but why? I would not get much from that conversation. Not anymore.

I gripped my pillow as I eyed out my pc. I went up to it. Opened it, paused for a second and then shut it and got my keys and left. I don't even know where I'm going right now but I needed to get out and distract my mind. I got in my car and continued down the street, absentmindedly taking turns as I played over the offer and my current work situation. I would miss Hayleigh.

I never imagined we would become so close but although we are such good friends, she still does not know about Kate. I know she must wonder why I'm never interested in meeting anyone new or why I don't ever talk about girls but one thing I could rely on is that she wont push for answers. I've seen her eyeing out my chain with Kate's ring on it with the burning question of who does it belong to. Maybe one day if i'm ever over her then I would be able to speak of her again.

*Phone rings

I pull over into a petrol station and dug my phone out my pocket, funny enough it was Hayleigh.

Hayleigh: "Hey, where are you?"

Me: "You know you're meant to wait for the other person to say hello at least."

Hayleigh: "For what? The other person on the line is you! anyway where are you?"

Me: "Urg, I'm at the petrol station close to Argyle road."

Then it dawned upon me that I've been driving along the route to where 'our log' at the beach was situated.

Me: "Why? What are you doing?"

Hayleigh: "What are you doing there? Got plans?"

Me: "Well not really I guess I'm headed to the beach. Just thought I would take a drive somewhere."

Hayleigh: "Great! I'll come meet you."

Me: "What? Now?"

Line Dead*

She cut the call, I guess she will phone when she's nearby. I made my way down to the beach and parked. I paused before jumping out. I know I drove here while not really thinking about it but I shouldn't go to the log. I could see it in the distance from the parking lot and decided to stay in the car and roll while I waited for Hayleigh. I had just finish roll when a familiar car drove into the lot and parked a few rows down. It can't be them. Not now. Why would she even bring him here? Was she here to smoke? In our spot? With him? No. Urg but even so, come on Alice you have no right to claim anything or get upset about it.

I couldn't see anything from where I parked and I felt really nervous to get out the car but I just wanted to know if it's her. I scanned the area where I had seen the car go and when it looked clear I quickly got out my car, close the door and bent down as if to tie my shoe laces. I felt ridiculous. Why was I hiding like this? I should just act normal and if I happen to see them then I happen to see them. Yeah right, who was I kidding. I popped my head up and as I did I saw his short head peering over the hood of the other cars and then I saw her. Ok so they are here but that doesn't mean she's going to smoke near our spot with him. Urg I shouldn't be making it such a big deal. I thought they would turn in my direction so I ducked down again trying to peek through the car windows.

"Aah what are you doing?"

Hayleigh's POV

Alice turned and jumped at the same time and then pulled me down too. "Sssh, just hold on." She glanced at me and then back at random cars parked a few rows down. "Why do you walk so silently," she asked. "What? You're kidding right, You're the one sneaking behind cars to...check out other cars..Alice what is going on?"

She popped her head up one more time and her face fell to the ground. She then slowly turned around and sat down on the ground leaning against the car. What could possibly have happened over there? I stood up straight and looked around, all I see is cars and a few random people standing around smoking. Wait, is that a spliff? Right here? "Alice did you see that girl smoking a spliff? I didn't think we'd be able to pull off smoking here." I didn't get a response so I looked down at her almost forgetting what just happened with her. I couldn't even tell what she was feeling, she looked angry but sad but confused all at once. "yeah I saw." She said blankly and then it clicked, she knew her somehow.

I sat down next to her and pulled out a cigarette. "I know you don't usually talk about such things but do you want to talk about it now?" She shrugged and I could see now just how much she was hiding inside. "You know her don't you?" She nodded yes. "Is she someone special to you? Your girlfriend? Or...ex?" She let out a sigh and swallowed hard. Then she absentmindedly gripped the chain around her neck. I always wandered who it belonged to and I think I just got my answer. "Did she break your heart?" She closed her eyes and I could tell she couldn't hold back the tears now. She smiled weakly as she shook her head no.

"Did you break her heart?" She shrugged again. Wow whatever happened between them must have really been something. Alice could barely speak about it. "You still love her?" She gripped my hand this time and rested her head against the car door with her eyes shut tight. "Does she know you still love her?" She loosened her grip on my hand and shook her head no. Then she opened her eyes and wiped away whatever tears made their way out. "You can love someone with everything you have in you and it can still not be enough. It's not always just about love." She got up and into the driver seat of her car and I joined her. We could see them now as they started walking along the beach. "Who's that guy? Her brother?" She looked at me as though I were dumb. "That's her boyfriend." Eeh? Didn't really look that way. "Oh, this is one hell of a story ain't it?" She let out a tired yup and I could tell the last thing she wanted was to explain everything to me. I glanced back at this girl, she wouldn't even say her name. "She's beautiful, I can see why you love her." I turned back to Alice.

"I don't love her just because she's beautiful." Alice turned to look at her. "Then?" I asked.

She thought deeply before saying anything, "Let's go now please."