Strange Tides

7.

          

Pray You Catch Me - Beyonce

I waited for her, the traitor, for what seemed like an eternity.

She was always late wherever she went, but she made up for it with quality time. She came late, she left late. That's how it had always been.

As I sat down I calculated everything I wanted to say to her. I had the meat of the sandwich, but I had no idea how to assemble it together. God, I was hungry, I almost ate without her, but then I'd end up staring at her while she ate. That was awkward, for her.

I sat around longer, gathering more meat, but not enough bread and came to the conclusion that I should just order without her. As if cued by the waiter she appeared as she was signalled.

"Hey hoe!" This was how we spoke to each other and even though it was how most people communicated we still earned a few bewildered stares from around us.

"Hey whore, how did you manage to keep your legs closed for long enough to get her?" Unknowingly some bitterness had slipped into my voice, but she just laughed off the insult.

"It was been a while."

"Since you had sex? Oh I find that hard to believe."

Now she looked up at me with slight shock in her eyes, but I smirked at her, mentally telling her to drop it. This was just how we spoke to each other, through insults. If we insulted each other it would soften the blows of actual insults. It would strengthen our minds so that when the time for insulting actually came, we'd bother be ready independently.

She continued to look.

"You know I'm trying to give up that lifestyle."

"What, did you relapse?"

"No." she snapped, "It would be nice if you had a little faith in me. You are the one who inspired me to do this."

Her words softened my heart and I regretted my stance.

"Hey, I'm sorry about that, I'm just hungry; I haven't eaten all day."

"It's fine, I wasn't even offended." She said staring into her menu, stifling an emotion I could not decipher.

"So what's up with you?"

"Oh, I've been tanning my skin; you see tan is the new black."

"Ok hold up, Kylie, don't you think that's a tad racist?" I teased.

"Oh hush, I can't help that black is amazing." She said, meaning a lot more than what she said. "Everyone wants to be black and honestly, I can't blame them. Look at this pasty skin! I blind people whenever I go to the beach! The only reason I go indoors or cover up is because my skin starts to redden."

I had to laugh, for it was a ridiculous thought, but she stayed reserved.

"Oh yeah, it's real funny when you're not the one suffering." She said quietly. I couldn't always tell when she was joking. Her tone was difficult to read. She was truly unlike anyone I'd ever known.

"Emily, you're beautiful the way you are. Pale skin looks good on you and on many people. It's a beautiful combination. Look at Lauren Jauregui! If you tan too much, you might just end up looking like a walking carrot! One of those celebrities who take tanning booth naps! You don't want to turn into an orange crayon, do you?"

"Oh I know I'm beautiful, but there's no such thing as too much beauty." She winked at me, but when she continued flirting with me visually I know I was not the intended target. "Plus there's no way I'll let myself reach the Oros Man's level. I know my limits, I won't lose control."