Affairs

3: Riding in Cars With Cute Football Boys

Riding in Cars With Cute Football Boys

I spent my Sunday comforting Christina. She acted tough, but I knew if I left her alone she would crumble to the ground. We spent the day watching movies, occasionally breaking to do last minute homework or make food. For the first time since school had started in September we were just enjoying each other’s company, sweatpants and makeup free. I knew tomorrow everything would go back to normal, but I would relish in today.

Halfway through When Harry Met Sally -an interesting choice, considering future events-, Christina’s phone rang. I looked at her questioningly and she mouthed, “Harry.” My breath caught in my throat and I stared at the phone as if it was a bomb. Either he was going to apologize for ditching her the night before or he was going to break up with her. I watched Christina walk up the stairs, greeting him none too warmly on the phone.

It had been about an hour and she hadn’t come back downstairs. I’d finished the movie and contemplated going upstairs or not, not really wanting to get involved in someone else’s relationship drama. Pulling me away from my thoughts, a loud thump sounded upstairs. Figuring that Christina was throwing things out of anger, I rushed up.

“What’s going on?” I stood in the door frame, panting slightly.

“What are you talking about?”

“I heard a thud.”

Christina laughed, “Oh, I accidentally knocked my curling iron on the ground.” It was at this point that I took in my cousin. She wore tight skinny jeans and a thin black sweater. Her dark raven hair was up in a high bun and her makeup was all done. The girl in sweatpants and a messy ponytail was no more.

The girl who had been laughing and being a dork with me all afternoon had disappeared, only to be replaced with one who thrived on looking perfect and acting like she owned the world. “Where are you going?”

“What I normally do on Sunday night. We’re going out with the other football players and their girlfriends.” She said it so condescendingly, as if I didn’t follow her life like she expected me too. It was insulting. She’d spent all day with me and was suddenly ditching me when he called her.

If only I had the backbone to tell her how I felt.

“So you talked to Harry.” It came out as a statement but I meant it as a question. What had they said to each other?

“Yeah. He said it was a lot to take in and just went home.” Liar. “So we’re all good.”

What would Christina say if she knew that he hadn’t gone home, if she knew that he’d spent the rest of the night with me, laughing and chatting. If she knew that he’d touched my dress, told me I looked good. She’d freak out. That’s why he’d conveniently left that out of their conversation.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a party to attend. Thank God I can drive again.” After getting home before curfew the night before, Christina’s parents had decided to give her driving privileges back. No one was gladder than me.

She left, leaving me to a night filled with me, myself, and I. My aunt and uncle were out for the night and I took advantage of the empty house to read ahead for English and finish some laundry. I went to bed at a respectable time and at midnight, half an hour before curfew, Christina rolled into the bedroom, slightly tipsy and very grumpy.

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At seven the next morning, when my cousin and I usually woke up, I noticed that Christina was already dressed and ready to leave. Rubbing my eyes I inquired where she was going so early.