A Subs Life (Story 1) ✔️

3-Cruelness & Kindness

~Caroline~

"That man is such a stook." Olivia said the next day as we sat in a tiny coffee shop uptown. We came here a lot, to study, gossip and have coffee. 'That man' being our Cognitive psych professor. "They want us to plan a fucking event to help the school but refuse to give us a day more on a paper!" Liv was very aggrieved with the professors decision to give her extra time. Her face had been bright red as we left the school and it still was now. A couple of the coffee shop patrons had looked over at her sudden outburst.

"It's collage Liv, you know they don't care how much is going on in our lives." I responded and took a sip of the steamy tea. She was so dramatic and I loved that about her.

"Agh, I know, I know." She said gathering her wits and become more tranquil by the second. I knew she would still get a perfect score, like I said she is just dramatic. "So, Jimmy's paintings are going to be exhibited next week and he has asked me to invite you and Sol. Would you come?" Liv asked me when her pale skin color came back into her cheeks. Ah, Jimmy, her beau. He was an 'artist'  up and coming.

"I would love to. I'll see if Sol is free." I promised. Liv and I sat there for thirty more minutes as she went on and on about Jimmy's exhibition. She thought I gave all my time to Sol? I loved her but she really should be checking her own laundry basket.

Finally I  suggested we go to salon for a mani/pedi. I didn't have anything to do and I was certain Sol wouldn't be home for hours. 'Definitely do the red garnish.' Liv suggested as we took ages choosing our colors. As both toes and nails dried I felt my phone vibrating in my purse and frowned.

"Shit!" whispered harshly as I tried to avoid ruining the fresh polish and dig at the same time. Just my luck, it was all the way at the bottom. Finally I retrieved the damn device and seen that I had several missed calls. One from my mother, another from the massage parlor and four from Sol. Recent ones. Immediately I dialed him back as I cursed myself for not turning the volume up after classes.

"Where are you, Caroline?" I couldn't help but notice the dreadful feeling inside as my stomach sank. He was displeased and upset, I could tell by his tone. Suddenly a million different ideas ran rampant through my brain. Had I forgotten to turn the coffee off, or lock the door, or clean last nights dishes-please none of those were serious...tsk tsk tsk.

"I'm with Olivia. We are having coffee." Because telling him I was pampering my friend and I probably wouldn't be a good idea. Neither would lying...

"Did you forget we had plans this afternoon?" Sol asked. Had we made plans? "You did, I told you to pencil it in." He said not ten seconds later as I raked my memory to no avail. "My parents are here with Christopher, for his birthday. We planned to give gifts and have cake. Tell me you did not forget to order a cake, Caroline?"

Well fuck me and not in a good way. I closed my eyes briefly and silently cursed myself. We did have plans to celebrate his sons sixth birthday.  "Yes, I did forget, I'm sor-"

"I don't want your apology." He said and the line went dead.

"Shit. Excuse me-Ma'am, can you please turn these dryers up." I waved the Nailist over and as rude as I sounded I didn't care.

"Is everything alright?"

"I forgot that today is Christopher's birthday. I forgot a cake and a gift. I'm late-Ma'am." The lady was already walking over but I needed my urgency to be known.

"Uh-oh, naughty, naughty." Liv winked at me. Glad she was getting her humor from this. For the next two minutes I shook my leg impatiently before  slipping my four inch pumps back on. "I'll take a cab back to University." She said as I stood up and grabbed my things.