Frenemies ✔

Chapter 11

"Who was that?" Rocky asked, passing a slow-moving car.

"It was Robbie, I think," I replied. I still felt annoyed. "It sounded like his voice, anyway."

"Robbie? I haven't heard from him in a little while," Tori said. "What did he say?"

"Nothing. He just whispered...things."

"Yeah, like what?"

"Nothing, just...'you better watch yourself', 'I'm watching you.' Stupid stuff like that."

"See? What I'd tell you? He's a creep," Rocky said. "There's no need to apologize to Robbie. You did what you were supposed to."

I nodded. "I know."

I looked out the window.

I'm watching you? Watch yourself? What did he mean? I thought.

These thoughts raced through my mind. I was feeling a little intimidated by them, but I thought maybe he was trying to scare me. Make me feel sorry for breaking the whole friendship thing off. I tried shoving them way into the crevices of my mind. I didn't want to think about them. But I couldn't get my mind off them.

"Why would he even say that?" Tori asked.

I shrugged. "Beats me, but let's not talk about it right now. I don't wanna talk about Robbie."

"I agree. A weirdo like him doesn't deserve two minutes of fame," Rocky replied, exiting off of State Road 54 and turning right to continue.

Up ahead, we saw a bp gas station. She slowed the car down and pulled into one of the gas pumps.

"I gotta fill up the tank. I'm low on gas," Rocky said as she pulled out sixty bucks. "And I know if I don't get this puppy filled up before I get home..." she tapped the dashboard with her finger. "...my parents will throttle me. So, I'll be right back."

"Okay," I said.

She got out of the car and walked inside the gas station. In the meantime, I was lost in thought.

What's Robbie planning now? How was he intending on paying me back exactly? Prank calls? Ruin my driveway like we ruined Evan's?

I wasn't certain, but I couldn't help it. I couldn't help pondering these things. If I only I'd known that this was the beginning of Robbie's idea of payback...

"Ava," a voice invaded my thoughts.

I gasped.

"Sweetie, are you okay? You seem dazed," Tori asked, resting her chin on the head restraint.

"Oh, it's you. Yeah, I'm all right. Just thinking, that's all," I replied.

"Oh. What about?"

"Um, well—"

Before I could finish, Rocky already came back with a white bag in her hand.

"Okay, girls, we're good. If y'all are hungry, I got a bag of Doritos. They're the Dinamita flavor."

"Mm, yummy," Tori said.

She leaned over and reached for some. I grabbed a few chips from the bag, but I never got around to eating them. The whole ride home I was completely absent.

"Earth to Ava," Rocky's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Anybody there?"

"Mm?" I blinked at both of them.

Tori and Rocky cracked up.

"Are you in la-la land or something? You're home, I'm dropping you off."