Friends A to Z

Dear Friend B?

Althea hits her head against the wall lightly. She stays like this, her head leaning against the wall. The day was tiring, with the call from her mom and not being able to pay much attention in class. Everything was falling out of her grasp. She tries not to let the worry go to her head, but it was getting more difficult with each passing second. Althea hears the door open and close, but does not bother moving from her spot. She continues to stand in her spot as if she were a tiny insect. She listens to the jingling of keys and the squeaking of soccer sneakers against the wooden floor. Noisy rustling plastic bags join the noise created by the owner. The keys hit a hard surface as the clang against glass, Althea assumes the coffee table.

Althea hears the footsteps come closer and closer. Then they stop as soon as they reach her, "Alright, what's up?" She hears William's voice.

"I don't want to talk about it right now," She says. She does not turn to look at him and stays in the position that she is in against the wall. 

"Fine then," She hears him turn away. "Just so you know, I bought you that gelato that you like so much."

At those words, Althea pops straight up. In a few seconds, she is clinging to Will's arm leaning her head on his shoulder, "I knew you loved me. What kind did you get me?"

William stops and looks down at Althea He gives her a semi-serious look, "I'm not going to tell. You have to tell me what's wrong first before you get any." 

"That's a low blow." She pouts playfully pursing her lips, "Coercing me with gelato. Shame, Will shame." She reaches for the plastic Walmart bag in his hand, but he moves it away.

"Nope, none for you and now I'm cooking tonight." 

Althea recoils and fakes gagging. Will was a man of many talents. Cooking was not one of them, and Althea was convinced it never would be.

"Now that's just cruel and unusual punishment." She crosses her arms. "I'm still not telling you." She announces stubbornly.

William frowns at this, but does not push her to say anything, feeling she'll talk when she's ready. "I'm still cooking, since you hate it so much." He sticks out his tongue.

                ********************************************

Althea sits in the living room on the couch. She regrets conceding to William in cooking as she hears the clinging of pots and pans in the kitchen. She sets her phone close to her ready call 911 if anything were to happen. She starts to write. 

Dear Friend B,

Althea stops writing when she realizes that she didn't have a friend who had a name that starts with the letter B. She sighs wondering how the rest of this would work. She does the only thing she can think of, she cheats using her brother instead. 

Hey Brother. How is your 'rap career' coming? (If you're still trying for this in the future) Seriously, stick with math though, maybe get into computer science. (Please, let this future happen). You have always been good at those kind of things. You're a genius and a hell of a lot smarter than me. You can do whatever you like, I'll support you in whatever you do. I just want the best for you. However, by the time I'm dead, you better had found yourself steady career. Also, instead of hating on my boyfriend and scoffing in disapproval every time I mention him, why don't you get a girlfriend or something (Mom wants grandkids, you give them to her) you're acting like those single spiteful people that just hate on couples because they can't find a suitable partner.  

And I went off on a tangent because of you. Even writing a letter  I can't be serious when talking to you. I don't think I have to be, not to the person who's stuck up for me  since well birth. You already know everything, I've told you and you're probably the only person I don't have to worry about after I'm gone. I just have something to ask of you, that I can't ask of anyone else. Or even speak of to anyone else. Just in case anyone finds this letter and reads it before you, I put it in code form. That and it's kind of embarrassing. You'll get it, at least you better get it.

When I fall asleep, can you bring the one footed rabbit to sleep with me?

Love your perfect little sister, Althea

"Yes," She cheers putting the paper down as she finishes writing. She stands up and comes in contact with a foul odor. She sees black smoke coming from the kitchen and quickly covers her nose and mouth with her sleeve. She uses her other arm to fan away the smoke as she makes her way to the kitchen. She gives Will a look as he throws an unidentifiable charred object in the trash can. He coughs from the smoke trying to fan it from around him 

"You know what? I'm feeling takeout tonight." Will says turning around and pulling out his phone nervously. He doesn't look Althea in the eye. 

"Mhmm," Althea shakes her head taking the phone from his hand. "You're paying this time."

"Well, at least we know we need a new smoke detector." He coughs out. Althea pats his back leading him out of the kitchen.