Just Between Us #Wattys2019

On Wednesdays We Give Second Chances

"Get in, get in, get in!!" I yelled at Bennet, who came in the house with her arms raised as if she were surrendering.

"God, what's the rush?" She asked.

"Everest has something she would like to share with us," Cleo said, in a civilized manner. "Finn and I have discussed it, and we think it's something that rhymes with her getting "baid."

Bennet laughed, and Finn came out of the kitchen laughing too, holding the already prepared popcorn.

Harley walked out of the kitchen right after Finn, holding a soda.

"Sit down, guys! Hurry, hurry!" I commanded. They all sat.

"Guys, there's actually something I want to say." Cleo said.

I looked around. "Where's Arcadia??"

"She can't come tonight," Harley said. "Her little brother has a thing and she needs to be there to help him."

"Oh! How is--" Bennet tried.

"No time for small talk!" I interrupted.

"Jeez, we better let Everest speak before she blows the hell up," Finn said.

"Guys--"Cleo attempted.

"I think you'll like tonight's story." I said.

"Stop this mystery, already!" Harley begged.

I giggled. What could I say? I was a writer; not building up the mystery before telling a story would be like skipping the intro and going straight to the climax. A deadlier sin than murder, on my book.

Ding Dong! The doorbell yelled, and we looked at each other.

I stood up to go get it. "Felicity? Benjamin?" I asked them, as I walked towards the door. They all shrugged. I opened the door.

"Hi! I'm Ivy." The girl with long, straight, pink hair introduced herself. She stood out her arm for a handshake, which I ignored and proceeded to look at the girls looking for answers.

Cleo stood up and and quickly walked to the front door. "Hey, Ivy. Come on in." She said, smiling.

The girl clutched her purse, that crossed her chest, nervously.

Cleo gave her Arcadia's seat.

"Guys, this is Ivy. I met her at the uni the other day. She does photography."

"I didn't know we were having a guest." I said.

"You didn't give me a chance to say anything." Cleo said, over-pronouncing each word. Wanting me to play nice.

"Welcome, Ivy. Now Everest, tell us the damn story." Finn said.

I remembered it and sat straight on my chair and cleared my throat. "Alright. You guys remember Baby, right?"

"What?? You met him again?" Cleo asked, anxiously. Her smile growing at a rapid pace.

"Baby?" Ivy whispered to Cleo, smiling too, trying to understand what was going on.

Cleo glowed. "It's her mystery guy. She met him last week at the art museum and—"

"Cleo, you can tell her all about the previous six years worth of stories some other time." I told her, annoyed. Cleo's smiled transformed into a whisper of an apology to Ivy. I went on with my story.

"My interview was on Monday." I told them. "I wore that super cute outfit with the navy green pencil skirt and the white blouse. Very professional. I had a list of questions prepared, too, of coarse."