Party Boy

Plans and Planes

Another week went by. The weather grew colder and the days grew shorter. It was my last week of school before winter break.

While I was sitting in my room, my phone rang, which didn't happen very often. I picked it up to see it was an unfamiliar number. Usually, I would ignore it; I hate talking on the phone even when I do know the caller. But after spending more and more time with Nico, I was slowly beginning to step outside of my comfort zone. I answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hello! Is this Avery? Ava? Which do you prefer?"

"Um, yes, this is she. And, either is fine. Who is this..?"

"Oh, Ava is a gorgeous name! This is Elaine, your father's fiancee! How are you, dear?" Everything she said was dripping with seemingly false enthusiasm. The slight, slight hope that I had of liking her was dwindling quickly.

"I-I'm fine. Do... you need something?"

"Do you have any plans next weekend?" she asked, still managing to sound thrilled with such a mundane question.

"No, nothing. Why?"

"I want you to fly out here! We're choosing bridesmaid dresses!" She was exclaiming every sentence. Every. Single. Sentence.

"Oh..." I replied. I had almost forgotten I had agreed to participate in my father's wedding.

"Is something wrong, darling?" Those pet names were going to drive me crazy.

"No, no, of course not," I lied. I wanted nothing more than to get myself out of this, but I knew it was too late to back out now. "Just, how will I get there?"

"No need to worry, your father and I will buy you a plane ticket for a round trip! Two, actually! Bring a friend!"

"Oh, um, I don't really have any friends I could take..." I told her. I thought about how much Lyn would have loved to take a trip to California and look at dresses with me. Briefly, I felt guilty for letting our friendship fall apart, but I reminded myself that she and Lila hadn't done anything to keep it together either.

"Surely you have one!"

"I'm only close with one person, but-"

"Take them!"

"I-I can't."

"Why ever not?"

"Uh, they're a boy."

Elaine laughed as if I had told a hysterical joke. "Oh, sweetie, you are adorable! You can bring him! Your dad may be a little wary of him, but I'll make sure he doesn't bother you about it too much!"

"Well, I don't think my mom would be okay with me traveling across the country with a boy, so-"

"Don't worry! I'll talk to her! This will be wonderful, girly! And I can't wait to meet your boyfriend!"

"We're just friends," I corrected her.

She had a fit of giggles. "Alright, hon. I'll see you in a week!!"

"Yeah, see you," I said, emotionless. If only I could sound as excited as she seemed to be. "Bye."

"Ciao!!" she exclaimed before hanging up.

It took a bit of time for everything to sink in. There was no way Elaine could talk my mom into letting Nico go to California with me. Which meant I would have to travel all alone. But, if she could... I don't know how I would feel. Nico was my best friend and I loved doing things with him; having him there would be so much fun. Except it would be so awkward. So awkward.