Changing Me

Chapter nine

It's been a full two days since the event at Wesley's house. I haven't called, I haven't texted, and neither has he.

I've chosen to take this time and think about what the hell is wrong with me. Today, Sadie and Anna are taking me out to lunch.

I'm going to spend some time with my girls and hopefully find a way to calm the hell down. Thinking about Wesley makes me anxious, and I'm afraid I'm gonna get an ulcer if I don't just block him out of my mind for now.

I head out the door with my hair pulled up in a high ponytail with my long sleeved grey sweater that hugs my curves, and my black tights with my black skirt on. I think I look pretty decent for a girls day. To pick me up is Sadie in her Jeep with Anna in the back seat sprawled out like a dog.

I hop in the passenger side and smile at my girls.

"Hey, so you have some explaining to do." says Sadie as she starts to pull out of my driveway. My smile quickly fades away.

Anna appears right in between both of our heads with a freaky smile on her face.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I know what you're talking about." I say looking at my two best friends, who might as well be on drugs, who the hell knows.

"Oh come on Anika. You know what." she says with that stupid little grin still glued to her lips. I turn my head to look at her, genuinely curious as to what they're talking about.

"I really have no idea." I admit and they both roll their eyes almost at the exact same time. I want to ask more, but they both become quiet leaving me with my curious thoughts.

Before long we all arrive at the restaurant. It's this little Mexican place on the corner of this outdoor mall. It always seems too busy, but today it's perfect with only a few cars parked out front.

We make our way inside and instantly the smell of fried food and tacos fill my nose. I look around and directly in front of us are the tables just like usual and surrounding the outer areas of the restaurant is where the booths are.

Our waiter, a short man with tan skin and thick, black eyebrows shows us to our booth.

"So," I say as we sit down," what's this thing I'm supposed to know about?"

They both look at each other as they sit right across from me, but I'm still as confused as ever.

"You and Wesley. Aren't you two a thing by now?" asks Sadie.

I find my shoulders starting to slump, and I look down at the table, wishing the waiter would come by and give us our chips about now.

"No, we're not." I say and thankfully the waiter comes and places the chips and salsa on the table in front of us a second too late.

"Can I get your drinks?" he asks with his lovely Hispanic accent.

"I'll have a water." I tell him as I grab a chip and dip it in the salsa. I put it in my mouth to keep from having to answer anymore of their questions.

I came here to stop thinking about him, and now he's suddenly all I'm thinking about again.

"We'll both have a water too." answers Anna for the both of them. Sadie is addicted to caffeine and we're trying to break her from it. Ordering her a water before she can choose a Pepsi, is the only way.

He leaves with a smile and it's back to just being the three of us again.

"Why aren't you guys dating but you act like it?" asks Anna and I just shake my head.

"I honestly don't know. We're honestly friends. I just.." I get quiet when I realize that I'm about to say some things out loud that I don't really want to.

"What Anika? Talk to us please. Awhile ago at the party you two seemed pretty into each other but he said you two were just friends? We just want to know what's happening." says Sadie. And this is why these two are my best friends. I spill my guts to them every time. About whatever is bugging me, and this is bugging me.

"I like him." I say in a rush, and I say it with my eyes closed right. I peak them open just a little only to be faced with two smiling faces. Now that I've strayed, I don't believe I'll be able to stop.

"I like him bad. When I'm with him, all I can think about is him all the time, but he's made it clear he's not into me like that. Rejecting my kiss when I went to pick him up, or telling me at his family dinner that I'm his best friend. What else am I supposed to do?" I say shoving another chip on my mouth.

"Wait what?! He invited you to his family dinner? How much family are we talking about here Anika?" exclaims Anna. She's nearly about ready to jump out of her seat.

"Well.. all of them."

Both of their mouths drop at the same time.

"Are you stupid?" says Sadie.

"On your period or some dumb shit?" adds Anna. I'm not stupid, but I can't deny the bloody hell below my belly button, so yeah.

The two of them go back and forth saying things to me along the lines of what the hell is wrong with me.

"For God's sake Anika. He let you meet the whole family. Not just his parents, but the whole damn family. How can you not see it by now?" asks Sadie and she looks at me with genuine confusion in her eyes.

"And didn't he drive you home after Sadie's party? I didn't get a full glimpse my God you were so drunk." says Anna.

"Yeah.. he actually drove me back to his place to be safe." I admit and I stir my drink with my straw.

"What the hell Anika?! What the actual hell?" exclaims Sadie. She looks at me as if I've been keeping a big secret and now it's all coming out. Well I guess that is it.

"I don't know ok?! I don't know what he wants, but I know what I want. No I don't know. I don't freaking know." I say with absolute irritation.

Just as those two are about to speak, the waiter comes up.

"Sorry it took me so long ladies," the same man says, "it looked like you had some things to work out..."

We all give each other a look.

He wasn't wrong.