It's Twisted

Are We Still Friends?

I woke up the next morning to the sound of my phone buzzing and the realization that my body will never get use to waking up. Sighing, I dragged myself out of bed.

I turned my music up before starting my morning routine and couldn't stop my mind from thinking about all the reasons Danny could potentially have for wanting to date me.

It's clear he has some kind of plan worked up his sleeve but the only logical thing I could think of was that he wanted to Prom-Night-Carrie me in the backyard of a frat house or something. Even though this is a rather small campus, I don't really know anything about him- beyond the rumors. I never really talked to the guy.

But now that I'm being forced to... I NEED ANSWERS!

Don't get me wrong, I'm okay with fake dating him given my current circumstances... I'd just like to be in the know on whatever angle he's playing at. I just never know when our interactions are genuine or just the next move for a game I'm not clued in on. This would be way easier if he had a flashlight on top of his head that lights up when he is bullshítting.

I remember last night when he chuckled after I questioned his emotional state for me, and it really left a weird feeling in my stomach. I chopped it up to my body's response to rejection.

I pressed my phone to my ear, waiting for whoever was on the other line to speak.

I sighed.

Halley.

"Um... yeah, what's up?" I replied trying to keep a cool demeanor.

She begins to rant, not even taking breaks for air, as her breathing gets more and more sporadic and untimely. She talks so fast I can barely register what she is saying.

"I thought we were best fri-Why would you- We tell each other everything-I have to find out- INSANE!"

No. She can't know about... can she? Danny made a promise not to say anything and as far as I know he was the only one from our school at YoGo's the night Ben and I kissed. The guilt is literally eating my tongue. No words come out and after an excruciating minute Halley starts again.

"Hello? Why haven't you told me about you and Danny? I haven't heard from you and then I hear from Zoey that he just decided to murder your face!" To her, this was probably the worst thing I could do as a friend... but she has it all wrong. I am an atrocious friend but I can't help the sigh that slips through my parted lips because I haven't been caught.

"Sorry, I was meaning to tell you." I reply still looking at my morning reflection in the bathroom mirror... I really hope I figure out this thing with Ben soon. It hurts lying to Halley. 

"I bet, but I miss my best friend! I only have a chem lab today at 4 p.m so let's go shopping!"

I had a psych lecture I knew I shouldn't miss and in all honesty, I don't know if I can see her in person without blurting out how I have been secretly locking lips with her boyfriend but I will have to try. "Meet you at the Mall in twenty?"

"Make it thirty!"

And with that I hung up and sat the phone on the bathroom counter. I could go a few hours without telling her anything too exposing; I just have to make sure my guilty conscience doesn't boil over.

Precisely twenty-five minutes later I stumble out of my  vehicle and stroll into the huge building. I spot Halley without even trying, her red hair disguising her face as she looks at the window mannequins at one of the first stores located near the entrance doors.

I huff out a breath and remind myself that for these few hours, Ben and I haven't had more than a conversation to each other.

"Hi." I said and she jumps a little spinning around to look at me, pulling me into a friendly hug just seconds after she made sure it was me.