Chicks Before Dicks

Jess' news

'So how long have you two been best friends?' 

We're sitting in Jess' car on our way to meet Jacob. I stare at Matt blankly before registering the fact that he has just asked me a question. 

'Wait, sorry, what?' I say with as much confidence as possible. 

'Haha don't worry. I have that affect on people,' he chuckles.

Even his laugh is beautiful. 

I subconsciously blush. Thank God Mila is busy in the front discussing a levels with Jess. 

'Since we were four, first day of nursery,' I smile weakly.  

We stare intently at each other for a while and luckily I pull my eyes away in time before Mila twists her head around. 

'Were just going to pull up here so get ready to jump out,' she informs us. 

I smile at her in return and that's when I feel a wave of guilt. How could I think of my best friend’s boyfriend in that way? I'm such a crap friend. Control yourself, I tell myself; he's just a boy...yeah...a really hot one at that. No stop it, when have I ever been interested in boys before. God, this is so wrong. 

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

Ten minutes later we are all gathered around a table in Starbucks. I sip my latte slowly, trying desperately to keep my mind off the person sitting across from me. Next to him, Mila innocently bites into her brownie, blissfully ignorant about the way her boyfriend makes me feel. I look up cautiously and catch Matt's eye. I feel my cheeks get up and he does the one thing I was NEVER expecting. He winks at me. My mouth drops open and after recovering from the shock, I turn to my right and see that Jess has also noticed the gesture and has reacted the same way as me. Before I have a chance to turn back to Matt, Jess exclaims harshly 'I need to use the bathroom, Anna come with me.' 

I stare at her suspiciously and she responds with the dirtiest look she can muster.

Oh fuck. This is bad. 

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

'What the actual fuck?' Jess shouts before the bathroom door has even closed. I wince as the realization of what is going on hits me like a ton of bricks. I stare at her sheepishly, not quite sure what to say next. 

'I saw the way you were flirting in the car and now this. You know what Annabelle, you're selfish. For the first time in ages, Mila has someone that she really likes and you behave like this. You show no interest in boys and now you're all over your best friend’s boyfriend.' 

I stare at her, a shocked expression on my face. 

'That’s not fair,' I spit back, 'he winked at me and I can't help that!' 

Jess' angry facade falters and she begins to look guilty. 

'I'm sorry Anna,' she sighs after a few minutes, 'you're right you can't help it if he's being such a jerk as to flirt with you. That wasn't fair and I take it back.' 

To my utter horror a tear slips down her face. I stand as still as a statue as more tears fall that gradually become gentle sobs. I stand there, not quite sure what to do next. I told you I was hopeless in these situations. I hope to God I haven't upset her like this. No I can't have. Jess never cries about stuff as insignificant as this. This has got to be serious. I take a step towards her and wrap my arms around her awkwardly. My hugs may not be the most comforting but there better than nothing. She returns the embrace and sobs into my shoulder. 

'You don't have to tell me what it is, Jess, but if you need someone I'm here okay?' I mumble uneasily. I've never been very good at the sentimental stuff. She laughs. I blush.  Surely she's not taking the piss? I pull away and am almost relieved to see that it's not a mocking laugh but a sad one. She notices my confused expression and explains, 'I've just shouted at you for something that was completely out of your control and you still care. I'm so lucky to have friends like you.'