Right Into Place

Ten

"According to your reaction, you've got no idea what's going on, do you?" Cara asked her, sounding like a teacher trying to lecture her students.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and later said, "Cara, please don't--"

"Hush, Harold," she said and like all those other times, I am the one to zip my mouth.

"I must have missed a few details," Taylor replied confidently even though I know she is perplexed beyond reason. "If you'll excuse me, the situation is kind of awkward."

Taylor walked past her.

"Taylor, don't--" I almost stopped her but I stopped myself from saying that too. I have no idea why I want her to stay. . . but I have a feeling that even if I did tell her to do it, she won't, seeing as the situation is worse than messed up.

She kept walking and left the door, never finding out what kind of scene she had just left. The moment the silence returned, I glared at Cara, who, had been my best friend since middle school.

Cara, on the other hand, started laughing at my reaction, somehow finding her handiwork amusing. I never did find it amusing. She does this to every one of my girlfriends or every girl I'm with the moment she arrives at my door. She does this every. . . damn. . . time!"

"Cara," I said, sighing. . . she shouldn't have done that.

"Oh come on, you've got to admit, it's funny," she said, laughing at some parts.

I felt my mood changing immediately. I haven't seen Cara in while and I couldn't stay mad at her even if I wanted to.

I chuckled quietly, not really wanting to give in to her request.

"What? Just a bit?" She asked and smiled.

"Just a bit." I started laughing, "I missed you." I gave her an embrace and she returned it immediately but, of course, swiftly let go. I really did miss Cara, I miss seeing old faces from where I came from. Though I am still wondering what made her come here, I know I can settle those questions for later.

"Missed you too, babe," she replied and then took a very deep breath, brown eyes glancing at the door. "I guess I gotta take your girl now, huh?"

I was going to say it's too soon but I really couldn't let Taylor go that far without her knowing the truth.

"It was really your fault so go get her for me," I said.

"Yes, babe." She gave me a peck on the cheek, as she usually does. And with that, she skipped her way out of the shop and left me in silence.

That had been her awful cycle when it comes to me and my girlfriends. She pretends she is the current girlfriend and then the other girl is the third party and then later, console her. It was a dangerous joke, the last time she did this, I ended up getting a slap which had left my cheek red for hours. And now, it's just horrible luck that Taylor had to be in it too.

It had been a while but the two ladies came back.

"And then his ex outright slapped him harshly! His cheek had been red for two bloody hours!" Cara continued with her storytelling and I know if she's going to stay around, every single story of my embarrassing moments will be told.

Taylor laughed and then looked at me, "Good joke."

Lie. I simply nodded, assuring her that I heard what she said but never really bothering to muster a reply.

"So she's your best friend?" Taylor asked with a smile.

"Yes," I answered. "And ex."

Cara tried to reach out for my glasses, like always but I swatted her hand away and held my glasses into place.