Blue Flower

Chapter 53

-Chester-

Work went on as usual. It was out fourth day at Jerry’s Delight, and we’re having a good time. I enjoyed my life as a dishwasher with Clarisse beside me, and Naomi as a waitress while Nick was always at her side. The four of us got along well. But the mere fact that I have to make up a story on how we arrived here still caused me chunks of stress.

“Really? She escaped from your brother that’s why you ended up here? Tell me everything.” she said.

While I submerged my hands into the soapy water with all those dirty saucers, I started to braid out a story.

“Okay. This is what happened. Naomi was about to be wed with a guy named Robert, but she doesn’t love him. Her brother still forced her, and that’s why she came up with the idea of running away.”

“Then why are you here with her?” she asked. By the way I look at her eyes; she seemed to believe what I was saying.

I shrugged. “Oh well, I’m just her lawfully tolerating best friend.”

She pouted at Naomi’s ill fate. “How poor of her. If I were in that situation, I’d probably do the same thing.”

“Yeah, it’s kinda depressing actually.”

Then she shifted my personal life. “By the way, where’s your boyfriend now? How’s your relationship with him?”

Uh- oh. I was caught off-guard. I forgot to fabricate a story about my ‘boyfriend’. I laughed to hide my uneasiness then fortunately, my mind came out with something out of the ordinary, and partly sinful.

Oh. Uhm, he’s living in Chicago. He’s a senior in our school.” I said, hopelessly trying to make it seem it’s true.

“Well, that’s good. Mind telling me his name?” 

We began to rinse the dishes. “Andrew Richardson. Naomi’s cousin.”

She chuckled. “Sounds hot.”

“Like me?”

Nick appeared at our backs with a huge grin on his face. It was kind of weird though, but I knew he was just fooling around.

“Not you. Chester’s boyfriend.” she said and wore a face of mock disgust.

His face lit up and put his arms around my body. “I can steal you from him.” he whispered in my ear.

I let out a forced laugh and broke free from his touch. “I’m taken, Nick. Back off.”

The rest of the day ended as it was. Tonight, the four of us would go partying at a bar downtown. I was bothered by my excuse of making Andrew my boyfriend. If he was here, I’d owe him a lot of apology. It still continued to haunt me as we walked to the bar. I tried to dismiss the thought off. It was pretty useless no matter how I try to look at it.

I secretly texted Naomi about the story I made to Clarisse. She laughed a little and replied me with “okay”. We were inside the bar, where loud music dominated every corner. Alcoholic drinks of different colors were generously served, and people were dancing like no tomorrow. Clarisse found a seat for us near the wall while Nick ordered the drinks.

“My treat.” he said.

“Nick, I’d like to have juice. I don’t like any alcohol.”

Despite the heavy collisions of sounds around us, he still nodded on my request. Naomi wanted vodka. Clarisse just wanted anything.

“So, do you go to parties always?” she asked the two of us. Naomi nodded while I shook my head in answer.

“Why, Chester? Don’t you enjoy this place?” she said. Her hand landed on mine, earning a death glare from Naomi.

“Slightly.” I jerked my hand away and pretended to put it in my pocket.

We exchanged a couple of questions, answers and small talks. When Nick arrived bringing in our drinks, we settled into an easier conversation. Naomi invited us to take on the dance floor.

“You know I don’t dance, right?” I shook my head and sipped my juice. 

“Please?” She squeezed my hand tightly, sensing that I had no choice. I nodded and headed to the crowded dance floor.

The music got wilder and more upbeat. People were dancing to their extreme strength, swaying with the loud thump of the disco. I tried to move my body in accordance with them, while Naomi moved here and there, in a way that I don’t really understand. It’s an awkward feeling to dance like this. Clarisse and Nick kept on glancing my way, their smiles telling me I don’t dance well. It’s already an accepted fact for me though.

The scenes of the prom night came back in my mind. How I gingerly danced in that slow music, with Naomi as my partner, how that damn spotlight put us into sudden stardom and the kiss... if it wasn’t for that, we wouldn’t arrive at this stage now. I’d love to feel her lips again, but not here.

“Hey!” Naomi called out. I couldn’t hear her so she leaned closer to my ear.

“I wish I could kiss you again like I did on prom night.” she said clearly.

I grinned. “You’re crazy. You can do it later.” I answered, bringing my mouth close to her ear.

A grin wider than my own played on her features. She put her arms around me and rested her head on my chest. 

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing. Let’s just go back to our seat.”

We went back to our seat. We drank our drinks quietly. Clarisse came in followed by Nick, and soon, the four of us became alive with laughter again.

Naomi started to get tipsy. She leaned her head on my shoulder and tried to sleep despite the current surrounding. We decided to bring her home. As Nick hailed a cab, Clarisse and I help Naomi to her feet, but she turned out to be so wasted. I carried her in my arms and helped her inside the cab.

“I’m sorry. She can’t help drinking a lot.” I said to the two of them. Nick just smiled and gave a thumbs-up sign. Clarisse put her hand on my shoulder.

“It’s okay. She has to get a pretty good sleep.” she said.

We arrived at the apartment. I gave Nick the keys and the door opened for us. I put Naomi directly to bed, laid her on her back, and rummaged the closet to find her something comfortable to wear. They looked at me with surprised and disbelieving expressions.

“Are you sure you’re gonna change her? I can do it for you.” she offered.

I waved it away. “We grew up together, and she doesn’t mind it. Look at her,” I pointed at Naomi. “Can she still change if she’s that drunk?”

“Oh. That could be a lot worse.”

I stripped off her clothes and changed them into pajamas and a loose shirt. They stared at me in astonishment. She stirred slightly and turned to lie down on her stomach.

“Goodnight, sleepyhead.” I whispered.

I asked the two of them to stay for a while, but Nick had to go. His house was far from this place. Clarisse just lives a ride away from here. She stayed with me in the living room, drinking a cup of coffee and watching a late night show on TV. I thanked her for helping me out tonight, which she acknowledged with a smile. She left fifteen minutes later.

After clearing things out and taking a quick bath, I settled on the couch and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.