The Good and The Bad (Complicated Love Story)

Chapter One: New plans

Dotty sighed as she closed her phone. She was such an ass. She just blew off her boyfriend to hang out with a guy she wasn’t even dating. And to make matters worse, this wasn’t the first time. Clearly, one hanging with their best friend wasn’t a crime. But when that best friend was a guy that a boyfriend might not exactly get along with…was a different story.  

Cal. He was Dotty’s best friend and had been for quite some time. They had just planned to head to a concert. That meant skipping the plans she made with Scott who wanted to see a movie. A movie. Dotty was tired of seeing movies. Who didn’t want to shake their ass and drink free beer at a concert? That’s what she liked about Cal, he was spontaneous. He liked to go to concerts and drink, and stay up all hours of the night talking about the greatest books of all time. Don’t get me wrong, Dotty thought, Scott made up for his lack of being spontaneous with corny jokes and his cute geeky-ness.

Dotty was lying on her bed when Cal had called. He was already yelling into the phone when she answered.

“YOU, ME, MUSIC FARM NOW!” Cal yelled.

“Whoa, whoa, calm down there buddy!” Dotty responded. “What’s at the Music Farm?”

“Only our most favorite band in the world!” Cal said, no longer yelling.

“I already have plans tonight.” There was a long pause. She could feel his puppy eyes burning on the other end. “Fine, what time?” And just like that Dotty had new plans. What was it about Cal that made her give in so easily?

“I’ll pick you up in an hour.” Click.

Dotty sighed. She hadn’t seen Cal in quite some time since she had moved. She guessed this was her way of making it up to him. Scott was at work so she sent him a text explaining an old friend, Ally, was in town and wanted to hang out. It wasn’t a complete lie. She explained it would be late when she got home and might stay the night. Not that she would ever stay the night at Cal’s house. Never ever again.

She started reminiscing about the old times when after class in high school everyone would head to Cal’s for a party. She and Cal always found themselves alone. Cal was sort of a nice boy, in some way keeping his hands to himself. And then she would wake up his arms regretting getting too close to him. Cal was a great guy just not…boyfriend material. And that made things so frustrating.

Dotty met Scott after high school and Cal dreaded the day they starting dating. Not that he ever said anything but, it did affect their friendship. Cal quickly got over it but he never stopped showing his feelings in the most awkward ways. Dotty always found herself in sticky situations with him. She knew she shouldn’t hang out with him because it seemed to lead him on but, she couldn’t help herself. Scott always assumed something had happened between her and Cal but, Dotty always refused. Scott was jealous of Cal and vice versa. She always tried to keep the peace by hanging with them separately but that never really worked. Things grew weary between her and Scott when he confessed she spent too much time with Cal. In a way he was right.

Dotty slowly stopped hanging out with Cal as much which caused her to fall head over heels in love with Scott. But in the back of her mind she still had an aching for Cal. Scott was the type of guy who never really made mistakes. He was saving himself like Dotty in the intimate department. He was corny and sweet and wasn’t selfish.

Cal on the hand was adventurous and wild. He also had that vibe about him that made one crazy with lust. Cal could be kind and sweet but Dotty never knew if it was just for show. Dotty was thinking of the time she almost kissed Cal but quickly turned her thoughts to Scott. What was wrong her? She can’t go back to that place with Cal, Dotty thought.

Dotty looked at the clock realizing she had lost thirty minutes. Next to the clock was a picture of her and Scott. She rose and kissed the picture remembering it was Scott she was dedicated to. Dotty went to the closet looking for something inconspicuous to wear for her new plans.