“Hello? Julie is that you?”
And…My happiness shriveled like a salted snail. Because the person on the other end of the line, well, she just wasn’t Noah. It was Jess, one of the only female friends I had.
“Hey, it’s me Jess. Listen I was wondering what you were doing on Saturday? I thought maybe we could go ice skating or see a movie?”
“Yes! I would love to go ice skating! It’ll be the first Christmassy thing I’ve done all year!”
“Pshh Jules, It’s not even Thanksgiving yet!”
“I know, but I love Christmas! You cannot deny that Christmas is not the most exciting time of the year!”
“Fuck Christmas, New Year’s my friend is the best time of year! At least 12 hours of straight drunken, spontaneous, embarrassing, partying! It’s the best day of the year.”
“I highly doubt more people like New Year’s over Christmas, I mean c’mon! It’s Jesus’ birthday, plus you get to have an excuse to cuddle with someone you like.”
“Ok true on the cuddling part, but regular people in the adult world, aka: not you, hate Christmas because a) You spend all this fucking money on gifts for distant family out in Long Island you honestly don’t really give a shit about b) If you’re single, you can forget about doing any cute couple things and c) Cousins will constantly be asking me if I 'want to build a snowman'.”
“Oh you’re just bitter because you’ve been lonely for too long.”
“And you’re just super optimistic, which I kind of hate about you, but it’s also…”
“The best thing about me?”
“I was going to say annoying, but…”
“Oh whatever, people like me make the world a better place, you should thank me!”
“No, people like you make Pixar movies and teach kindergarten!”
“I hate you Jess.”
“And same goes for you, yet here we are, kinda stuck together by some twisted trick of fate. It’s the universe telling you to become cooler and get a life, like me.”
“Sue me, because I don’t think its fun getting plastered and sleeping around.”
“See that’s your problem Jules, you think instead of do.”
“Yeah that’s because I have a conscious, you should get one, there great.”
Hmmmm…so funny Jules. Yeah well I’ll be over soon, and hey! Maybe you could ask Noah to come too?” That was Jess language for 'I need an excuse to see Noah so invite him casually'. See she really likes Noah. She doesn’t like to admit it, but she does and always had since the day I met her. And that’s why she liked having me as a friend. “I will. He’s coming over tonight for dinner because his parents are going away for the weekend trip, so he’s staying over.”
“Really? Do you think I could come over and spend the night? I mean, I’d love to come and see you and Noah. But maybe we could start party planning for your birthday. Maybe Noah can help too.”
“Yeah sure you can. My parents will be out this weekend so it’ll just be me, you, Emma, and Noah.”
“Oh how is your sister by the way, she’s getting so big!”
“Oh she’s in that stage where she doesn’t ever stop talking about stuff, no matter what it is she just goes on for hours!”
“Well she’s five, she’s learning!”
“Oh yeah, Noah taught her how to armpit fart and now she won’t stop.”
She nearly squealed with laughter at that name. Noah.
“He’s great with kids isn’t he?...Listen, I’ve got to let you go, I’m driving but I’ll be right over!” And she hung up the phone.
I then walked downstairs to bid my parents goodbye. They pestered me with the emergency numbers and gave me the keys to the truck for the weekend.
“Now, you know the rules when driving the truck anywhere.” Pat said.
“No driving with loud music, no phone activity, no more than two people, Patrick I’ve got this.”
“Okay, love you Junebug,”
“Love you Dad, Bye Mom!”
I yelled from the car port to Mom, she waved back and blew a kiss. Patrick kissed my forehead and gave me a huge hug, and then they were off. But before they made it down the street Mom stuck her head out the window and screamed,
"NO SEX IN THE TRUCK!!!We love you bye."
I sware they always have to find a way to embarrass me somehow. But the dirty looks I got from Mrs. Chang and Mr. Wagner down the street were priceless. I sheepishly waved at them both then locked the door and went up to my room.
About fifteen minutes later, Jess came at the door. She looked like she was getting ready for the Oscars. “Jess, um why are you dressed like that? I thought we were having a sleepover?”
“Well yeah, but I just wanted to look my best for my best friend. So where’s Noah?”
She searched the house for a trace of him like a blood hound.
“Not here yet…why?” I answered.
“Ohhhh, just wondering.” She said with a grin and let herself into the kitchen.
She set her pink bag on the carpet in my room. She immediately headed for my bathroom to complete her makeup. I just stood back and watched her buzz around the room. Back and forth for makeup, clothes, jewelry, everything!
I was waiting for a distraction so that I could pull myself away for a moment. Then I was saved by the bell. The Doorbell. Her face light up like a fourth of July firework. “Is that…Him?”
She said like he was some kind of god or something.
“Probably…”
“Oh, well what are you waiting for? Go get the door Jules!”
UGGHHHH, I just made my way downstairs and mumbled to myself on the way down. I opened the door and he let himself in. When he walked in and took his coat off, i shot him a look. Not any old look..." The Look".
"Julie...I"
I was still mad at him for this afternoon, so I was going to head upstairs. He started pathetically fumbling with his own words. But then, in came Jessica Bretson on her graceful way down the steps. Her pink high-heels and her cherry lip gloss shined in the light. She took a step toward Noah and said, “Heyy. How’s it going?” she said with a slight pucker of the lips.
“Um alright I guess, how are you Jess?”
“Oh I’m just great Noah, how bout you?”
“You already asked me that…”
“Oh did I, oh gosh it must have just slipped my mind I guess.”
“Well I guess we all know how uh slippery your mind can be.” He said trying to remove his hand from Jess’ tight handshake. “…Jules, I need to talk to you.” He said shyly with his head down. I glared at him and then headed into the kitchen. “Fine, dinners ready. We can talk after, since it's just Soo ergent."”
YOU ARE READING
What We Were
Teen FictionA young Julie Sheridan, living In a small town In Illinois, Is just about to start off her senior year with her life long friend Noah. As she discovers the courage to accept the things that change her, she realizes that she will have graduated with...
