Friends Can Have Benefits Too

Twelve: Avoiding the Truth

Chapter 12

I've been avoiding Rachel now for a week. And when I say it was hard, I mean it. She knows me so well it's scary. I have to switch up my usual schedule just to miss her. Yeah, I know what you're thinking; but she knows where you work, dummy. Yes, she has visited me, but I had my super helpful friend cover my ass.

"Yeah, she's sick."

"She's out somewhere"

"I heard she went on a vacation"

Until today, apparently I came back from that luxurious hotel suite in Honolulu. Yeah, Parker can exaggerate a bit. Which is one of the reasons Rachel didn't believe him.

"So how was your trip?" Rachel gave me her best intimidating look: hand in hip, eyebrow perked, and head tilt.

"Great!" My face turned red, I'm sure of it. I turned around quickly and tried to escape her by entering the maze of books. But, too slow Mia. She grabbed my arm holding me in place.

"Why have you been avoiding me?"

"You know. I heard that they're having a special taco Tuesday at the Jesus Taco place. It's only the most delicious tacos. We should totally get some right now. Then we can— ,"

"Mia!" She was piercing me with those fiery eyes.

"Okay, okay. I sorta promised someone I couldn't say anything about the one thing you told me to tell you about. And I knew it would come up some time. So I thought, hey what would be easier than—,"

"You're talking fast Mia. Does this have to do with Clown boy?"

I drew in close. She did too. I whispered, "Who's Clown boy?"

She looked mad. Oh so mad. "You know who! I dare not speak his name no more!"

Oliver.

"Oh, right. No it's not him."

A voice startled us both, "Mia, you gotta stop chit chatting and get to helping with the books in the back... Oh, hi Rachel." Oliver stood there red, hands in his jean pockets, rocking back and forth on his heel and toe.

She glared at him, snapped her head up and walked away. Obviously shunning him. Which was quite ridiculous but worked for me. "You're a life saver."

He grinned.

As I headed with Oliver to the back door, Rachel's voice bellowed from behind, "Don't think you're off the hook. Call me later." I groaned.

"So you gonna tell me why you're avoiding her?"

"Are you gonna tell me why you bailed on the date?"

We've been like this all week. I asked him this question almost every day. And his response, the same;

"Can't say unless you tell me why you're playing hide and seek with Rachel."

Again, I groan.

We both quietly entered the back room to unload the donated books. The whole time we were suspiciously quiet. And with Oliver, it's never quiet. Something had to have happened that night but I don't have an idea of what.

I spared him a glance. He looked focused on the books. I look back at my pile of books trying to figure out what's fascinating about them. But when I don't find anything worthy of Oliver's attention, I look back up. His eyes met mine for a second before he looked back down.