Amans

5. That's What Friends Are For

"I'm what!?" Amans coughed, nearly choking on his slice of pizza.

Magdalena rolled her eyes at his dramatics and repeated herself, "You. Are. My. Guest. Of. Honor. At. My. Masquerade. Ball."

"Masquerade Ball?" Amans raised his eyebrow questioningly.

"Geez Amans have you not been listening?" Magdalena reached for a napkin to remove the grease from her polished fingernails.

She and Amans sat in her living room, lounging on her settee sofa. Two large boxes of Roberta's pizza sat in front of them on the glass coffee table. One vegetarian, the other meat lovers.

Magdalena wasn't going to allow Amans's vegetarian diet to affect hers.

The fire from the fireplace crackled in their silence, their shadows dancing in the dimly lit room. In addition to the warmth from the fire, Magdalena had the thermometer turned up; she liked for her home to be warm and cozy. The pattering of the raindrops against the window outside started to pick up, and the intervals between car horns blaring began to shorten.

No one liked being stuck in traffic, especially in the rain.

At 12:30 PM, Magdalena pulled up outside of Daily Dosage.

After Amans had entered the car, the first drops of rain began to fall. Magdalena's planned evening for lunch at Le Bernardin had been spoiled. Amans, not really in the mood to be amongst other people anyway, suggested they pick up some pizza from Roberta's and go back to Magdalena's place.

Although Magdalena was upset about having to cancel her reservations, she enjoyed the tranquility of her home, so she agreed.

"I told you, I'm throwing a Masquerade Ball in celebration of me winning a CFDA Award!" Magdalena huffed, annoyed at having to repeat herself.

"Oooooh..." Amans's mouth hung open, drawing out the "o" sound. He remained confused, "CFDA?"

Magdalena rolled her eyes, "It's a fashion award, for my new line, Chic N Classy, don't you remember?"

She looked at Aman's waiting for him to respond.

His eyes brightened as realization struck. The countless late night calls he had received being drilled with questions regarding his style preference, the follow-up fashion shows he had attended headlined, Chic and Classy all in support of Magdalena.

He slapped his hand on his forehead, "Oh my god, Mags how could I have forgotten? Of course, I remember! Congratulations!"

Magdalena beamed, "Thank you! It's going to be so much fun!"

Amans smiled and nodded in agreement, "I know! I'm so proud of you!"

He winked at Magdalena, then took a bite out of his pizza and resumed eating.

Magdalena glared.

He stopped chewing and looked around, "What?"

"Amans, you're going to be my guest of honor."

Amans froze, "Meee??? But whyyyyy?"
"Because you're my best friend and I want to celebrate this night with you!" Magdalena stuck out her bottom lip, "Oh don't tell me you're not gonna go, 'cuz that would just break my wittle heart," she took a deep sigh and looked at the ground.

Amans exhaled, "Look Mags...I have a lot going on right now, and you know I don't like parties..."

"I know, I know, but it would mean so much to me if you came and I mean don't you think you deserve a break from that..." Magdalena rolled her eyes in disdain, "that, job."