It's Complicated

18. Crystal Clear

18. Crystal Clear

"HE WHAT?" Riya shrieked, smiling from ear to ear.

"You heard me," I said smugly, trying to act like it wasn't a big deal.

"Oh, yeah, pshh.  I mean, Drew Jackson, the hottest guy of St. Marks Epsicopal, the most sought after guy in the world, kissing you is like no big deal. Why did I even freak out?" The sarcasm was dripping heavily from each word.

"Exactly," I said, shrugging casually.

She stared at me disbelievingly, and I couldn't keep up the calm facade for any longer. I grinned happily and let out a small squeal. "It was so good, Riya! It was just perfect." I sighed and leaned back in my chair, completely satisfied and happy.

"Just wow. Amazing. Tell me everything." She sat up straight and rested her chin on her hands. 

I rolled my eyes at her eagerness but proceeded to tell her everything. And I mean everything. Riya and I kept nothing away from each other, and no detail was too small to be shared.

"Did you tell Allen?" she asked hesitantly.

"Uh no," I said, frowning slightly, "and I don't plan to either. How awkward would that be?"

"Yeah, I guess it's for the best," Riya said, nodding to herself. "I was pretty sure you wouldn't, but you guys tell each other everything so I wasn't sure."

"We don't tell each other everything," I said, rolling my eyes at her disbelieving expression. "We just tell each other almost everything. There's a difference. You just can't talk about some stuff with guys."

Riya nodded and straightened out her shirt.

"So what's up with you?" I asked, intuitively feeling like she was hiding something from me.

"Nothing," she responded instantly, her eyes flashing to my face.

I raised my eyebrows and let out a sigh. "Just tell me, Ree."

She hesitated but looked torn. "I'm not sure how you'll react," she admitted nervously, absentmindedly twirling a lock of hair around her finger.

"Tell me," I said patiently, waiting for her to spill. She never could keep anything away from me.

"Okay, um, promise you won't get mad?" she asked, grimacing.

"I  promise," I said impatiently. "C'mon, tell me!" I was getting kinda anxious now because she was acting all weird.

She took a deep breath and scratched her arm before opening her mouth to talk. "I, uh, have a date with someone today."

I smiled in excitement, all my anxiety gone. "What?" I asked excitedly. "That's great news! Tell me everything. Start from the beginning."

Riya stared at me patiently, waiting. I blinked, remembering the words she had just said. "Oh, uh, why would I be mad about that? That's good news."

She stared at me some more.

"What?" I asked.

She made an impatient sound. "Who would I go on a date with, Mariela? C'mon, use the couple of brain cells you have. I know you're not completely brain dead."

I glared at her. "I'm not brain dead! I'm a good student! And I'm more street smart than you so don't even," I said, unable to resist taking a dig at her poor life skills. She couldn't even do the laundry by herself. Talk about sad.

She glared back at me. "That was a low blow."

I shrugged. "You deserved it."

Riya cracked a smile and rolled her eyes. "Okay, back to the subject. Think a little."