It All Started With A Pen

Keep It PG

I sit with my back against the door, pressing my hands against my temple and resting my elbows on my knees.

"Ash! Open up! I'm sorry... I had a reason for not telling you!" Zara calls.

No response.

"Please don't be mad? You know I didn't want for this to happen."

I frown at that. When did she ever say that? Never. I hear Bex mumble something-probably a joke to ease the tension- and Zara responds with, "I think it's best if you go."

"See you tomorrow?" Bex asks unsurely, and I have to admit, it is kind of cute.

"Maybe," Zara says curtly, and I find myself getting slightly annoyed. Am I a rude person for taking Bex's side over my best friend's?

As soon as I hear the front door open and shut-wow, Zara didn't even show him out- I stand up and fling open my door, right as Zara is about to knock again.

"Ash-"

"Wow, Zara, you couldn't even show your makeout buddy to the door?" I ask harshly.

Zara raises her eyebrows, looking upset, and my heart softens. Okay, so I'm not the best at being mad at people... "Jeez, Ashley, I'm sorry, I was going to tell you today. If you're really that mad about me kissing Bex, I'll tell him so. It just...happened."

She is so dense! She thinks I'm mad because she's kissing a guy? "Okay, listen, Zara, I'm not mad because you were kissing Bex, you do you. I'm mad because you decided it was fine to kiss my crush's best friend, no it's not even that, it's that you have been kissing a guy without telling me, your best friend, that? And don't use the 'I wasn't expecting it!' excuse because tell me honestly, when did this start?"

"Two days ago," she says shamefully. She bows her head and looks down at the ground. "I'm sorry, I really was going to tell you guys soon."

I feel kind of bad. I'm usually not this mean and sensitive, I'm a nice person! "It's okay," I smile and hug her tightly, "because you guys are kind of cute together."

She looks at me, astonished, and even I was semi-shocked to hear that come out of my mouth. Bex's humor and inability to be serious completely contradicted with my best friend's pressing demeanor and quick temper. But you know what they say, opposites attract! And they definitely do here, because suddenly, my brain is reworking itself to match Zara and Bex(and come up with ship names, if we're being honest).

"So..." I ask Zara. "Do you think he'll ask you out? Is he a good kisser? Tell me everything." Zara laughs again and starts talking, and everything is fine between us once more.

***

It's been almost a week since I caught Zex, and they've been... much more restrained. Meanwhile, I'm struggling to try and get ahead of my coursework so I have very little to do over Thanksgiving break. I was really excited for today because I would be calling Amber later on for her senior dance get-ready.

Zara plops onto my bed as I am setting up my laptop. It was finally Friday, which meant a girls day for the four of us girls. Zara unlocks her phone and starts scrolling through her Instagram feed for 10 minutes, until Ava and Casey text that they're almost here. We usually tend to hang out in our apartment on Friday's instead of going over to Casey's and Ava's because they live in a dorm so we can't be too loud. And we are always loud. I hear the doorbell and nudge Zara with my socked foot. "Get the door," I command, and she sighs and stands up. I open Skype as Zara is going out and start to dial Amber. She picks up on the first ring.