Don't Judge Love

2

Vanessa and I stepped into our usual hangout. The bell rang and Roberto waved, tossing a towel aside. Vanessa took a deep breath and clapped her hands together. "I'm going to take you to this dance. I need a friend to come."

"I need you to shut it about this stupid dance. It's not my thing, besides you'll be drooling all over Zach. Speak of the devil." I muttered as I noticed Zach sitting in one of the booths. He called Vanessa over who gladly ran over like a small dog.

"Hailey," Roberto began to whine as I sat down on the stool. "You need to just tell her. She'll understand." I quickly shushed him.

"Keep your voice down. But are you insane? Absolutely not!"

"You gotta do it at some point or another." He huffed and crossed his arms like a parent scolding their child. I stuttered trying to think of a comeback for what felt like an eternity. Slamming my hand on the counter, I ordered a milkshake. "Do have money?" He raised a dark brown eyebrow at me. When I checked my pockets though...

"Just give me the shake, Roberto."

"Give me cash and I'll give you the ice cream." He narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously.

"I swear to some god, Roberto. I just want my shake." Roberto grinned and shrugged.

"Sorry, I need to make money." He snickered and continued to set up clean glasses.

"What about all those times they were on the house?"

"You were like five years old. You have a job now."

"Jesus!" I threw my hands up and tossed my backpack over my shoulder. "You're as bad as my parents." Before I stepped out the door, I tossed my head over my shoulder and cleared my throat. "Frigid bitch."

"You're Vanessa's ride home. You can't just leave." He shot back.

"Watch me." And I did leave. Then my mom scolded me for leaving Vanessa there because we had a sleepover planned that night.

We looked through a box of games and if I may add, they were terrible. I offered that we look on Steam and see what games have been released but once Vanessa's brother heard me, he nagged me like my mother. So we decided to watch a stream of Bob Ross videos because them knife sounds. "Hailey, what kind of guys are you into?"

"We're not starting this again." I mumbled as I started on my next small braid in her hair.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. Why is this all you ever talk about? What's the big deal?" Oh snap, Bob Ross is pulling out the Prussian Blue now.

"Well it's exciting and I want to see how Zach asks me out." God. She is such a typical white girl but not at the same time?

"What makes you think your lil boyfriend is gonna ask you?" A loud gasp sounded from her.

"How dare you underestimate my choice in men! I know he will. Believe me and when he does it'll be amazing." She plopped her chin on her palm and watched the painting progress.

"Sure thing kiddo. You wanna watch a movie after Bob is done?"

"I'm not gonna watch a horror movie with you." Vanessa shivered in disgust.

"Hey, if I ever show you a horror movie from now, I will go to your stupid dance." She stayed silent as if she was sorting the pros and cons. I brushed my fingers through her hair to clear the braids.

"You know what? Fine! I'll watch a stupid horror movie and it won't even freak me out!" She snapped while pointing a finger in my face. I rolled my eyes and looked through the movies I could find.

"Ever heard of The Shining?"

"Absolutely not. We are not watching that one." I snickered to myself as I pulled it up.

"It's pretty good. Shelley Duvall was in it. I don't care for when she does serious characters though."

"Then pick something else."

"Opion on Texas Chainsaw Massacre?" I tried to keep a straight face but I lost it when Vanessa glared at me. "Yes? Okay then."

"No please." She grabbed my flannel dramatically and lied on the floor. "You're killing me."

"This is what you get for pestering me about the dance."

Once the movie was over, Vanessa went right to sleep. After watching something nice to calm herself. It was pretty amusing except I got myself in this mess of going to her dance now. I glanced at the clock and it was already three am. Maybe I should tell Vanessa that whole thing, but what if it goes horribly wrong? Though she's like my best friend and she'll totally understand. Right? God what if she freaks out and doesn't like me anymore? What if she turns against me? Fuck it.
I start shaking her a little bit and whispering her name. She rolls over while rubbing her eyes. "What the- What's going on?" Her eyes hasn't focused and she could barely sit up.

"I'm gay." I expected some kind of reaction, but she just laid back down.

"Epic." Barely seconds later she began snoring. I chuckled to myself and relief washed over me. Thank goodness.