"You sure you like this one?" I said to Rachael as we walked out of the store. I had bought a dress for her birthday party and I was a little unsure if it suited me.
"I love it, don't worry." She looked in my bag and smiled encouragingly. When we got out, the sun blazed down onto our faces. "Jesus it's hot." She huffed. I agreed and looked out at the sea of people. We were in the centre on a weekend, so it was extremely busy.
"Want to go and get a maccies?" Rach asked. I nodded and followed her out. As we went through the automatic doors, my eyes locked on my nightmare. It was Elmo, sat with his cousin Harry.
"Rach. Rach. Rachael. Weneedtogolikenowpleaselet'sgo." I rushed out, tapping her. I hid behind her a little.
"Is that who I fucking think it is?" She said, laughing. "I lied to him and said I didn't live here, we need to go before he spots me." I was basically begging now.
"Are you serious? You really do need to come to me with things before you make these stupid decisions." I rolled my eyes at her and she continued. "But... it will be fine. Just don't look his way. And stay on the other side of me." I nodded and we quickly walked to the screens, deciding it would be a good idea to order on their instead of at the front.
I watched him in the corner of my eyes, making sure he didn't look over here. I saw him glance ever so slightly, so i instinctively shot around the machine to hide.
"I hate this Rach." She smirked and looked over at him. "Well you're going to hate it more, because he's on his way over here."
"I think I'm going to be sick. Hide me." I crouched and stood behind her. I kept my head low, making sure not to make eye contact. He looked around like he was looking for me and frowned.
"I must be seeing things man." He was speaking to Harry from across the room as he returned to his seat.
"Looks like he did see you. We better get the food and go upstairs." I exhaled heavily. I didn't want to see him. Well of course I did, but I couldn't pluck up the courage because I wouldn't know how to act.
"I'll get our orders, you go find our table." I ran up and looked over the balcony. He was too busy talking to Harry to notice me.
I sat down and pulled out my phone. Elmo had text me less than a minute ago.
Guess what
Please tell me I was guessing he found a rare rock on the street or some random shit like that. Of course I knew that wasn't going to be the case.
What?
I looked over the balcony once again and saw he was on his phone, typing. He looked like he was being discreet all of a sudden.
I saw someone in McDonald's who looked exactly like you, it was super weird.
I felt my heart begin to race, in fear that he would catch on.
Got a doppelganger hanging around? haha that's so odd
I bit my nails and watched Rachael come up the stairs.
"Rach, he text me saying he saw someone who looks exactly like me." I hissed as she got closer. She giggled, placed the tray onto the table and sat down.
"You should just scream Elmo O'Dwyer and see what happens." She took a bite into a chip, a grin plastered on her lips.
"Over my dead body." I grabbed my burger and took a huge bite. The minute I did this, regret was the only thing I felt.
My eyes followed in mortification as Rachael stood up and hung her head over the balcony. I reached to grab her, chewing quickly in hopes that I could say something.
"ELMO O'DWYER, YOU'RE FIT!" she shouted over the buzz of chatter. It made everyone go quiet and stare at us both on the floor we were sat on. After the short silence, there was a little bit of laughter from certain age groups as he looked up. I peered over and he smiled at Rachael. He mouthed thanks awkwardly and quickly caught my eye.
"Oh you fucking bitch." I finally finished chewing and saw his eyes squint like he was trying to figure out my identity. I'm glad he needed glasses.
"You're going to hate me even more, because he's getting up. And fast." She stated to me as I watched her eyes follow his movement downstairs.
Panic set in as I began to look around desperately for a way out. My eyes locked on my saving grace. The toilets. I got up and sprinted to the door, practically flinging it open. I forced the weighted door closed and looked through the little window carefully.
Seconds later, his long legs sprung up the stairs. He walked to Rachael, Harry in toe. I could see he was pointing to my chair and she just shrugged. She better get my ass out of this situation or we would have a really problem.
Harry was talking now, waving his hands over the food. There were two portions. Rachael patted her stomach, she must of said that she was eating it all. A devilish grin was plastered on that face of hers that only I would clock onto.
A woman started walking to the door, so I stood back. She pulled it open and I stood to the side. Rachael looked at me and flashed me a smile, which I didn't appreciate right now as they both could have followed what she was looking at.
I walked out of the bathroom quietly, my face in a completely different direction, and sat by myself in a booth at a comfortable distance so I could hear what was going on without him noticing me.
"Right. So how do you know me?" Elmo began in conversation. "Instagram. My friend has a-" Her mouth snapped close. Thank god. "A what?" He said intently. "Has a... huge crush on you yeah. She would die right now, that's why I shouted earlier."
I'm glad she could think on her feet. "Oh, well do you want me to give her a ring? I'd love to speak to her." He said kindly.
She better think. Fast. "She's in a dance rehearsal right now which kinda sucks. Maybe some other time if I see you again?"
"That's fine. You have a good day." He smiled and walked back down with Harry. He whispered something to him and they both seemed like they weren't fully convinced.
Once Rachael gave me the clear, I walked back over. She chuckled as I sat down and passed back over my burger.
"I hate you." I said simply, biting into my now cold burger. "You love me really. I'm such a good liar!" She acted out, popping a peace sign.
"You could have just not said anything in the first place so I didn't have to deal with what felt like a heart attack and a hernia all in one. So thanks for that." I leaned back in my chair and breathed.
"But wasn't that fun! And you're not lying, he really is hot in real life. Have you seen his cousin Harry too? Damn if only he was a bit older.."
I choked on my drink. "You are not serious. Harry is 16 you nonce."
She sulked at my reaction and took a bite out of her chicken nugget. "16.. but legal. So, i'm not a nonce, shut up. But I really do wish he was older, wouldn't mind taking a spin on his-"
"RIGHTTTT okay. That's enough of that!" I interrupted her before unwanted imagery flood my mind. She laughed and played with her straw in her mouth. My phone buzzed and I looked at it, Rachael reading over my shoulder.
You definitely do have a doppelgänger. Also have a funny story to tell you later. FaceTime me tonight when you can ?
"Well I'll love to hear what he has to say. Glad that I'll be staying tonight." She winked as I sighed. Things were about to get a lot worse.
_
