Syrtis

II.

April 27th, 2018
Friday, 7:25pm

“You should have seen the way she ignored me. I mean, have some common courtesy, for heaven’s sake! But nooo, sister girl was acting boujee on me, like I was the one who was intruding on her personal space,” Jessica hissed her teeth for the third time that evening and huffed in annoyance. “Like, you’re the one invading the personal space of a person who belongs to me. I should be the one acting proud! The stupid girl is still pissing me off, I don’t even know why I’m letting it bother me.”

She was sitting on the floor of her bedroom, between the legs of a very quiet but clearly listening woman who was removing the weave from her hair.

“Ella! You’re not saying anything,” she pouted at the mirror that was opposite them so that her expression could be seen. “If you’re even listening to me.”

“I’m listening to your rant, rants don’t need replies. Tilt your head a bit,” Ella managed to hold her wild, natural hair with a rubber band and dropped the last of the Brazilian weave on the bed beside her. “All done.”

“You’re right, as always. It’s just really getting to me,” she stood up and patted the top of Ella’s braids and walked closer to the mirror. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“I can make a list, if you want. There’s a lot you can do without me,” her voice was soft and calm, but from the smile that lighted up her face as she fell back on the white sheets that was fitted across the queen sized bed, Jessica knew that she was playing around.

“Very funny. Another classic Ella joke. The person who told you that you are funny, lied to you.” Seconds later, something hit her boxer clad butt and hit the floor with a soft thump. She gasped dramatically and started cooing at the brown and white teddy bear. “Aunty Ella threw you, didn’t she? I know. She’s mad, we just have to manage her.”

“I will burn that bear,” Ella rolled her eyes and sat up, folding her legs beneath her.

Jessica clutched the bear to her chest protectively and stare at her in the mirror. “It’s comfortable to sleep with. Besides, Amin gave it to me so please don’t touch. Tell Lee to get you your own.”

“He wouldn’t dare. Ice cream is so much better,” Ella watched her stare back at her reflection in the mirror in thought and joined her a few moments later. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, please don’t psycho-analyze me.”

“Too late.”

Jessica sighed and went to sit at the foot of her bed, staring down at the bear. “I’m fighting attachment yet…trying not to. Does that make sense?”

Ella let out a short laugh. “Fighting? Sorry to be the one to break it to you, but you’re already hooked on this guy. He belongs to you, remember? That’s why this secretary is bothering you so much. You like him a lot.”

She grimaced at the mention of the word secretary and thought about her day once more. “Fine. I guess I like him.”

“A lot. Don’t forget to add that.”

“You’re annoying, you know that right?” She swatted her friend’s butt but Ella moved out of the way in time, laughing. “I don’t want to think about it again sef, what’s up with you?”

Ella just shrugged and Jessica narrowed her eyes at her. “Do I have to beat it out like last time? Because I will. Talk.  You’ve been offline and away from the rest of the world for one whole week.”

“Oh. You noticed that?” Ella smiled weakly.

“We’re best friends, fool. I know I suck at it but I still notice some things. What’s going on?”