petrichor

That's What Friends are For, Right? | 2

"God, I can't wait to go to your house!" Crista exclaimed excitedly as they arrived at the driveway leading to Talia's house. As Talia had expected earlier, her friend totally marveled at the sight of her domicile. The house had a huge garden with a fountain on one side of it and flowers arranged so meticulously by the gardener, making it felt like they were walking in a park.

"I know, right?" Talia said sort of smugly. She never really thought much of her house, because the way it was arranged suited her parent's taste more, so she didn't like the layout that much. The only place that really felt like home to her was her room.

When they went inside, Crista was awed by the sight of Talia's huge living room. Velvet curtains on the floor-to-ceiling window, original modern art paintings that adorned the walls, comfy sofas and armchairs to sit on, and a grand piano that sat in one corner.

"Oh damn, I don't think your house was like this when I came in last time." Crista gushed. Talia shrugged. "Yeah, at one point, my mom did a fixer upper on the interior layout so...", and just when she mentioned her mom, a voice called out from the hallway. "Talia?"

"Mom?" Talia said slightly disbelieved, shouldn't she be at work right now or something? "Your mom's here?" Crista said, also surprised, "I thought you were home alone." "I don't know either, Crissy!" Talia mouthed angrily. She then led Crista down the hallway to where the voice was coming from, the dining room.

She found her mom sitting in her usual spot in the table, eating a salad. "Hey, mom." Talia waved awkwardly, unsure of what to say to her, Crista was standing right behind Talia, her mouth sealed shut. Mrs. Sommers looked up from her plate and at her daughter. "Talia? What took you so long? You were supposed to be at home ages ago." she chided.

Talia rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry." she apologized profusely. "I invited Crista over." Her friend moved forward and stood by her side. "Nice seeing you, Mrs. Sommers." Crista said in a sweet, honey-coated voice. Immediately, the attention of Talia's mom shifted towards her. "Oh," she replied, realizing there was someone else besides Talia. "Hello, Crista."

Talia realized her mom sounded sort of reluctant saying the name of her friend. She doesn't like, hate her or something, right? It would be a disaster if she did. One thing she learned in life was, if her parents disliked the people she was hanging out or involved with, she knew she'd have to leave them later on or face the disapproving stare of her mom.

There was silence in the air before Crista broke it. "I hope you don't mind me being here, Mrs. Sommers." she said, acting all saint-like. Talia's mom fanned the air, "Oh, please, it's fine." she replied. "You two can go play in Talia's room." she got up and placed her plate on the dishwasher. "Have you guys eaten?"

Both of them nodded their heads in agreement. "Yes, Mrs. Sommers." "Yeah, mom." Talia's mom shrugged. "Please, call me Julie instead." she said to Crista. "Well, I suppose I won't have to serve you snacks then. Mostly it's because we don't have anything in the fridge right now, haven't done the groceries lately." she muttered.

Talia took a step backward to retreat to the hallway and into her room. "Um, okay, I guess Crista and I better get going." but Julie didn't answer because she suddenly received a call. "Yes, hello? Yes, this is Julie Sommers speaking, how may I help?"

"Oh, well." Talia shrugged. "To my room it is!" she said, trying to muster some excitement so Crista wouldn't suspect anything. Somehow, the look on her mom's face when she saw Crista made Talia thought that maybe inviting her friend over wasn't such a wise decision after all.

When Talia finally closed her room door, Crista looked as if she could burst. "So, tell me all about that guy who cheated and shit." Talia tried to engage Crista into a conversation. Her friend grinned from ear to ear, finally! her face read "Don't you think we need something to make this thing more fun?" she asked slyly.