VILE

Chapter 7: The Present

The cold breeze hit her hard as she walked across the street. Whose bright idea was it to invite people for cold beer in this weather anyway. This get-together had better be worth her precious time.

As she stepped into the bar, she sighted Todd. He was quite tall, so it wasn't hard to locate him. Plus he had that kind of pretty boy face that would stand out in any crowd. Wait a minute. He looked different. Oh my God! He cut his hair. Tomike was shocked and dissapointed. Her mouth was left open and the palm of her hand now sat on her forehead.

Why would he do such a thing. Todd's blonde hair which was almost shoulder length was one of his most distinct features. It made him look like he just stepped out of a fashion magazine. But now he just looked, well, different.

He was looking around as though he had lost something when his eyes suddenly settled on her. A bright smile appeared on his face, and then he waved. Tomike smiled back.

He and his friends were sitting in a large seperated section of the bar. They must have reserved it for their gathering. She walked up to them, no familiar faces. Hold on. She spoke too soon, she sighted Linda. She was Todd's on and off girlfriend for a little more than a year now. Last she checked they were off.

Oh well, guess they're back on again.

Who could understand their ways. One minute they were fighting, calling each other names and saying it was all over, the next, they were booking tickets to travel to some exotic place like a newly wedded couple. Tomike mentally rolled her eyes.

Linda never really liked Tomike, and the feeling was mutual. So whenever they met, it was all fake smiles and forced conversations.

"Hey there partner!" It'd been a while since she heard Todd's voice. He barely called when he was on trips because he was 'too busy.'

"Hey there Todd" Tomike replied. "Someone finally remembered me hun?" They hugged each other.

"You know it's not like that naa" Todd tried and failed horribly at making a Nigerian accent.

"Hmm? What was that? "Tomike said as she began to laugh.

"I did good didn't I?" Todd said.

"You did horrible my guy. Never try to do that again, okay?"

"Whatever."

"Why did you cut your hair though?"

"Guess I needed a new look. Nothing too serious. It's just hair after all." he smilled. "You look good by the way. You seem to be handling the weather quite well for someone who is used to warmer environments"

"You know Todd, when you convinced me to move to Boston with you, I thought we'd be here together. But you run away any chance you get and you're never around. It totally defeats the whole purpose of 'having a friend with you in Boston' don't you think? You are the only friend I have and you're never around. Plus I loved the weather in Florida, but here I am slowly freezing to death with each passing day because of you, and you have the guts to tell me I'm handling the weather good. Don't get me angry guy"

Todd was now laughing hard. "I apologize my dear friend, that's why I invited you here so you can make friends that will keep you company while I travel the world."

Tomike rolled her eyes.

"You guys seem to be having fun" Linda said as she walked up to them. "Hey Tomike" as annoying as she was, she was one of the few people that got her name right.

"Hello Linda how have you been?" Tomike forced a smile as she and Linda pecked each other on the cheek.

Nothing to see here guys, just two women pretending to like each other. Nothing out of the ordinary.

"I'm good. After that amazing trip to Morocco, anyone would be good"

"Oh! You guys went to Morocco together?"

"Yes, well not exactly. I met him there. We spent our trip together. Didn't Todd tell you?"

"I didn't even know y'all were back together"

Todd was now looking at the floor, he didn't want to be a part of this conversation. After a few seconds of silence, Todd said, "Okay. Partner, let me introduce you to a couple of my friends. Baby I'll be right back" He kissed Linda as he left with Tomike in his arms.

Tomike looked up at him and raised a brow.

"What?"

"Nothing. But I'll just say, this is why I never poke my business in your relationship, so you guys won't use me to settle las las"

"What does that mean?" he said as he chuckled.

"It means you guys will be fine"

"Yeah yeah. Let's get you a drink shall we?"

"I'd love that. Whiskey on the rocks please."

*****
Thank you for reading this far. I hope you are enjoying the story. I added a prologue only recently, you should  check it out if you haven't read it. I hope it gives you a better perspective on the story.
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