GOING FOR DINNER
1394 Words
SKYLAR
I stared at my reflection in the mirror longer than necessary, tilting my head slightly to the left, then to the right, as if the angle might suddenly tell me whether I looked ready to meet Levi’s parents.
My fingers smoothed over the fabric of my dress again. It already fits perfectly but wasn’t the problem.
Levi had called earlier to tell me he wanted me to come over for dinner with his parents.
He apologized repeatedly, saying he knew I would cook for him and that he had wasted the food and broken his promise.
That, however, was a lie. I never cooked. I had not been myself all morning. No matter how hard I tried to comfort myself, telling myself that it was only a small suspension and that I would be fine, the feeling refused to ease. I still felt terrible. It should have made things easier, but it did not.
Now I am frustrated, and I did not want to go to his parents’ house, not after taking the blame for their son’s suspension. Being there would only make me feel even more guilty.
William was also not making things any better. He had texted me to come to his villa, and in another wave of frustration, I had angrily typed out a reply. Now he was not responding at all, and that silence was making me even more worried.
“Hey!” I flinched as I glared at my friend from the window.
“I have been searching your fridge like my life depends on it.”
I turned just as Ashley strolled toward me, already biting into an apple, her other hand gesturing wildly as she dropped onto my bed.
“I was hoping to see my grilled chicken,” she continued through a chew. “Why can’t I find it?”
I stared at her. “Grilled… chicken?”
“Yes,” she said, pointing the apple at me. “Your boyfriend told me you made one. I came here fully prepared to eat it. So where is it? Did you eat it without me?”
I coughed, caught somewhere between laughter and panic.
For a split second, a thought crossed my mind that made my stomach tighten. Was Levi checking on me? Making sure I had actually meant my words.
“Hold on… let's start with he isn't my boyfriend anymore but now my fiancé.” I corrected her and she rolled her eyes.
“That doesn't answer my question.” she insisted.
“I thought you were not coming today,” I said quickly. “So I threw it out. I don’t even eat grilled chicken.”
This made Ashley freeze. “You threw it out,” she repeated slowly.
I forced a smile and twirled once in front of her, trying to redirect the entire conversation before it turned into something else.
“Do I look okay?” I asked. “Elegant enough to meet his parents?”
She squinted at me. “Do you know how much hope I placed on that grilled chicken?” I dropped my arms this time.
“Ashley.”
“You don’t understand,” she continued seriously. “I came here hungry.”
I groaned. “You are stressing me out. My fiancée is already mad at me because I don’t cook. The one time I cooked, it was grilled chicken, and now you are acting like I committed a crime.”
Then she pointed at me angrily. “You did.” I blinked at her severally times. “Are you seriously mad over chicken?”
“Yes, Sky,” she let out, nodding. “I am mad. I am famished and your fridge is empty like you survive on leaves.”
“Salad,” I corrected.
“Whatever! Now I can’t even go to your boyfriend’s place because of his parents so I am stuck here starving while you leave me alone.”
I sighed, tying the ribbon at the back of my dress.
“And you came back from traveling without telling me anything,” she added suddenly. “I had to hear about your suspension from your boyfriend.” I froze at this moment.
“Suspend…”Then it hit me, another wave of crash out was coming from her now and it's very valid.
I turned slowly. Ashley had stopped chewing. Her eyes weren’t playful anymore.
So that’s what this was about, she wasn't mad at me because of the chicken but because Levi had told her this news.
I exhaled and pushed her toward the bed as I sat beside her. “I didn’t want to worry you.”
She laughed once, and it was humorless. “Funny. Because I am worried anyway.”
I reached for her hand. “It means a lot to me. I was trying not to think about it. Besides, it’s just three months. A break and a holiday with my fiancé.”
She stared at me so hard I swallowed.
“Sometimes,” she said quietly, “I wonder if you really see me as your friend.” and that hurt more than I expected.
I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around her. “You are my best friend. I am sorry I didn’t tell you. I cried about it for days and thought not to let it affect my days. The agency also handled it quietly so it didn't even go public.” I tried to assure her.
She pulled back now staring at me. “But the mistake didn’t come from your side. It came from Levi.” I stiffened at this moment, of course she must have watched to play and noticed after all she is my bestie and would only support me.
I hugged her again, tighter. “I get that you always have issues with him but he has done so much for me. If this suspension were to be for him it would hurt him more and might even destroy his career. But I can handle three months without any issues.”
She sighed and hugged me back, patting my back softly.
“I am sorry I flipped on you,” she murmured. “I was shocked and angry. Mostly because I heard it from him instead of you.”
I laughed weakly. “So it wasn’t really about the grilled chicken.”
“Oh, it absolutely still is,” she said, pulling away. “You used my name to live fancy and still didn’t think about me before trashing it.”
I smiled at her “Next time I will make you a whole bowl of chicken.”
She grabbed my hands. “I just don’t want you carrying everything alone. I want to be there for you like you’re always there for me.” I nodded appreciatively.
Then she rolled her eyes. “Also, I am still mad about the chicken.”
“Ashley.”
“Fine,” she said, waving her hand. “You look stunning. Levi’s parents won’t survive you, so go be more of their favorite.”
“Thank you,” I smiled.
Then a knock sounded.
“That must be Levi’s chauffeur,” I said, standing.
“Get me grilled chicken when you come back!”
“Go to your apartment,” I yelled over my shoulder. “Levi might want to spend the night.”
“Well I won't and that’s your punishment!” she shouted back. I left before she could say more.
“Miss Morgan?” the driver asked politely as he tried to clarify.
I nodded at him and he smiled back.
“I will take you to the car.”
The parking lot lights flickered softly as we walked. My heels clicked against the pavement.
“Wow,” I said, stopping short. “I didn’t even know Levi got another car.” It was a mustang.
The chauffeur said nothing and only opened the door.
The interior was beautiful. Luxurious. I slid in, adjusting my dress, and also felt so important inside the car as the door shut behind me.
“You smell nice.” My body froze at once hearing that voice.
Slowly, I turned my head and there he was sitting beside me, slamming my heart against my ribs.
“What the freaking hell, William?”
- Writer
