A girls talk
1244 Words
*Tala*
"I just don't understand. A week ago, my life was simple and uncomplicated. Now, there are guys everywhere, and I've started fantasizing about... you know, stuff." I sink down onto Halyn's bed with a sigh.
"You mean... s*x?" Halyn says, her eyes twinkling.
"I don't really know," I reply, pulling a pillow over my head. "I haven't really dealt with guys since I married little James in kindergarten."
Halyn laughs. "Just tell me how you feel, doll. I have been there myself, maybe I can help you figure things out."
"Jacy is so sweet. I can be myself when I'm with him, and it was like... I don't know. There was this moment when I thought he..." I poke my head out from behind the pillow. "No, it's stupid. Of course, he wasn't going to do that... but there was this moment just before my mom showed up and again before he left."
"What kind of moment?" Halyn pulls her legs up under her and looks at me. "Tell me everything."
"I'm not sure. He was going home, and he hugged me, like a 'thanks for the help' kind of hug, I think," I try to explain.
She nods, her gaze fixed on me. "What did he say?"
"Um, 'Thanks for the help!'" I shrug.
She rolls her eyes. "Ugh!
“Sorry, but that's what he said." I shrug again.
"So, what kind of moment was it then?" she asks.
"He kind of kept holding me, and we just... looked at each other. Like... you know," I explain.
"Oh, that's so cool!" Halyn claps her hands. "You definitely had a moment. He is so interested in you."
"Do you really think so?" I ask, my hope rising.
She nods. "Oh yes, most definitely... What happened then?"
"Nothing, he just went home for dinner. Oh, I so wish he would have kissed me," I say, pulling the pillow back over my face.
"That's okay," Halyn says with a soft laugh, placing a hand on my knee. "He is kind of a hottie. Hell, I wouldn't make him run too many circles around my bed."
"But why do I keep thinking about Noah then?" I mumble into the pillow.
"That's something completely different, doll," Halyn says, her tone serious. "We have all gone through the Noah phase. All girls want the bad boy, want to tame him. There's something attractive about them. But you know what?"
I pull the pillow away, shaking my head.
"It's always the sweet guy you end up with. He is not going to screw you over," she says with a small shrug.
"You sound like you have experience in that area," I remark.
She makes a face. "Oh, don't get me started."
"Well, if you want me to navigate all of this, you have to tell me everything... to prepare me, you know," I say.
"Okay then," Halyn sighs. "It's almost the same damn story every time. You meet a guy, he sweeps you off your feet, and you believe in his bullshit. The moment you give him what he wants, well, then you are no longer interesting, and he's out of there."
"That doesn't sound promising," I say, furrowing my brow. "Are all men like that?"
"It's never like in the movies. Take my ex, for instance," Halyn says with a sarcastic laugh. "I was crazy about him, and he was crazy about me. Or so I thought. Until the day I found him sleeping with my ex-friend."
"What a complete bastard," I say, shaking my head.
"That's what you get in return for giving a man your heart," she mumbles.
I try to comfort her. "He will probably end up as a lonely old man. You know, what you give out comes back threefold and all that."
"Uh, what?" Halyn stares at me with curious eyes.
I bite my lip, remembering the prejudice people have about Wicca according to the web page. "It's something I read about, you know, karma, laws of nature, and all that."
"Are you reading about witchcraft?" Halyn narrows her eyes, studying me.
"It was just something I stumbled upon on the internet, totally coincidentally," I say, sending her a nervous gaze.
"Holy s**t," Halyn exclaims, sounding excited. "First boys, and now paganism... Oh, you should definitely talk to Marty."
"Marty?" I ask, puzzled.
"Yeah, Marty. You know, my friend from nosferatu. He's into all the witchcraft stuff. He even has this club or whatever it's called. They meet up in the Whitegrove," she says, seeming almost elated.
I make a face, not knowing how to react.
"Oh, shut up, Tala. I have known you for more than a year now, and I have always been the wild one," she says, taking my hand. "And now suddenly, you are kicking ass."
"No, stop it. I'm not into paganism, and it's not like anything will ever happen with either Noah or Jacy," I say firmly.
"And why not?" she challenges me.
"Uh, hello, have you seen them? They are both like... extremely handsome. Nah, it's not going to happen," I say, making a face. She's about to interrupt, but I continue. "I just want to understand what's happening in my mind."
We sit in silence for a moment before I gather the courage to ask, "Can I talk to you about something weird without you freaking out?"
"Sure, of course. I promise to be a good girl now," she says reassuringly.
"Okay, I might have had some... mysterious experiences this past week," I begin.
"In what way are they mysterious?" Halyn asks.
I proceed to tell her about the two episodes with the wind. "It was kind of cool, but also a bit scary in a supernatural way... It has to be something I'm just imagining, right?"
"Honestly, I don't really know anything about those kinds of things. But I'm sure Marty can help you," she suggests.
Suddenly, her face lights up. "Maybe that's how you suddenly became a babe magnet. Maybe it means you are a real witch and you can make them fall helplessly in love with you with your witchcraft!" She pretends to faint dramatically.
"Wiccan," I correct her. "And I definitely haven't used witchcraft on anyone." I remember my embarrassing encounter with the ‘royals’. I glance at my phone, checking the time, and notice a message from Jacy flashing on the display. ‘Hi, I had a nice time today. Are you free tomorrow?’
With my hands slightly shaking, I show the text to Halyn, who starts dancing around in a victory dance. "This is so good... more gossip for me tomorrow!"
"But..." I begin to protest.
"Oh no, you are saying yes," she interrupts, giving me a stern glare.
I let out a slight groan and text him back, ‘Sure, we can do that. I will be home around noon, so you can come whenever it suits you.’
Putting my phone back into my pocket, I stand up. "I gotta run, Halyn. Promised mom I would be a good girl and be home for bedtime."
"Uh, bummer," she pouts. "You have to keep me updated... It's so cool how you are just blooming, diving into all this, guys, and supernatural power."
"Yeah, can we dial back the drama, Shakespeare?" I chuckle. It's already a bit overwhelming, and I don't need Halyn to amp up the stress. "See you tomorrow."
"Sure, see you, doll," she says with a grin.
- Writer
