Between Ties

Answers

Rhyett's Point of View

So Maverick was Beth's..almost boyfriend. I know that now,

but today was just weird, he didn't talk to me at lunch and practically ignored me for the entire day.

All he did was smoke cigarettes, take notes in class, whisper the correct answers to himself in biology about the properties of phospholipids,

But kept it to himself, when Mr Kane was basically begging for class participation.

His smart,

I thought as I pulled the strap of my dress up, to have it sit comfortably and light, like a feather landing on my shoulder while I had neatened it as I stared into the mirror I had pressed up to a wall in my lounge area.

Yes, maybe I had sat during biology observing him but it was the only class we had together that only him and I were in, out of my group of my new found friends,

Beth's friends.

He's smart whether his a d**k or not. I mean I can sure use that brain for the bio test we apparently had to take this Friday. I'm not really good at biology, I'm not the worst but I'm not the greatest either,

Mature responsible me would probably choose to say home tonight to study for the up coming test but the me that likes to live on the edge wasn't planning on opening one book tonight.

"I really like the this red one." I spoke to my cat who kept passing in and out of living-room and bedroom. I did a little twist, wondering if Xander would like it too,

We did have a date tonight and honestly I was excited I hadn't been on a proper date in like a year but that's only because I hate Californian boys, all they care about is posting shirtless pictures on i********: and trying to promote either their rap career or dream of being a fitness model.

Shallow isn't really my type,

Xander was refreshing and new, and for God's sake he could hold a conversation without talking about himself for 20 minutes or checking his phone every 5.

I'm sure this dress looks okay. I glanced at myself one more time and then at the other 3 options I had laying on my lounge floor in front of me.

The dress I currently had on was a silk, wine red wrap dress with a deep v-neck.

Maybe it's a little too much, it screams boujee dinner date at the Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel, but this was New York and I wanted to go with a more "city girl on the town" look.

Maybe the blue jeans, silk shirt with gold jewelry and my hair tied in a low bun would be kind of cute,

Or maybe-

I noticed a figure in the corner of my eye as if I had seen a ghost catch my attention, I pulled myself to look across the narrow street into the apartment of Jimbo himself. He plopped himself down onto his couch and kicked his feet up to rest it on the coffee table he owned.

In his one hand was a bowl of popcorn and in the other was the remote control of his TV. He clicked a few buttons and almost threw the remote beside him having it saved by his seemingly comfortable couch cushion.

He picked up one popcorn and then tossed it in the air, before catching it in his mouth and then I rolled my eyes,

I hate how people like him can just chill and don't have to worry about studying for a test, he's probably the type to study the day before, and be upset when he gets a 98.

We all know the type.

I watched him laugh at the TV, a laugh that was purely real and had probably hurt his stomach and then I narrowed my eyes,

I wonder what was up,

why he had just decided to shut me out, I want answers and I think I'm deserving of them because before today I had kind of thought we were friends,

Maybe I was naive to think that, but I didn't have a reason not to.

I need answers from him.

I bit my lip nervously as I keep my eyes like slits almost breathing irregularly.

I paused, for a moment.

Just a moment was what I needed to internally talk myself into this crazy idea...

Texting him.

I can get his number from the group chat and ask him what's up with the weirdness but it's already late and I really have to pick out an outfit before 9,

You know, before my handsome date arrives. I smiled thinking about Xander's perfect teeth and cute dimples.

I should get done, I'll ask Mav's at school instead I thought,

My idea was impulsive and I can wait until tomorrow.

I picked up my phone to check the time, froze and then shallowed.

Fuck it, I blinked shaking off any part of me that had controlled my impulsive.

Ima text him, because I know how I get when I don't have answers. It's going to bother me and I'm going to have a shitty date thinking about this and I really just wanna enjoy myself tonight.

I opened the group chat on w******p and then clicked on the list of members.

It said Maverick in grey next to his cellphone number and then I clicked send text.

"Maverick.." I typed and then backspaced shaking me head as if I was stupid "Mavs" I retyped trying to keep it casual, exhaling nervously "it's Rhy, I got your number from the group chat. I have a question."

I swallowed and then hit send as my heart began to fight my ribcage.

Heart, please this isn't the time to be fighting me.

Why was I so nervous. I looked up at him to notice him picking up his phone as a flash of light shon in his face, almost blinding his eyes as he squinted to protect them and then turned the brightness low.

He stared at it for 3 seconds and then placed his phone back down beside him as he continued to stuff his face and watch TV, completely forgetting about his phones existence as if he had banished it down a black hole, never to be seen again.

My face clearly expressing the frustration and irritation I was feeling from this boys actions.

I began to type furiously.

"I can see that you're ignoring me, that's rude. Look up i***t" I rolled my eyes, double texting.

And then he read it, looked up and twisted his neck to notice me throwing my hands up in the air, as I signaled a "what the f**k bro" motion as I got a blank stare from him in return.

He then pulled himself out of his comfortable seat, seeming annoyed that he was missing parts of his TV show as he glanced at it for a moment and then his eyes gave me his attention and rolled them, as he walked towards his glass door.

He then fiddled with something and then in one quick movement he had shut his blinds and then he was gone.

I sighed with deep irritation and then composed myself, trying to keep my cool.

I smiled my tiny angry smile and then began to type again, planning for this to be the last one tonight, I don't have time for this.

"You're actually a d**k. Enjoy your evening." I sent accepting defeat and then tossed my phone onto my bookshelf before proceeding to figure out my outfit for tonight.

Maverick was an ass and I'm done trying to be friends with him, I mean I did nothing wrong what the hell-

I heard a vibration quickly pulling me in and then checked my phone, expecting Xander to tell me he was going to leave his house soon,

I wasnt even sure of what restaurant we were going to, so this made it even harder to choose the perfect outfit.

"What do you want?" My eyes scanned a text from the mean boy himself Reginald George, Regina's twin.

He's pulled up the blinds and his movement pulled me to notice him standing there with  a face of someone that was forcing himself to do something he didn't want to,

allowing me back in.

His lips created a thin smile as he waited for me to reply, standing by the floor length glass window of his apartment.

I looked down and began to type.

"Answers, for starters why do you hate me?"

He looked down as his phone lit up his face.

"Who said I hate you? I don't." He sent as my phone vibrated.

"Then why are you acting weird. Do I have some type of disease that I don't know of? It's like you don't wanna associate yourself with me or even breathe the same air. What's up?"

"No, I just don't think we should be friends." I read.

"For what reason, did I do something?"

"For my own reason and no you didn't. Look, you're dope and I think you and Xander look great together. But you and I can't be friend." I c****d my head back reading this as I looked at him for a moment in thought as he stared back at me with raised brows and then I looked down at my screen and began to type.

"What does Xander have to do with this? Is this about him?"

"No it isn't about him at all, the f**k? Why would it be? he's my bro and I think you're lucky to have him. That's all."

"Is it about Beth?" I asked seriously,

maybe Beth had told him to stay away from me, Im confused I honestly don't know at this point.

"Why you dressed like that? Where you going?" He replied which didn't answer my question at all but I didn't want to press him like I was juicing a lemon for juice and him for answers about what I wanted to know, he wouldn't answer me anyway by the look of it.

So I let it go,

for now.

"A date, with Xander. We going out for dinner." I responded on a lighter note.

"And you're wearing that?" I read and then looked at him as he stared at me with confusion on his face.

"What's wrong with it?" I shrugged.

"It's just...It's kinda too sexy for what Xander likes, tone it down. This isn't LA, Paris Hilton.

"You're an ass lol" I typed playfully "I have an idea though, might be crazy but help me out."

"I'm listening...or in this case reading." He smiled at his phone.

"You obviously know what Xander likes and I'm obviously clueless and desperate for advice, wanna play a game of the perfect outfit for my date with Xander. I have three other options but I have no clue what he likes. Ima try them on and you can tell me what you think he would like most?"

"Like a little fashion show?" He hit send and raised a brow at me and then I nodded.

"What's in it for me?" He sent another message.

"I'll bring you leftovers and dessert." I responded and then I saw him laughing across from me.

"Deal. But remember this doesn't make us friends, got it. I'm doing this to help out Xander and prevent him for questioning why he asked you out when you showed up looking hella whack and also you're Beth's friend so I'm doing this for her too."

"Whatever Mavs, you ready?"

"I swear this is like some YouTube s**t titled my neighbour rates my outfits" I bursted out laughing and then I got another text from him.

"Hold on." It read and then I watched him fetch a stool from his kitchen carrying it as if was as light as bag of chips, with one hand and placed it by the glass perfectly positioned to have it completely face me, and then he grabbed his school bag to pull out paper and a marker before zipping it shut and tossing it to the side.

He picked up a cigarette and a lighter from his coffee table, sat himself down with all of his goodies and then texted me back quickly before staring at me with a cheeky smile while holding the unlit cigarette in the corner of his mouth while brining his lighter up to light it.

"I'm ready."

Maverick's Point of View

I wasn't sure of what the f**k was going on here but I paused Rick and Morty for this s**t.

Is it worth it. No.

Am I still going to do it. Yes.

I don't mind helping her out, I felt really bad for treating her like s**t today, but it's only because I know that I find her attractive and funny. She's the f*****g little mermaid,

Under the sea and all that cute s**t.

Yes, I watched that movie more times then I'll probably admit but Disney is f*****g cool, and hands down Sinbad is the best Disney movie ever.

Fight me.

Yo it's not that I don't want to be her friend but I know Beth would never approve of myself and Rhy being close and honestly I feel a connection with this girl,

Romantic? I don't know,

But I feel like if we were ever friends Beth would be jealous of our friendship. Rhy switches up my mood instantly, I noticed this from all of the conversations we've had and that's the bullshit deep bonds are made of, and I don't want to lose Beth over this, I'd rather be with Beth than lose her over Rhy.

I'll always choose Beth amongst any female, if only she realized that though.

Insecure ass.

I looked at my watch.

I waited for ten minutes since Rhy's been changing in her bedroom while her music softly floated from her apartment into mine to give it that runway feel, I could hear it as it lingered around me. I like her music but it didn't take away the feeling of forever that I had waited for her, I had already finished my cigarette.

Where is she?

Why do girls take so long. s**t, it takes me about five minutes to get dressed and be out the door.

I really don't-

I saw heels step onto her wooden floor as it appeared out of nowhere, her heels were black and had exposed her toes. My eyes trailed slowly, lifting from her shoes to travel all the way up her tight blue jeans and over her white shirt that was tucked halfway in, while the other part hung out loosely.

The music floated like her presence, light but bold.

I created a thinking frown with my lips and then tilted my head slightly to the side, creating slits with my eyes for her choice of option one.

Kinda boring, but thats exactly what Xander's into. He likes that classic, pearl earrings, conservative look. I'm surprised her didn't hit on anyone's grandma yet.

She did a twirl and then did the robot in a goofy way, hitting every beat of the song as I chuckled in laugher and then her laugher followed before she had ended in a sweet smile.

Mmm...

I ruffled through the pages and then held up the number 8 for her to see, and then she did a cute bow and wave before prowling off back into her bedroom to bring out outfit number two.

I smiled at how silly she was while putting back the 8 amongst the other numbers.

That outfit was cute but not really something that would wow me, but I think that's kinda the one for Xander, I don't think any other outfit would top that one.

Xander came from a very respected wealthy family in New York, Beth had made me watch Gossip Girl with her, and Xan for sure gives me Nate Archibald type vibes.

I looked up at her smiling, after sitting here staring into nothingness to see her in the second outfit.

Not bad,

I thought as she did a cute little dance, rolling her body as if she was a Spanish dancer,

Mmm...ya girl got moves Xan.

She giggled. I couldn't hear it, instead only see it as I smiled warmly and then gazed down at the numbers I had written out.

A white ruffled top thing with hanging sleeves, skirt to match the whole ruffle thing and there was like strings hanging from the top and skirt.

I mean it's cute to me, but Xan would think it's ayt.

"6"

I held up and then she flipped her hair, rolled her eyes and threw up her hands before storming off back into her bedroom to get changed.

If it was for me, that was a for sure 7

My phone vibrated and then I reached across, stretching my body from my seat to my couch to see a text from her.

I grabbed my phone.

"Im wearing the last outfit now and I really like it, I think it's my favourite. Don't be too harsh" I read aloud and then saw her pull me from my thoughts before I could even really think anything, 

Her entrance made me look up at her but this time it felt like everything had moved in slow motion.

My eyes slid up her bare legs to the hem of her emerald green tight figure hugging dress.

Her dress had sat at the length of her mid calf, outlining her shape as two thin straps rested on her shoulders like it was stuck to her skin as her red hair dangled loosely against her back in waves, almost gushing down like a river of honey and strawberry milk. The cut of the dress was straight as it sliced a clean line across her chest leaving no room for a tasteless exposure of her cleavage.

It was sexy, she was..

Fucking stunning.

She then twisted as my eyes followed her, spreading all over her to notice that the back of her dress had stings that crossed like a zig zag pattern resting just past the arch of her back.

She faced me again. I breathed in deeply.

There was no little entertaining, goofy dance this time. Just her staring at me as I stared back at her, maybe a little too long.

This one was..

I scratched the back of head awkwardly, as I cleared my throat.

I mean she was...

Who is that. Like who the f**k is that.

Why did I suddenly feel a drop, a sprinkle, a needle prick of envy towards Xan. I was still staring at her as she still stared at me.

I shook my head as if to shake myself out of it as I quickly waved it off, this, her, this feeling,

because maybe I wasn't envious of him, I was just in deep awe at how beautiful she had looked.

Rhyett, this one is obviously my favorite too,

But Xan hates the colour emerald green and he would think that the sexy little slit is too much, although it wasn't. It was tasteful.

5

I grabbed that page and then hated to hold it up but I just wanted to be honest as to what Xander would like.

5,

But if you cared about what I personally thought of it, 10.

Her eyes became almost sad and then she shrugged almost trying rid herself from her disappointment in my answer.

"You should go with option one, the shirt jeans thing." I texted her and then added in a smiley face emoji.

"Was it that bad?" Was her response to me rating the last outfit.

Rhyett you are f*****g beautiful. Don't make me admit it, don't play with me like this.

There was nothing wrong with me thinking she was beautiful. I couldn't help for what I thought of her, I couldn't help for being attracted to her, but I can help for how I act on what I think,

And I couldn't tell her that. I couldn't tell her that she was stunning. So I didn't.

"It wasn't bad, I just think Xan would like the first one better."

"Okay, I trust your word. Ima get changed and head out. Thank you for helping. I appreciate it." She was sweet.

I felt at ease now.

"No problem. Enjoy your date, and don't forget you owe me leftovers and dessert."

I saw her smile as she read my text and then brushed her loose tentacle like strands behind her ear.

"I always keep my word." She responded before looking up at me to give me a look of reassurance and then she left her phone on her bookshelf, turned down the music and went back inside to get ready for her little date.

I unpaused Rick and Morty and then packed all of my things away, putting them back where they had belonged.

I picked up my bowl of popcorn and plopped myself back down onto the couch.

I watched my episode finish and then I saw her come out of her bedroom and walk into the lounge as I twisted my neck to fully see her wearing outfit number one,

Xander's pick.

She put off the main lights and left on a lamp, she then grabbed her phone and her handbag before glancing into my apartment as she had left.

She smiled and then I gave her a lazy wave as I smiled in return.

Her feet carried her out as she stepped one heel after the other and locked her apartment front door as I stared into its emptiness.

My eyes then noticed that she had forgotten to blow out the two lit candles on a small table that neighbour her bookshelf,

Girl, why you trying to burn down your apartment. It don't need more fire than what you already bring to it.

I smirked, slightly applauding myself on that line and then I used my powers to kill its light as I watched the flames die in a moment as quick a snap of a finger before texting her again,

"Text me awake when you get home. I'll wake up for my food. I can eat, and also I like coffee creme brûlée, tell ya boy you ordering that."

"You will eat whatever I bring you Lol. I'm getting into the car, talk to you later." She texted and then I smiled,

As I placed my phone down beside me only to feel another vibration against the side of my leg. I glanced down

Chang.

I rolled my eyes.

"You fired."

I c****d my head back with a what the f**k look on my face reading that old mans text before another one came through.

"Only kidding motherfucker. Don't forget your shift tomorrow from 7pm- 1am. Sweet dreams princess.