chapter 9 • “come out with us?”
836 Words
"Leila is f*****g crazy! Reckless as shit."
Talia had her hand around the back of Dana's chair, her chortling and wide brown eyes showing just how much she was enjoying the conversation.
In the past few minutes, the brunette had strung together more curse words than Dana had heard in the past year.
Leila threw her head back, a light laughter falling from her lips. "She would have puked in the car but that's not my problem. Archie would have had a nice time getting it cleaned." She finished with a shrug.
Talia turned to Dana, pointing the piece of chicken held between her fingers at her, "you don't want to piss her off, trust me."
Dana shook her head, a silly grin on her face. "I wouldn't dare."
She and Leila were on their way to being friends, she'd invited her to lunch and let her into her crew. She'd never do anything to jeopardise it. Finally, she wasn't staring at her from a distance. She was right opposite the beautiful, smart and fun Leila Kane.
Her admiring thoughts were interrupted when two fingers poked her ribs. She jumped in her seat, causing her open bottle of water to tip over.
"It's just me," Avi laughed, sitting next to her. He reached for the bottle of water and capped it. "Sorry for the spill."
Dana looked away from his bright smile, her own having been wiped off her face. She focused on soaking up the spilt water on the table, using the time to figure out how to act with him. Leila wouldn't take too kindly with her being cold, but just the day before he'd upset her with his boundless behaviour.
"Dana?"
She immediately looked up, meeting Lian's gaze.
The blonde had her iPhone in her hands, her eyebrow raised at Dana.
"What?"
"I asked if you'd like to come out with us tonight."
"It's going to be f*****g lit." Talia sang before stuffing another piece of chicken in her mouth. "You have to come!"
Dana could feel Avi and Leila's eyes on her. Lian had gone back to typing on her phone. Her legs twitched in anxiety and her armpits began to moisten with sweat.
"I'd love to come," she squeaked out.
"I'll pick you up," Avi smiled down at her. Dana gave him a small smile, her mind running wild.
Now she had two things to worry about; what Avi would try on the way to the party and how the hell she'd sneak out for more than the measly few minutes she'd done the last time.
••••
Dana tossed her knapsack onto the floor of her room, flopping down onto her bed with a huff. She shut her eyes, and massaged her temples in a bid to ease her migraine. If anything, she'd think herself to death one day.
At the sound of her phone ringing in her bag, Dana’s heart skipped a beat. The only person who'd been calling her lately was Avi. She should probably get ready to tell him she couldn't come. Now she was a flake too.
She sighed as she got up and fished out her phone from her bag. Her eyebrows furrowed when she saw her mother's caller ID.
"Mom?"
"Honey, come downstairs."
"Okay."
As she walked down the stairs, Dana wondered the exact moment her mother had become so tired and dull. She remembered the woman who'd yell at her to come downstairs and who always had something animatedly.
When she looked at the mother who was asleep or tipsy by eight in the evening, she saw a stranger. Ironically, the only time Dana caught a glimpse of her mother was when her father was home.
"Yes, mom?"
"I got a contract, honey."
Dana's squealed and jumped. "Really? Mom! That's great." She'd finally have something to keep her busy. Her mother hadn't gotten a catering job in ages, maybe this would breathe some life back into her.
Her mother cracked a smile, the sides of her eyes crinkling. "Yeah," she rolled her eyes. "Rosie, remember when I catered her wedding? Her cousin is getting married and she wants me to handle it."
Dana's face hurt form smiling so hard. "That's so great, mom!"
"It's in New York though and she's asked me to come," her mother said tentatively.
"Well, that's not a problem." Dana shrugged. She and Cora could take care of themselves.
Her mother giggled. "Okay! Well she's booked me a ticket and I'm leaving today!" Her mother pulled her into a hug before starting up the stairs.
Dana watched her go, brimming with excitement. Finally.
This was her mother.
She went to the counter and opened the box of pizza that sat on it. As she took the first bite, something registered in her mind.
Her father was off on another trip, her mother was leaving today... Nothing was holding her back.
She'd be with her new friends tonight!
Dana squealed, jumping up and down, feeling like she'd explode from excitement.
- Writer
