Me, Him, Us

11

I wake up to a loud noise coming from my phone, I roll over while groaning 

“Who tf is calling me this early” I ask Jennifer but stop when I realize she’s still sleeping. I pick up my phone without checking 

“Hey, can you bring my black jacket I think I left it at Jennifer’s “ I hear Donnies voice. It takes a second for me to realize who I’m talking to before I respond

“Oh Hey Donnie, yeah sure I’ll bring it to the game” 

“Why does it sound like you just woke up?” 

“Because I  did loser” 

“ well I’m glad I called then. The game is in 2 hours and I know you take long to get ready so start moving baby girl” …did he just call me baby girl. Aww we in love already 

“Okay okay Sir I’m going to shower now, I’ll see you later “ 

“Okay bye” 

“JENNIFER!! Wake up we need to start getting ready” I start shaking her 

“Noo you shower first. I’ll go after you” she mumbles 

“Okay fine but you better be up when I’m back” I grab my iPad and shuffle my playlist and get into the shower. I need energy for today so I jam to some Megan The Stallion!! 

10 minutes later I finish and see Jennifer walk in scratching her eyes 

“Morning baby” 

“Mmmmmm” yeah she’s not much of a morning person. 

I go to the room and pick blue high waisted jeans with a white bandeau top, since it’s hot I grab a sweater to cover my shoulders from the heat. When I’m done I go into the kitchen and start making oats for both of us…I’m a slut for oats especially with extra extra milk. 

“Jennifer I left your oats in the microwave baby” I scream from the living room 

“Thank you” she yells 

Maybe I should bring some snacks for Donnie. I remember when I played field hockey my mom would pack fruits and drinks for half time and post match that always made me feel better…I actually haven’t spoken to my mom in a minute. I should call her tonight. 

When I finish my food I wash my dish and start cutting orange slices for the game. 

“Jennifer I’m done let’s start moving so we can catch the guys warming up shirtless” 

“Thirsty slut and I know you just want to see Donnie naked” 

“Maybe” 

“Okay I’m done let’s go” she says entering the kitchen “oooh oranges” she tries grabbing and I slap her hand 

“These are for the team not you” she pouts “fine but only one” she laughs while grabbing an orange. I pack the oranges in Tupperware, grab my handbag and we leave. 

We catch the bus to the fields and spend the whole trip talking about last night, well mostly her because I don’t want to tell her about what me and her cousin were doing…it’s weird. 

“I know you and Donnie were busy kissing the whole night and it didn’t leave much room for talking but did he tell you about Farai” Jennifer asks me as we approach the fields 

“Who’s Farai?” I try ask without letting my jealousy show 

“She’s some girl from Australia, I think they went to the same school idk but any ways she’s moving her today and I think Donnie wants us to all go out for Dinner” 

Why didn’t he tell me about Farai? I think to myself 

“Okay that’s suspect but I’ll wait for him to ask me, maybe I’m not invited” I say sadly 

“Oh relax, I’m sure he’s going to invite you today!” She rubs my back for support “okay stop looking sad, we are here and I don’t think we want Donavan to see you looking sad” she pulls my face into a smile. 

“Okay I’m ready! Act cool Bella it’s just Donavan” I give myself a pep talk as Jennifer laughs at me 

We spot Jeff sitting with empty seats next to him, so we wave and make our way towards him 

“Hey Jeff” I give him a hug 

“Hello ladies. Please sit next to me so I can brag about sitting with the hottest girls in the area” 

“Jeff you’re such a sweetheart” Jennifer says while laughing 

Jennifer sits next to Jeff and I sit next to her so I can have a clear view of the field. I see David and Donavan talking to each other as they stretch 

“Bella you can relax! If you drool anymore we could make our own swimming pool” jokes Jeff

I glare at him “Shut up” they both laugh at me 

Soon the game starts and I won’t lie I don’t know anything about rugby besides the fact you score after the baseline and you can kick the ball in the big H. Otherwise I’m pretty much clueless, so for the whole game I just screamed in joy whenever someone I know got a hold of the ball, and I’m pretty loud so I think everyone was getting annoyed 

“Woahhhh I can’t believe they won! “ I exclaim when the game ends 

“My ears are broken. Thanks Isabella” says Jeff with a mad look on his face 

“Oops I guess I was a bit too excited” I say while blushing 

We walk towards the field to congratulate the guys 

“Well played Gareth you were really good” I say to one of Howard’s close friends as I pass him 

I walk up to the group which includes Jennifer, Jeff, David and Donnie 

“Great game guys honestly” I smile 

“Thanks we could hear you screaming the whole game, it’s a surprise your voice isn’t gone” David jokes 

“Shut up! Why is everyone picking on me?” 

“I loved it” whispers Donnie in my ear 

“Here I brought you guys some oranges to eat” I give them the Tupperware 

David hugs me “Ahhh David you’re sweaty! Don’t touch me” I run away as I see Donnie chasing Jennifer trying to hug her as well 

“You’re both kids!” She screams 

“Hey Bell can I talk to you?” Donnie asks 

“Sure what’s up?” 

“An old friend just moved to Oktogon so I thought we’d all take her to dinner just so she could see and meet everyone” he asks while removing his shirt 

Honestly I didn’t hear a single thing he said, I mean how could I? I just nodded my head while trying to move my eyes away from his huge biceps 

FOCUS BELLA

“So we can meet at Kiraly? Then go to that pasta café you like so much” he continues to speak 

“Yep yep yep” I keep nodding my head like an i***t 

“Okay see you tonight at 7” he hugs me and that’s when I knew… I couldn’t breathe. 

Those arms were like heaven and I can’t even explain how his arms look so hard but when their around me they feel like a cloud that I just want to put my head in over and over and over again. Don’t even get me started on his smell, because it should be ILLEGAL to smell that good after running up and down on a field!

“Bella let’s go” I didn’t even realize that I was standing there like an i***t for like 5 minutes until Jennifer came and saved me 

“On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being crazy stupid how stupid did I look?” I ask her 

“Babe, somewhere around 100” she says laughing 

“Okay that’s just great” 

“Come on let’s go get ready for tonight! We need to get intel on this Farai chick. I’m talking her socials, address, her exes, her blood group! No rock will be left unturned!” 

“This is why I love you” we hug each other and continue walking home. 

“I FOUND HER!” I scream out loud 

“..I’m right next to you” Jennifer says while rubbing her ears 

“My bad” I reply sheepishly 

“Come on, show me!” 

“Okay according to her i********: page she had a boyfriend, well I assume they aren’t together cause she stopped posting him 2 months ago and her first post of him goes back all the way to 4 years ago. I mean she didn’t go a month without posting him so I definitely think they’re not together now” she nods as I show her on my phone 

“Most of her pictures are tagged Sydney, so I assume that’s where she lives which would explain why you’ve never met her because you barely left Melbourne, until you came here atleast. Her birthday is April 10 according to this post and that’s all I got” I lean back into the couch 

“Oh I remember for 2 years Donavan moved to Sydney, after his dad died. That’s probably when they met each other!” She exclaims 

“Dammit! If she’s had a boyfriend for most of their friendship maybe this is their time to try” I sigh 

“Hey, let’s not jump to conclusions yet okay! Let’s just wait for dinner. Speaking of which it’s 5 we better start moving. Let’s dress sexy but casual” she says while walking towards her closest 

“I’m thinking blue jeans, maroon crop top with my black combat boots. I think it’s chilled” I say while scrolling through my twitter feed “I’m not wearing makeup, I’m not in the mood” 

“You better not be letting this Farai girl ruin your mood.” She says while pulling out a cute knee length beige dress 

“Leave me alone! You better wear that dress so I can take some cute photos of you for the gram” she laughs 

“Okay I’m showering, I’ll be quick”. She runs to the bathroom 

Let me just clear up some confusion because we spend so much time at eachothers apartments we each have our own closest, even though we end up sharing clothes because we are the same size which is why I love her so much! Do you know how hard it is to find a best friend who’s the same size with everything? Well it’s hard 

*ping* 

I look at my phone and see a message from Donnie 

“Are you ladies  almost done?” 

I won’t lie to the boy but I won’t tell him the complete truth 

“Almost, in 30 minutes” send 

I put down my phone and go into the kitchen to get water. What am I doing? Do I really like Donnie or am I using him as a rebound from Howard? Did I ever really like Howard or was I with cause it was comfortable? So many questions, and the only one I’m sure about is what Howard and I had wasn’t real, it was safe. Love isn’t safe it’s full of risks and didn’t someone say real love comes when you’re not looking for it, well that sums up this situation with Donnie perfectly. Okay slow down there tiger, I can’t believe I’m jumping the gun talking about love when I’ve only just kissed the guy! Anyways I shake my head and go shower so I can start getting ready. 

30 minutes later we are both down because Jennifer decided to skip wearing make up as well, not that she needs it. I tell her to call Donavan because if this Farai girl is really competition, I should start distancing myself now. 

“Hey, we are ready are you guys done? I know it’s early but why not.” She says as I apply lipgloss 

“Yeah cool see you soon” she drops the phone “I think he was just as shocked that it was me in the phone instead of you as I was, explain this plan of falling back again?” She asks me 

“Well if he and this Farai girl have a thing I don’t want to come in between them and I’d hate to be the reason they didn’t work out” 

“Sometimes you can be like really really stupid but okay” we leave and instead if taking the bus decide to call a cab since it’s kinda cold. 

We arrive at my favorite pasta restaurant, it’s really cool because it’s a chill environment and the food is good and filling. As we enter I see, the guys at a table with Farai there…sitting next to Donnie. 

We walk towards the table and greet everyone and I end up sitting across from Donnie with Jennifer in my left, and Jeff in my right. 

“I rate we order first then talk, because it’s a Saturday it’s going to get full very fast” I say to the table 

“She’s so pretty, I literally stand no chance” I whisper to Jennifer behind our menus 

“I mean yeah she’s gorgeous but Donnie doesn’t go for the typical blonde, blue he’s type I mean! That’s basically every girl in Australia. You are a mix of Spanish and Italian! Exotic, you’ve definitely won the race when it comes to looks”she whispers back, I nod my head 

We order food and talk, and as it turns out Farai is actually a really nice girl. I mean it’s only been one night so I can’t say much but yeah I really can’t even hate the b***h! It would be easier if she was some awful person. Her and Jennifer seemed to be really getting along which is good, because Jennifer rarely gets along with anyone. 

“Guys the nights still young, let’s go get some drinks, nothing crazy just light stuff” Farai suggests to the group 

“Well we went out yesterday but I guess some light drinks wouldn’t hurt any body “ I say. We pay the bill and start walking towards a popular bar among students called ‘Miami’ cause the drinks are cheaper and the music is really good, mostly because they let anyone connect to the tv. I’m walking in front with my arm hooked with Jeff, while Jennifer walks with David and …. Farai with Donnie. 

“Don’t worry, there’s nothing there” Jeff whispers in my ear 

“Am I that obvious?” I laugh 

“No not really. I just know when you’re not yourself” he squeezes my hand 

I put my head in his shoulder “Thanks Jeff, I needed that. Whenever you’re free, come over and I’ll bake you some cupcakes” 

“Ohh the way to a mans heart is through his stomach! Are you trying to win me over? Because don’t worry you don’t have to do much” he says 

I laugh loudly “Shut up! You’re not serious” we walk into Miami and I immediately walk towards the bar, there’s no way I’m making it through this night sober 

“Hey Peter, can I get a whiskey and coke” I say bringing out my wallet, when I feel and arm snake around my waist 

“We’ll take six, I’ll pay” says Donnie “are you okay?youve barely spoken the whole night?” He asks looking at me with worry 

“Yeah I’m fine, just tired from all the screaming I did at your game today”I half smile, he looks at me trying to read my face before just sighing 

“Thanks for coming by the way. What do you think about Farai?” I should’ve known he would ask 

“She’s really nice, honestly. She fits in perfectly with the group” there’s a minute of silence as we both just look at each other before Peter puts the drinks in front of us 

“Thanks Peter”I say grabbing 3 drinks “thanks for the drink btw” I walk towards the table and see there’s a space next to Jennifer and a seat next to Farai, as I walk around giving out the drinks, I didn’t see Donnie come and sit next to Jennifer leaving the seat next to Farai open…wow. 

I sit next to her and the night continues, more drinks come and go and eventually David and Jeff went to go dance with two girls so Jennifer and Donnie went to go get the next round, leaving me with Farai 

“Hey Isabella can I be honest with you?” Oh s**t, this is the moment when she tells me she loves Donnie ! 

“Definitely Farai, we’re basically friends” 

“Okay I want our friendship to start on a clear slate so I feel like I should tell you something…” my heart was beating so loud, I’m sure it was louder than the music. “I used to talk to Howard a couple months ago..” wait did she just say Howard? Woah wtf “..and we would call each other and flirt and I swear I didn’t know he had a girlfriend at the time otherwise I would’ve never continued..” okay I’m sorry WHAT? “..I only realized tonight when you shared that you were dating Howard, and I felt I couldn’t let our friendship continue without telling you” she looks at me when she finishes..

Howard cheated on me?