Crrrr crrrr crrrr
It rang again, cutting through the calm around us. I hung up, ignoring it. I was not going to let anyone ruin this moment for me. I finally had my best friend back, the chaos in my head finally calming down. I knew the calm wouldn't last long, but I would gladly embrace it while it lasted.
I let go of Sandy, pushing back enough to see her. Her eyes were red, her cheeks flushed.
"You don't have to ever worry about losing me. You're stuck with me. No one could ever replace you in my life. You know you're like a sister to me, and sisters can't be replaced," I whispered, drying her cheeks with my thumb.
She let out a shaky laugh before lightly pushing me. God, I missed this. Her laughs, smiles, pouts—everything. This was the longest I had stayed away from her since the first day we met.
"You wanna go to a party?" I blurted out, remembering the kid from school.
"Party? Right now?" Her eyes popped out, a smile reaching them.
"Yes and no," I said between a laugh. How did I ever survive without her? Her face frowned, lines forming on her forehead.
"Huh?"
"Yes, a party, but no, not right now." Her face relaxed, a flicker of disappointment showing before a smile took over. "I can take you to a club right now if you want."
"No need, I'll wait for the party," she said, the smile never leaving her. She looked perfect, like her face was made for smiling. "Can you cuddle me? I want to sleep now," she added between a yawn.
"Come here," I said, opening my arms for her.
She lay on my chest, my hands wrapped around her as if I was afraid I'd lose her. Sleep slowly crept in, stealing my vision and putting my mind to rest.
The next morning, I woke to something tickling my face. I opened my eyes quickly to find hair sprawled all over it. A weight rested on me, and that's when the memories of last night came flooding in. An uninvited smile tugged at my lips as a warm feeling filled me.
I moved her hair off my face, careful not to wake her up. Tilting my head to the side, I picked up my phone from the nightstand. It was 11:36 a.m.
"Shit!" I muttered, remembering my meeting with Susan. She had sent the details last night, telling me to meet her at Hotel Deluxe. She had a reservation for 12:30.
I carefully lifted Sandy off me and onto the bed. I had to hurry or I would be late. I moved from one place to another quickly, making sure not to wake Sandy. She needed the rest.
By 12:25, I was parking in the hotel's parking lot. I moved fast toward the hotel entrance, only pausing at the reception. I pulled out my phone to let Sandy know I had to meet someone but would be back in a few.
"Hi, welcome to Deluxe. How can I help you?" the receptionist said with a practiced smile.
"I have a reservation. It should be under Susan."
She pressed a few keys on the computer, then looked up, the same smile still in place.
"Table 11. She will show you the way," she said, pointing to a lady waiting nearby, dressed in uniform—a white blouse and a navy blue skirt.
"This way, ma'am."
A minute later, I saw Susan seated at a table in the far corner of the restaurant. She looked just as I remembered, except for the wrinkles starting to show despite the makeup. Her lips curved up as soon as she saw me.
The red lipstick looked good on her, just like always.
She quickly stood when I reached the table, pulling me into a hug. Her perfume hit my nostrils, bringing back memories. I closed my eyes, leaning into the moment.
"Oh my God, you've grown so much!" she exclaimed, bringing me back to the present.
I cleared my throat, letting out a small smile.
"It's been a long time since we saw each other," I said, taking the seat across from where she had been sitting.
"True," she said as she sat down. "Your grandma would be—"
"Stop!" I said, my voice raised.
My hands clenched under the table, my breathing uneven.
"Please," I added, my teeth gritted, my voice unnaturally calm.
It had been years since my grandma died, and yet it still hurt like hell to hear her mentioned.
"I'm sorry," Susan said, her smile gone. The look she was giving me reminded me why I had avoided people from my past.
"It's okay," I said, my eyes fixed on the glass of water on the table. "What did you want to see me about?" I added, wanting to get this over with.
---
"Who did you go meet?" Sandy asked, opening the takeaway food I had brought her. Her hair was all over the place. She had just woken up.
"An old friend," I said, reaching for the remote.
"When did you even leave? I didn't hear you."
"At noon. I was careful not to wake you."
The meeting with Susan did not take long. She told me what she had to say and then left for another meeting. I still couldn't believe what she told me. It was really true that the past always comes back to bite.
"What do you want to watch?" I asked, pushing back my thoughts.
"Something funny?" she said, her focus on the food. "This smells so good," she added, inhaling deeply.
The smell of fried chicken and fries filled the place.
Minutes later, my phone started vibrating in my pocket. I pulled it out to find it was the unknown number from yesterday.
"Sorry," I said apologetically, pausing the TV before picking up the phone.
"Hello," I said as soon as I put it to my ear.
"Hey, Jolls?"
My hand stopped mid-air from reaching for a piece of chicken. My eyes widened, my mouth hanging open. I would recognize that voice anywhere.
"Are you okay?" Sandy whispered beside me, bringing me back to reality.
I let out a breath. Thank God she's okay.
"Jolls," her voice came again. "Are you still there?"
"Yes! Sam? How are you? Are you okay? Where have you been? Did they hurt y—" I blurted out without thinking, question after question.
"Breathe," she commanded softly, cutting me off.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Then small, shallow breaths followed. By now, I was up pacing around.
"Tell me you're okay," I said, my voice on edge.
"I'm fine, Jolls."
"Good," I let out another long breath. "I was so worried."
My eyes met Sandy's, and I saw something I had never noticed before. She quickly looked away, standing up and heading to the kitchen.
"I know. I'll send you my address so you can come over and I'll explain everything."
"Okay," I said, something twisting in my stomach as I looked toward the kitchen. "But you're safe?" I confirmed.
"Yes, I'm safe," Sam said, convincing me. "I'll be waiting."
She hung up.
I stood where I was, relieved and unsure what to do. Should I go after Sandy?
Then she came back with a glass of water in her hand.
"Is she okay?" she asked, the look from earlier gone. "Are you okay?" she asked again when she saw me standing there.
"Y-yeah… yeah, she's fine. I'm fine," I said, dropping down beside her on the couch.
What was I going to do?
I had a party to take Sandy to in a few hours. Then there was Sam—I couldn't wait to see her. And then there was Susan's conversation echoing in my head.
I should just go to the party and forget about Sam.
Forget she ever existed.
Block her contact.
Hell, I should even be packing right now, leaving town and never looking back.
It would be for my own good.