The time read 8:07 pm as I looked up at the stores clock. One thing my egg donor told me before she left was to never make a decision when I was bleeding. Tonight though, I was a mess in and out, for valid reason. I grab some gummy worms and add it to my cart with the other two items: tampons and pain reliving pills. My phone starts vibrating, for a second I think it might be him. I jump and reach it out of my pocket only to see it's my best friend Alice instead.
I answer the phone, sounding slightly disappointed. "What's up?"
"OHMYGOD! You will NOT believe who just asked me on a date!" I make my way towards the self checkout.
"Charlie?" Alice has options and many boys she flirted with, I secretly wish I guess right. Charlie just happened to be her ex she constantly hooked up with.
"No," she sighs, clearly upset about the sound of his name, "his name is Alan"
Alan. Oh god please not my Alan.
"Alan Franks?" I ask hoping she won't confirm but rather deny. I scan my items.
"Yessss! He's such a babe and he's quarterback on the schools rivalry team."
"Ali, there's something you should know.."
"Don't tell me he has an STD!" She's so dramatic. How do I ruin my own best friends happiness?
"I've just..." I pause trying to think of anything and quick while I grab my receipt , "he strikes me as a player you know? From the days I went there he was always talking to different girls, just don't bother. You can find someone so much hotter and better" I sound my best at trying to convince her.
She clicks her tongue, clearly upset at everything I just said. Maybe it worked. She lets out a sigh.
She finally speaks, "can't outplay a player!" She laughs. I could tell this was just another game for her which for some reason upset me.
"I gotta go Ali, I'm about to start driving back home." I quickly hang up before she finishes even saying bye.
I drive my ass to nonetheless his house.
I can already tell someone else is over and his parents aren't home. I try to peek at his upstairs window but the lights off. A few minutes go by and the lights are flicked on. I see their shadows. The girl is thin, has a huge smile, pretty short blond hair, and seems wild. She kind of reminds me of my ex best friend, Katie, from when I went to the same school as Alan. I get the urge to confirm or deny if it's her. What would a crazy bitch would do? Call her parents.
Her dad loved me, almost as if I was his own daughter.
"Mister Jameson, hello, it's me Ariel again."
"Ahhh," I can hear his smile, "Ari, what can I do for you?"
"I was just calling to see if Katie was home, she promised she'd stop by."
"She actually just left for a date like twenty minutes ago, I'll tell her you called."
"Thanks Mister Jameson, say hi to Mrs. Jameson for me."
"Sure will."
Confirmed.
But sadly I lost my cool when I found myself reaching for an old jolly rancher that's been in my purse for a while. I lick then stick to the front window.
And I flee the scene without being seen.
I dial Josh, my best guy friend, who happens to know one important thing: that Alan and I were involved. The only person who knew and disapproved was Anne, my younger sister. Josh was more someone who let someone repeat their mistakes over and over but was still there in the end, he was an amazing friend. Alice always has had the hots for Josh but I guess she got tired of those feelings not being reciprocated.
"I just did something awful." I sigh into the phone.
He yawns. I woke him up. "Let me guess, Alan?"
"This is the last time." I swear.
"You said that the time before. And the time before that. Also the time-"
"I mean it this time."
"Was it illegal?"
"I can explain."
"He's so not worth it. You better not get pulled over."
"I'm two streets away from your house, can I have a hug?"
He sighs, "what are best friends for?"
I smile. "See you soon."
After two minutes I'm pulling up as he's outside in a hoodie and his pajama pants. It's cold outside, maybe forty degrees. I turn off my car and get out as he opens his arms and I run into them. He rubs my head and my upper back. I let out a tear. And then another. Soon, I'm sobbing into his chest.
"I wish you knew how much better you deserved," he sighed.
"Maybe one day," I manage to say through tears.