The next day, my friends and I met up at the park. I rode with Alice and Jesse rode with Lucas. It had been a while since we'd all hung out. When we got there, we all got out and went and sat in this merry-go-round that was built like a deep oval with chairs. Jesse and Alice were still going through that 'I'm literally in love with you but I'm not gonna do anything about it because I'm too scared' stage. Lucas was still Lucas but he talked to us about some things he had going on, And then there was me. Alice was the only one who knew about Stripe and I intended to keep it that way. I haven't even told Alice about my recent encounter
with him. I want to tell them but Alice is pushy, Jesse is overprotective, and Lucas, I feel like that one is pretty self-explanatory, but if not, he will literally ruin my life and I'm just not ready for all that yet. Plus, I'm not even sure what it is yet and with the way things are now, I'm not expecting some miracle.
After my awesome disassociation session, I tuned in to a conversation about who was the best Spider-man.
Jesse: " Therefore, Andrew Garfield is the best Spider-man ever".
Alice: "Woah, pump your brakes. Without Tobey, there would be no Andrew. Gotta stick to the original", she said as she winked at Jesse.
Lucas: " Honestly, I think I'm the best Spider-man. My powers are superior and I look way better than all of them. Especially that poser Tom Holland".
We all laughed
Jesse: "I'm sorry, what? What powers", he asked as he tried to hold in his laughter.
Lucas: " The power of good looks and extreme sarcasm".
Jesse: "The only power you have is the power of being delusional", he said as we all cackled.
Me: " On a count of the fact that Spider-man isn't real, you could never be Spider-man. Even if he was real, you're not... .capable enough to be Spider-man and your built like a troll so I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you. Plus, we all know Miles Morales is the best Spider-man".
Lucas: "Aww, your just mad because you're afraid I'll look too good in a red suit. Would you prefer me in a black one", he asked while kicking his legs out and crossing his arms as he leaned against the seat.
I side-eyed him so hard, I offended myself in the process.
Lucas: "I know you hurt yourself, doing that", he said as he laughed.
Jesse and Alice joined him.
Me: "Shut up", I said as I rolled my eyes.
About 2 mins go by and their laughter slowly started dying out and the silence grew. I leaned my head back and looked up at the sky. The noise in my head grew louder than the silence around me. It was happening again...my emotions started crawling back. Tears started forming. My eyes were glossier than ever. I closed them letting the tears run upward. When they did, I caught them with the sleeves on the sweater I had taken from my dad. Looking back down, I noticed my friends looking at me with concern in their eyes.
Me: "Look guys, I'm fine ok. This isn't anything new, I just have to let it run its course. I'm good though". Occasionally, my emotions will run wild because they hate me and want whoever's around me to see me at my lowest. It's been like this since the divorce. Luckily, my friends know not to press on it so they just nodded. Alice, on the other hand, is most definitely waiting for us to be alone so she can play psychologist. I love her but I really wish she'd leave it alone. Just when I thought the silence was getting louder, Lucas intrudes.
Lucas: "So, when are you two lovers gonna seal the deal", he asked while looking over at Jesse and Alice.
Jesse: "Dude!!!!!"
Lucas: "Don't 'dude' me. I'm sick of hearing about how perfect she is and how much you LOVE her, and I'm pretty sure Vi is too. Yeah Alice, You're not exempt either. Vi, get up and let them fix...this", he said while climbing off the merry-go-round. I laughed as I climbed off to join him.
Lucas: "Fix it or walk home", he yelled as he pulled me away.
We walked over to these tables that faced the entire park so we could watch the magic happen. I sat on top of the table and Lucas sat on the bench next to me while leaning against the table.
Lucas: "So, what's up with you?"
Me: "Oh, whatever do you mean", I asked playfully.
"Yesterday, I drove by and I saw you walking with some guy. What was that about", he asked while staring at Jesse and Alice.
I heart dropped into my chest. What was he doing over there? He lives on the other side of town. How could he have seen me??????? I took a deep breath and thought before I responded.
"Oh, that guy. He's nobody, just some NPC that moved in next door. He was asking about the neighborhood and wanted to know how safe it was. Why?"
"Mm".
" What do you mean 'Mm'?"
"Nothing".
"Mhm. What were you doing in the neighborhood at 9 am anyway?"
"Why does it matter?"
"It doesn't".
"Then why'd you ask?"
"UGHHHHHH. Ok, you win. Just drop it".
He side-eyed me and smirked. I rolled my eyes. It made me sick to my stomach.
Lucas: "You two done yet", he yelled from the bench.
Jesse looked over and gave him the bird as he helped Alice off the merry-go-round.
Lucas: "I guess that's a yes. Load up gorgeous, you're riding with me", He said confidently while walking toward his Mustang.
Me: "F….M….L".
I followed behind him as Jesse and Alice walked over to her car.
Lucas: "Where are we headed", he asked while looking amongst the group.
Me: "We can go to mine, my dad would be home for a while anyway".
Alice: "To Vi's, we go then".
TO BE CONTINUED