It was 8 pm as I left the old Ranch & Grain Feed Mill and said my goodbyes to Sophia, Josh, and Jamie. Nikki didn't live too far from me, so I offered to give her a ride home. On the way, she frantically rummaged through her backpack, looking for something and getting increasingly agitated. I tried to ask her what was wrong, but she was too preoccupied to answer.
"Crap! I don't have any more." Nikki said, turning to me with a question in her eyes. "Beth, can you stop at The Smoke Shop, please?" I sighed and nodded, rolling my eyes. "I take it you smoked up your stash," I said in a witty yet confident tone. "Sure I can swing by there, and this time get something good." Nikki smiled, her eyes twinkling. "I hope you went shopping," she said, "because I will have the munchies after smoking." I gave her a disapproving look. "Look, Ms. I want to eat up every damn thing in the house. You're not doing what you did last week, and yes, I did go shopping." I said sarcastically. "Excuse me," Nikki said in a smart tone, "but I cleaned up my mess after fixing myself something to eat."
As I drove, I looked over to Nikki and sternly said, "The hell you did clean up your mess. You were so stone out of your mind that you left a mess in the kitchen for me to clean up. I promise you do that to me tonight, and I will put all those dirty dishes you used next to you while you sleep. So when you wake up, they are ready for you to wash." Nikki just looked at me like I was joking around and said, "Yeah, right, stop joking around." I wanted to pull the car off to the side of the road when she said that.
We arrived at The Smoke Shop, and I parked the car close to the front door and looked at Nikki like she had lost her mind. "You think I am joking? Try me. I can show you better than I can tell you. Now take your ass inside and hurry up because you are getting on my last nerve," I said jokingly. Nikki got out of my car after I told her that, flipping me off and smiling at me. "I love you too, girl. I'll be right back, and don't leave," Nikki said as she walked inside The Smoke Shop. Despite the fact that she was getting on my nerves, I couldn't help but smile. Nikki and I have been best friends since 10th grade in high school, and I love the girl deeply. It took Nikki ten minutes to get what she wanted and return to the car.
When Nikki got into my car. I pulled away from The Smoke Shop, going towards my home. A couple of minutes later, we arrived at my house, and I was so elated to be home! It was time to turn on some tunes, kick back, and relax for the night. "Thank you so much for letting me stay over tonight. I wasn't too keen on being alone," Nikki said, plopping down on my sofa. "Well, I don't recall you asking if you could come over," I replied with a chuckle. "That was my way of asking. Are you ready to do this with me? This time its puff puff gives, not puff puff hog. Ms., I want to smoke up my stash." Nikki told me as I was grabbing a beer in the kitchen. "For your information, it was hash brownies. I ate all five of them and couldn't remember a thing afterward," I said with a laugh. "Oh, I do remember you running around my house with no shirt on and singing Drop It Low," Nikki said, bursting into a fit of laughter.
I returned to the living room with my snacks and a beer for Nikki. Before I sat down, I noticed a text from Josh. He said his friend would meet us tomorrow at Stone Shack, and I thanked him for letting me know. Josh then texted me back, asking what we were up to for the night. I replied that Nikki and I were just having a beer and listening to some tunes. Josh called me and I put him on speaker. "I'll be there in five minutes. Nikki! Don't drink up all the beer," he said, jokingly. That made me laugh so hard that I hit the floor. Nikki put her beer down and grabbed my phone. She playfully yelled into the phone, "Josh, if you're worried, just stop by the shop and get some more". Josh laughed and said he'd be there soon. He added that we had a three-day weekend and should enjoy ourselves. With that, he hung up, and we both smiled in anticipation of the fun that was about to come.
My date with Richard was certainly not what I had expected, but the three-day weekend was finally here, and I was looking forward to it. After Josh hung up, I sat next to Nikki as she was scrolling through the Sounds of Music app, looking for some soft Jazz or R&B music. I glanced over at Nikki and wondered what she was thinking and saying to herself. I was sure that she was looking forward to the weekend just as much as I was, and I hoped that it would be a great one for us both.
I am so delighted that I don't have to work tomorrow. Unfortunately, things didn't turn out as expected for Beth and the guy she was talking to earlier today. There is someone I am interested in, but she is not aware of it yet.
Since high school, I have grown to love Beth more and more. Every time we are together, I find myself wanting to pull her closer and kiss her. I'm sure she must have some idea of the way I feel, but I am too afraid to tell her directly. I have tried to let her know in subtle ways, but I'm not sure if she is recognizing my hints or not. I want to be able to express my emotions to her, but I don't want to jeopardize our friendship if she doesn't feel the same way.
Josh finally arrived, and Beth got up to let him in when he knocked on the front door. "You finally showed up after taking your sweet time," I said to Josh as he was coming in. "You do see these pizzas I have in my hand. Hint, Hint. I had to stop off to pick them up," Josh replied, laughing as he sat the pizzas on the table in front of the sofa. "Nikki has been doing some deep thinking since she's been here, and I have an idea of what she was thinking," Beth told Josh as she sat next to me. Josh sat on the floor, and Beth took my hand to hold it.
Beth and Josh looked at me with comforting eyes, and Beth spoke in a gentle and friendly tone. "Okay, Nikki, talk to us. We both have good ideas of what's going on, so don't be afraid. We understand." Josh then added with a warm smile, "You know you can always come and talk to me. We have been friends for a really long time, and I feel like I'm your brother more than a friend. I'm here for you, no matter what." Beth then leaned in and hugged me tightly, saying "I love you, Nikki." I hugged her back, wishing I could give her a kiss to show how much I appreciated her support.
"Enough talking," I said loudly as I turned up the music and changed it to Funk. Everyone started to dance, drink beer, smoke, laugh, and joke around. Three hours passed by quickly, and Beth decided it was time to slow things down. She put on some Smooth R&B Jazz music, and I looked at her, wondering what she was thinking. It was a sign that it was time to start winding down the evening and have some more conversations.
I was smiling at Nikki, not quite sure what to say about her. Our friendship was an interesting one; it seemed to take on a life of its own, growing and changing with each passing day. It was funny because I had wanted to be with her in high school, but for some odd reason, it never happened. Still, even with all the crazy things she did, I couldn't help but be fond of her.
I smiled warmly as I told Nikki and Josh, "I'm getting sleepy and going to bed." "Okay, miss boss," Josh chuckled as he left. "Nikki, you know where the blankets and pillows are, and the sofa is all yours," I said, walking to my room. Nikki followed me and stood in front of me, looking like she wanted to say something. "I," she began, taking a deep breath, "love you. Goodnight," she said nervously, running her hand through my hair. I smiled and replied, "Love you too. Nikki, if there is something you want to tell me, you can. You have that look like there is something on your mind." She shook her head, "No, I'm good. Goodnight." As I walked into my room, I couldn't help but wonder what was going through her mind.