Everyone eased up a bit after Riley's joke, and the rest of the lunch passed without a hitch. Sadly, I was the first to retire because Laira was waiting for me, impatiently.
As promised, the goodies were waiting for me already laid out on the table once I walked in.
After scarfing down some much-needed cake, we settled down and munched on pretzels. David's mum got a bit carried away over the holidays and couldn't stop making them, so everyone who visited received some, including Laira and David.
Hence the queasy grimace Laira gives me every single time I reach for another one. She's probably eaten so many that at this point can't even stand the sight of them.
Completely understandable since I pretty much feel the same about soup.
" So, " Laira begins cautiously, " What have you been up to the past few weeks," Letting out a deep breath, I try to find a way to even begin.
I'm not the sharing type but for some reason when it comes to Laira, it has been fairly easy getting things off my chest. Albeit, with a few reservations, mostly those regarding Mason. It's still a bit of forbidden territory but it feels good to have everything out in the open.
From where I'm sitting on the bed, with my legs crossed in front of me, I rub my thighs trying to put some order into my thoughts.
I know Laira would have no trouble understanding, but still, for some reason, it is important for me to tell the story in chronological order. I don't know, maybe it is a way to justify the decisions that I've made leading up to this moment. Usually, Laira is very good at keeping these conversations judgement-free, but after Eric's ultimatum, I don't feel that confident that she won't judge.
" Well," I swallow the thick lump in my throat still a bit unsure if I should tell her; mostly because I'm afraid, that once I hear it out loud, I'll realise what a catastrophic mistake I've made.
Laira sighs exasperated when the ensuing silence drags for far too long," Get on with it Lily. It can't be that bad," She leans forward in her chair, her gaze soft on me but demanding.
Nodding," The day that Mason returned from Varan District, Ava stormed into my bedroom and shared her unadulterated opinion of me. Let's just say it wasn't good. The bottom line is that I'm a whore and I should do well to stay away from Mason. There was a scuffle," The memory of it makes me chuckle. Laira's brows quirk up, questioning why it is so funny. So I tell her.
" She grabbed my hair, and I sort of pushed her to the floor. But the girl didn't know when to quit, so when she came at me again, I just put my hand on her forehead to keep her away. She kept trying to swing at me but all she did was tire herself. And then Mason walked in and Ava lied, saying that I attacked her while she was just trying to be a good host," Laira gapes at me, in what I can only assume to be disbelief.
" She is off her rocker," Laira says in disbelief, " Who even does that?" She adds as an afterthought.
" Well," I shrug," She is his fiance and suspects that Mason and I have a romantic past. I guess she felt threatened by my presence. Not entirely unfounded, since at that point Mason and I have shared a few clandestine kisses." Laira frowns at me, her eyes turn sharp and there it is, the judgment I was so afraid of.
" You kissed him?" She almost shouts, but gets a hold of herself and tamps down on her temper.
" It was more like we kissed each other. He didn't exactly turn me down," I should probably stop speaking. Laira bolts out of her chair and heads to the small kitchen, slams a few cupboard doors and comes back with two bottles of wine.
Clearly, she needs it. I hope she has more because I've only just begun.
While she pours herself a glass of wine I keep quiet, mostly because I don't want to see my best friend faint.
She sits down, and takes a large gulp of wine, " Please continue," She waves a hand," I have a feeling that this is only going to get worse," She takes another swig and grimaces.
" He believed her or so I thought," Laira gasps, empties the glass and grabs the bottle instead," So I grabbed my things and left after, I kinda told them to fuck off," Laira giggles, takes a swig of wine straight from the bottle while giving me the thumbs up.
" Honestly, the drama in your life is better than any film I've seen in a while," Loose tongue, means the wine is working its magic.
" Tell me about it," I shrug, " On the way to the academy, I get attacked by V'asay. At first was a scrawny one, which I disposed of pretty quickly. But he also told me that Micah had put a bounty on my head. And now I am being hunted down by everyone. It was a close call that day. If Graham and Mason wouldn't have jumped in to help me," I pause when Laira's face falls, and looks at me horrified.
" Holly molly," She whispers, wide-eyed, astonished " How come no one knows about it if it was so close to town?" Good point.
" What I didn't manage to obliterate, was probably cleaned up by the order. Anyway, that left me pretty dry, and when I woke up, it was so weird. I could hear everything, and feel everything to infinitesimal detail. I could hear Harold weave his Web in the corner," That's just to give Laira a reference point so she could understand how overwhelming those moments were for me. Laira takes another swig of wine, I decide to continue. She will be so drunk by the time I'm done if she keeps at it, that she will probably pass out.
" So I sought refuge to the white plains. To my surprise, I was greeted by some old friends, that are not so keen on seeing me there," Hearing it out loud, doesn't feel or sound like a normal day, but then again I'm not normal, am I?
Wide-eyed, Laira looks at me unblinking," You mean those furry white monsters that want to eat you," Her speech is a bit more relaxed now, and it won't be long before she begins to sway in her seat and slur.
Slipping off the bed, I pluck the bottle out of her hand," Those and only. I think you've had enough for now," I place the bottle on the floor and settle on the edge of the bed. Nerds don't do very well with alcohol. Lack of practice and all that.
She pouts, sighs and slumps in the chair, preparing to fight me but she will not win and she knows it.
" Fine. I can always drink more after you leave. I'll need it. This," She stammers, arms flailing " is.....the occasion requires it. Nobody can listen to this story sober. I sure can't, " Right, definitely not very good at holding her liquor. Not judging, I'm not any better.