I squeezed my eyes and cuddled in the blanket, hoping that I die in my sleep. That way, at least, I will be free from my joke of a life. You might think that I am crazy to wish upon death, but that it's the only thing in life that can give me peace at the moment.
The sound of my friend Carrie's laughter, filtering into my bedroom, seemed out of place. Shouldn't they be offering comfort instead of amusement at my predicament?
"Can you just tell me what's going on?" Lizzy bombarded Carrie with questions. "And why was Mandy limping earlier? Why has she shut herself in her room?"
Indeed, I had been limping when I came home and retreated to my room, seeking refuge under my blanket. It was my little sanctuary, a place where I felt safe.
"Oh my... ha, ha, ha... I'm so... sorry, I just can't help it... ha, ha, ha," Carrie struggled to speak through her laughter, which only intensified my urge to cry. Not out of pity for her, but because it stung my pride and brought back memories I wished to forget forever.
I longed for the times when Carrie's laughter was shared with me, not directed at me. Silently, I hoped she wouldn't reveal anything to Lizzy, that we could keep just one secret unknown to our trio. But my hopes were dashed as Carrie began to reveal all.
Our house, unfortunately, wasn't soundproof, so every word was audible.
""You know, at first, I bought the story of her wanting to join me for a morning run, but then again, it turns out that she was doing all for Nick," Carrie began.
"This is getting interesting," Lizzy's voice showed her interest, and I pictured her settling in to listen attentively.
"As we ran, it was obvious her mind was elsewhere, constantly scanning the surroundings as if searching for someone..." Carrie's voice became a distant murmur as the memory I dreaded came flooding back.
""Isn't love sweet?" Carrie mused, trailing behind me. My gaze followed hers, landing on an elderly couple in their jogging attire. The woman stood patiently as the man knelt to tie her shoelaces.
It was a beautiful sight to behold, and I wished I had my camera to capture such a moment.
"It truly is. I'd love someone to do that for me," I pouted, looking at them enviously, then back at my shoes which coincidentally had undone laces. I should tie them, I thought, slowing my pace.
I nearly came to a halt, sighing deeply, when a familiar figure caught the edge of my vision. Forgetting about the shoes, I strained my eyes to make sure I was not imagining things, and indeed, I wasn't. The anticipation of seeing was finally getting fulfilled, and I could feel the joy taking over my heart.
"There's your prince charming," Carrie's voice barely registered as my attention was wholly captured.
Him.
The one I'd been dreaming of.
Clad in a black tank top paired with grey pants, his muscles flexed in a way that seemed like a personal show just for me. They say desk-bound men have their charm, but to me, a man in motion is the epitome of allure.
His expression, the line of his neck, the expanse of his chest, and those arms—oh, those arms! I could almost feel them enveloping me, offering comfort and protection.
When our eyes met, I couldn't help but beam and wave enthusiastically, like a child spotting a beloved relative bearing treats. His laughter, in response to my overzealous greeting, only made him more endearing.
Nick's mere presence had a way of awakening my inner child.
Perhaps a bit too much, as what happened next was utterly unexpected. Lost in my admiration, I neglected the loose laces, which promptly led to my downfall—quite literally. The memory alone elicited a stifled groan as I returned to the present.
Why did it have to happen today?
The thought of tumbling face-first, especially in front of an audience—and Nick, of all people—was mortifying. Despite my desire to erase the memory, I knew I had to confront it head-on.
As I met the ground face-first, my only wish was for the earth to either swallow me whole or for a merciful blackout. But, as fate would have it, neither occurred.
"Mandy! Mandy!" Carrie and Nick's voices rang out in unison. The sound of their footsteps hurried toward me, and in a moment of panic, I chose the most dramatic option: to feign unconsciousness.
It was a wild idea, but there seemed no better solution. We were in the middle of the park, surrounded by onlookers, and Nick—of all people—had to witness my fall from grace.
The weight of embarrassment threatened to crush me.
"Mandy, are you alright?" Carrie's voice was tinged with worry as she touched my back.
I remained silent, committed to my act of 'unconsciousness.'
"Hey, beautiful, can you hear me?" Nick's voice was gentle, almost as if he sensed my pretense.
Internally, I berated myself for my theatricals, yet outwardly, I maintained my ruse.
Nick's chuckle broke through my thoughts, and I felt a gentle pat on my head.
"Planning to make the ground your new home?" His tone was light, teasing.
"It's more appealing than facing reality," I whispered, barely audible.
"Are you injured?" he probed further.
My pride, ego, and self-esteem screamed 'yes,' but I whispered, "No."
"Then, shall we get up?" he persisted, and I could almost hear the smile in his voice.
"I'd rather not. This is mortifying," I confessed, regretting my choice to 'faint' rather than face the situation with laughter.
"Come one, Mandy. Stop being stubborn and get up. We are drawing a crowd here." Carrie urged, but I felt paralyzed by humiliation. Never did I think that everything would turn out like this.
"How about this," Nick spoke, and I was all ears. " Let me carry you home. You can use me by hiding your face so that no one can see you," Nick proposed an easy way out.
The offer was tempting, a perfect escape from my embarrassment. Yet, the irony was not lost on me; the one person I didn't want to see me like this was now my proposed savior.
"Unless you want to become the talk of the town, I suggest you get moving," Carrie, this time, spoke sternly, chastising me for my stubbornness.
"Hey, you. Delete that photo!" Her sudden outburst at a bystander snapped me out of my self-pity.
"Are we shooting a movie or something? Is this a drama you are supposed to watch? Delete those photos immediately, or else I will sue you for invasion of privacy. And don't think I am bluffing. I know every one of you and where you live, so if I see this incident circulate on social media, I will come after you." I could hear a commotion upon Carrie's threat.
Even though I was still on the ground, I could not help but chuckle at my best friend's over-protectiveness.
"Quite a friend you have there," Nick commented, and I agreed with him.
Before I could respond, I was swept off the ground, cradled in Nick's arms. I instinctively hid my face in the crook of his neck, my arms wrapped securely around him. I was damn sure that my face was covered with dirt, and I did not want him to see me like that.
"Just don't bite me," he joked, a playful reference to a past. I blushed, tightening my arm around his neck at the memory of that the other day.
Feeling a little rebellious, again without the care of the world, I licked his neck playfully to show him that I do not like being commanded, only to feel him stiffen for a moment before his chest vibrated from his low husky chuckle.
"Bad kitty," he teased, a light tap on my back making me gasp. My shock must have been evident as I looked up at him, our eyes locking in a moment of unexpected intimacy.
"Did you just...spank me?" I asked, my voice a mix of shock . I had always been skeptical about the allure of such... playful punishments and thought I'd be outraged if it ever happened to me. Yet, there I was, feeling a strange warmth spread through me, a bashful fuzziness that was entirely unexpected.
I braced myself for one of Nick's signature smirks, but instead, I was met with a look of concern.
"You're hurt," he observed, prompting me to quickly shield my face, as if that could hide my bruised ego.
"It's just my pride that's wounded. You weren't supposed to see that," I mumbled, shifting slightly in his arms.
"I'm just glad I was there to be your knight in shining armor," Nick said, his words slicing through my self-deprecating thoughts.
"Yeah, the perfect damsel in distress," I quipped, drawing a hearty laugh from him.
"Is there any chance you could forget what happened today?" I whispered, his scent—a mix of sweat and something uniquely him—somehow soothing.
"Forgetting you would be quite the challenge," he replied, his voice so soft I wondered if I'd imagined it.
After a pause filled with unspoken words, he offered, "Should I take you to my place to tend to that bruise on your forehead?"
The thought of being under his care was tempting, but...
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll manage. Just take me home," I insisted, not ready to reveal any more of my disheveled state. With a grunt of acknowledgment, Nick carried me to my doorstep.
As Lizzy opened the door, still groggy, I seized the opportunity to escape from Nick's arms and dashed inside, nearly knocking her over in my haste.
"Ouch! Hey!" Lizzy's protest faded as I vanished into the sanctuary of my room, seeking refuge under my blanket, away from the world's cruel gaze.
The echo of laughter from Lizzy and Carrie yanked me back to reality. Now that they knew the whole story, their amusement was unrestrained. Their laughter wasn't delicate or contained; it was wild and unbridled, like a tempest, not a gentle stream. They laughed as if there was no tomorrow, sometimes so hard they'd end up gasping for air, clapping, or even collapsing to the floor in hysterics.
If they're laughing with you, it's a joy. But at you? It's a different story—one that can bring tears to your eyes.
And that's exactly how I felt—like crying.
Fed up with their teasing, I stood up, marched into the living room, and fixed them with a glare. They paused, like deer in headlights, then erupted into another round of uncontrollable laughter. I closed my eyes, summoning every ounce of patience within me.
Lizzy's laughter was unstoppable, her words tumbling into giggles until she surrendered to the hilarity, collapsing onto the floor with her hands clutching her stomach.
There's a saying that goes, "If you can't beat them, join them." Despite the laughter being at my expense, it was infectious, and before I knew it, I was swept up in the absurdity of it all, chuckling along.
How does an adult like me manage such a spectacular fall? In the movies, the heroine gracefully falls into the arms of a dashing lead, or their lips meet in a serendipitous kiss. Reality, it seems, prefers a more... grounded approach.
"The universe is definitely on your side, Mandy," Lizzy remarked, her laughter subsiding.
"You mean against me?" I retorted, sinking into the couch with a pout.
"No, it's all working out for you. Your disheveled encounter with Nick made an impression, then there was the gecko incident that landed you in his arms, and now, he's carried you home. You've captured his attention," Lizzy said, a thoughtful stroke through her hair punctuating her point.
I chewed on my lip, considering her perspective. It was true; these embarrassing episodes had somehow brought Nick and me closer in just three days than most would in weeks.
"I'm with Lizzy on this," Carrie chimed in. "Nothing in life is free. Sometimes, you have to give up a little dignity to gain something precious."
Her words made sense somehow, but still...
Out of nowhere, Carrie's question cut through our reflections. "Girls, what's your take on pastor's sons?"
Lizzy and I gasped in unison, "What?!"