It was Friday afternoon, and Ariel was sitting at home by herself. Mira’s was still at school, Ariel was done her classes for the day, and for once, she wasn’t working. She sat in front of the window in one of the many wobbly chairs in the house with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. Despite working in a coffee shop, Ariel does not drink coffee, it makes her tired.
It has been a long day and an even longer week. There were so many things happening! James was getting closer to her, and she still cannot do anything to escape from him completely. He makes her feel anxious and claustrophobic, and she doesn’t know what to do about it. Go or stay? Usually, Ariel would have no trouble packing up and leaving, but she has made many friends in Vancouver… and…
Joe.
Ariel is confused. Very confused. Her feelings were in a jumble, and she doesn’t know how to go about un-jumbling them. She doesn’t know what to say or what to think, and it is driving her crazy. She has never really liked anyone in her life. Sure, she’s got a few crushes in her early teenage years, but she couldn’t seem to bring herself to like anyone after her mother’s death. Maybe there’s something wrong with me. Oh, who am I kidding, of course there’s something wrong with me. But then how can I like Joe? Am I getting more normal?
Do I like him? Why the hell would I like him? He’s a silly, forgetful, irresponsible, and a total player, liking him is really not healthy. Besides, Mira and I are probably leaving soon, and do I really want emotional baggage with me? No, I don’t.
Then this stops here. Stop liking him Ariel. She berated herself. Stop thinking of him, stop talking to him so often, stop going near him, and get over him. Yes, that would work.
Oh damn, that means I have to study accounting by myself again. Crap.
At least that’s better than liking him. Yeah, yeah, that’s right.
Ariel finished her hot chocolate. I hope I’m not lying to myself.
—————————
“He’s cute.” Rainie declared.
“Who?” Ariel asked. The girls were hanging out at Rainie’s apartment, giving each other manicures and pedicures. Ariel doesn’t usually do the whole girl-bonding thing, but she didn’t want to stay home by herself on a Friday night while Mira was on a date.
“Joe.”
“Oh.” Ariel stopped painting her nails for a moment.
“Does he have a girlfriend?”
“Um…” Ariel squirmed. “I don’t think so, but then again, I’m not really sure.”
“No matter,” Rainie waved her hand, “if he does, she’ll surely be history soon.”
“How are you so sure?” Ariel asked, her interest piqued.
“Come on, if you’re a guy, can you be immune to my charms?” She batted her eyelashes exaggeratedly.
“No, of course not.” Ariel said sarcastically. Then her tone turned wistful, “I envy you though. I would never have that much confidence with a guy.”
“Why not? Any guy would be lucky to have a girlfriend like you.”
“I doubt it! I bet the poor guy would want to throttle me in a week.”
“Probably.” Rainie grinned. “You’d scare the guy away in a day.”
“Hey!”
“Seriously though Ari, you’re smart, serious, and are friends with two of the hottest guys on campus. Most guys are probably too intimidated to approach you.”
“You’re saying I’m a total geek, so no guys would be interested in me. But even if a guy is interested, he’s probably geeky, and he’ll be too insecure to do anything about it.”
“Jeez Ariel, twist my words.”
Ariel shrugged, “being single doesn’t bother me.”
“Really?”
“Really. Hey, how about we go watch a movie?”
“Real subtle change of topics.”
“Come on, let’s go!” Ariel lugged Rainie to her feet and grabbed Rainie’s purse, “come on.”
“Ariel!”
“Have I mentioned you have a really nice bag? I want one like it.”
“It’s nice isn’t it? Daddy had it made just for me.” Rainie admired her bag. It is a light green medium sized purse with silver trims along the seams and 2 slinky silver handles. The word “Rainie” is etched all over the bag in an extremely stylized font.
“Right, right.” Ariel agreed as she pushed Rainie out the door. I’m lucky she is easily distracted.
—————————
“Rainie’s cute.” Mike said.
“Too cute.” Joe replied. The guys were at Joe’s house, sprawled on the couch, drinking beer and watching TV.
“Whatever man.”
“You like her.”
“Sure.”
“Sure?”
“Hey, you know my attitude towards girls.”
“Right, the whole, ‘woo them, bed them, and dump them’ philosophy.”
“It’s worked so far, and it’s better than your ‘take every girl too seriously only to have them break your heart’ philosophy.”
“At least I know how to have a serious relationship.”
“At least I haven’t been dumped by my girlfriend for a guy twice my age.”
Joe remained silent.
“Sorry man.”
“It’s ok.” Joe shrugged. “I’m over her.”
“Yeah, right.” Mike was sceptical.
“Really.” Joe said firmly.
“Whatever man, it’s your business.”
An awkward silence ensued.
“Oh, Ariel’s coming over tomorrow.”
Mike raised his eyebrows suggestively.
Joe threw a cushion at him, “Dude, you’re perverted. And you’ll be here, we’re studying, remember.”
“Oh yeah. Man, do I have to? It’s still weeks to the finals.”
“Ariel’s working, so she doesn’t have time to study later.”
“Fine.” A thought occurred to him. “You don’t like her do you?”
Joe feigned stupidity, “who?”
“Ariel.”
“No, of course not.” Joe tried to sound convincing. He didn’t succeed.
“Right, man. Keep thinking that.”
“I don’t like her!”
“Yes you do. This is how you act every time you like a girl.”
“It is not.”
“Dude, you’re starting to sound like a girl.”
“I do not.”
“Make your voice an octave higher; then you’ll sound really girly.”
“Mike!”
“Oh, that’s good.”
Joe groaned, got up, and stomped out of the room.
——————-
Yeah! Another Chapter 
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