Ariel was drinking. Coffee that is. She only drinks it when she’s depressed. Yes, it gives her a headache, but unlike its effect on most people, coffee makes her tired and sleepy.
The first guy I really like is going out with my friend. That is so cliché it’s funny. I can’t believe I’m this sad just because Joe agreed to go out with Rainie. Why do I like him that much? I don’t want to, it hurts too much…
————————–
“Ok, that’s simple enough.” Mike muttered to himself, squinted at the page in front of him, and frowned.
“Yes, it is simple enough.” Ariel rolled her eyes.
“I don’t get it-“
“I thought you just said you get it.”
“Let me finish will you? I was going to say I don’t get how you can explain this to me and it makes perfect sense, but those professors who are paid to teach can’t.”
“Ok, one, you skip at least a third of the classes in a semester; of course nothing makes sense, and two, the profs aren’t paid to teach, they’re paid to do research.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. VU’s small, so most of the profs can at least teach a little bit. I heard it’s worse at larger universities.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Well, now you do.”
“I think we’re ok now. I get it. Thanks Ariel.”
“No problem. I’ll get going then. I have a paper due in a few days that I haven’t even started.”
“How about I take you home?” Mike looked at the clock. “shit, it’s 9:30 already. I think the bus to your house comes by every hour.”
Ariel considered it. She didn’t want to go home by herself. Actually, she didn’t want to go home at all. Going home meant she’ll start thinking about Joe again, and she really didn’t want to. Besides, catching a bus at night in the middle of the winter is a nightmare.
“Why not.”
“Awesome.”
———————-
“So…” Mike started. He didn’t know what to say. The car has been dead silent for the last five minutes at least. It was so awkward!
“So what?” Ariel asked him. She didn’t feel like talking.
“I don’t know Ariel.” Mike said truthfully. “You’re usually the cheery one. Are you ok?”
“I’ll be fine.” Ariel smiled a weak smile.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Ariel said stony faced.
“Oh.” They fell silent again.
“So, does Rainie have a boyfriend?” Mike asked after a few moment of silence. Rainie’s a safe enough topic. Ariel really enjoys talking about her friends.
Ariel froze, “why do you ask?”
“Um… Uh…” Mike fidgeted. “I’m just curious.”
“Oh. In that case, yes she does.”
“What!” Mike exclaimed. He turned to look at Ariel to check if she was serious.
“Mike watch out!” Ariel pointed at the red light up ahead.
Mike jerked his head back on the road and slammed on the breaks just in time to avoid pummelling into the car in front of him.
The car after them honked.
Ariel sunk back in her seat in relief, “next time, can you keep your eyes on the road as you drive?”
“Sorry,” Mike said sheepishly. “Rainie has a boyfriend?”
“Yeah.” Ariel looked at him and suddenly realized something. “Oh my God, you like her!”
“No- Oh, why am I bothering to lie to you? Yeah, I like her.”
“It’s a good thing she has a boyfriend then.”
“What? Why?” Mike was puzzled.
“Mike my friend; you are a really sucky boyfriend.”
“How would you know?”
“I’ve never seen you with the same girl two weeks in a row. You would go after any pretty girl. It’s a wonder none has been jealous enough to do something crazy.”
“I don’t go after every pretty girl.” Mike said defensively. “So who is he?”
“You mean you actually don’t know?” Ariel asked.
“Am I suppose to?”
“Didn’t Joe tell you?”
“Tell me what?” Then he got it. “Joe? She’s going out with Joe?”
“Yeah. She asked him out yesterday.” The light had turned green, and mike started driving again.
Joe and Rainie? What the fuck. Doesn’t he like Ariel?
“Oh.”
“Yeah. They’re watching a movie right now I think.”
“Oh.” Mike looked angry, but there was a tinge of sadness too.
“Do you really like her?”
“What do you mean ‘really like her’?”
“Are you serious about her? Or is she just one of your one-week girls? Or worse, just a one night stand?” Ariel looked at him carefully.
Mike kept his eyes on the road. “I was serious about her. I guess plans change eh?”
“Yeah.” Ariel shook her head. “Plans definitely change.”
————————-
“So… do you want to come in?” Rainie asked, then winced inwardly.
“I would love to, but I have a paper due tomorrow.” Joe said apologetically, and grimaced a little. This was awkward. Very awkward. They were behaving like teenagers! To make it worse, it appeared as if there is absolutely no chemistry between them.
“This won’t happen again will it?” Rainie asked Joe with a small smile.
Joe was tempted to lie, then realized that it was probably not a good idea. “I don’t think so. I’m sorry Rainie.”
“It’s ok. I don’t think we’re that compatible.”
Joe stayed silent. He didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing. The conversation turned awkward again.
Rainie looked at Joe. “You like Ariel don’t you?”
“What?” Joe was caught off guard.
“You like her, so may I ask why you agreed to go out with me?”
“I…”
“To make her jealous?”
“Not really…” He hesitated. “Partly. But it’s not like she likes me, she’s going out with Mike isn’t she?”
“What?” Rainie raised an eyebrow, “where did you get that idea?”
“Didn’t she agree to go out with him tonight at the Lotus yesterday?”
“No. I don’t think so. She agreed to tutor him in bio tonight.”
“Are you serious?” Joe looked really happy.
“Yes Joe, get really excited about some other girl in front of me.” Rainie said sarcastically.
Joe sobered. “I’m really sorry. I’m being an idiot, can you forgive me?”
“I’ll consider it.” Rainie opened her apartment door. “See you around Joe.”
“Yeah, see you.” Rainie closed the door.
Oh my God! Ariel isn’t going out with Mike. Good job Joe, mess everything up just because you jumped to conclusions. Joe berated himself. I’ll go find her right now. Joe started walking towards Ariel’s basement. It wasn’t very far from Rainie’s house. Wait, wouldn’t it be really weird if I showed up right now? It’s almost 10 o’clock. What if she’s sleeping? Or Miranda’s sleeping? Ariel would kill me if I disturb them. Joe stopped. I can wait a day before confessing. It doesn’t help my case if I confess to her when she wants to kill me. Yeah, I’ll do it tomorrow then.
Turning, he walked in the other direction to get his car.
————————
Rainie waited for the tears. Getting dumped after the first date with a guy who didn’t even like her hurts.
The tears didn’t come. Rainie was confused. She felt sad, angry, and hurt, but it wasn’t nearly at the magnitude she was expecting. In fact, she felt fine.
Picking up her bag, Rainie started walking to Ariel’s basement. Maybe talking to Ariel about it would help. I won’t tell her Joe likes her though. He should tell her himself.
————————-
“Thanks for the ride Mike.” Ariel said as she got out of his car.
“No problem. Thanks for helping.”
“Hey, you forgot you paid me. I say that gratitude was uncalled for.”
“Yes, get all text-bookie on me now.” Mike hopped out of the car.
The stood on the sidewalk.
“About Joe, don’t worry too much about it.” Mike said.
“What? Who said anything about Joe?” Ariel had her poker face on.
“I know you like him.” He held up his hand when Ariel tried to interject. “I won’t tell him, your secret is safe with me.”
“Thanks mike.”
Mike leaned down to give Ariel a peck in the cheek. Ariel panicked, turned, and kissed Mike right on mouth.
The stared at each other, both too shocked to pull away.
Something dropped, startling Ariel, who jerked away. She looked in the direction of the sound. On the ground, no more than 50 meters away, laid Rainie’s green bag.
“Oh crap.” Ariel swore. She wiped her hand across her mouth, then turned to Mike. “You, stay right there, don’t move!”
“Rainie! Come back!” Ariel started sprinting down the street.
—————-
Thanks for reading! I hope I haven’t confused people too much. Of course, it all makes perfect sense in my head, but on “paper” ^_^”. Please comment and let me know what you think!
This chapter is the beginning of the rising action for the first part of the story. I hope you have enjoyed it so far. To the few of you that have kindly commented, thank you very, very much. It’s great to know people like this story. As usual, please comment, I love comments 
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