Reputation

Sunny had been sound asleep in her bed that morning when the phone started to ring.

Sunny woke up and took the call. It was her best friend, Layla Bailey.

Layla and Sunny have been friends for a long time. They attended Raven High and were pretty much inseparable. They had been through so much together, from the rough patches of their teenage years to the highs and lows of adulthood.

Layla was a tomboy with chin-length brunette hair and hazel eyes. A lot of people believed that she was gay, but it was never really confirmed, and sometimes Sunny got a stigma hanging around her.

Layla had called Sunny to make plans for a small Ocean City trip for the first weekend of August. The two friends had always loved spending time together, especially at the beach. They would spend hours lounging in the sun, playing in the waves, and exploring the boardwalk.

After taking a deep bong hit, Sunny replied to Layla on the phone, "Yes!" I can't wait to be at the beach with you. " Sunny loved her morning bong hit; it helped her relax and enjoy the day. She knew that some people, like her mother, judged her for smoking weed, but she didn't care. It was her way of coping with anxiety.

Layla then said, "Me too! "We can just relax and soak up the sun all day."

The two young ladies giggled and talked on the phone for an hour , excitedly making plans for their upcoming trip. They decided to stay at one of their favorite motels, where they could walk and get meals together and have a comfortable place to rest after long days in the sun. They also made a list of all the fun activities they wanted to do, like choosing amusement rides to ride on the boardwalk together and trying out new restaurants in town.

Towards the end of the call, Sunny asked, "My mother is making her heavenly meatloaf with carrots and sour cream mashed potatoes. Oh, and Finn is stopping by! Would you like to join us as well? " I really do miss you, and I’m sure my mother would be pleased to see you. "

Layla replied, "I will be there! I'm excited about those mashed potatoes. ""They are the bomb! "

Layla also lived in the Ashville area in an apartment, so getting together was effortless.

The two girls hung up the phone and went about their day until it was time for Sweeney Meatloaf's dinner.

__

Sunny was getting ready in her room while listening to the radio. The song "Easy Lover" came on as she was dancing around, applying her lipstick, and pulling her hair up into a high ponytail.

She was looking forward to the gathering; her friends were always a source of comfort and joy for her.

_

Sunny joined her mother and brother, James, in the living room shortly after getting ready.

Mrs. Sweeny then said, "Everything is prepared and ready; it just needs to be heated back up. Fefe should be here soon! "

Sunny replied, "We have one more guest coming. My friend Layla is stopping by. "

Mrs. Swenley replied, "Oh, good. "I always enjoy a visit from Layla."

Then James frowned and said, "Layla is great, but she’s a little obsessed with Sunny!" He then added, "And she's just bad luck!'

Sunny gave James the death stare and said, "That’s not fair. "We have been friends forever. " Did you ever stop to think that maybe we are just both fond of each other? "

James sighed, realizing he had been too quick to judge. But he couldn't help but have a bit of a grudge against Layla since it was her who got into a car accident with his sister a few years ago. "

Mrs. Sweeny looked at both of them as she said, "Layla is a great girl." I remember, back in the day, having a girlfriend named Dolly, and we were inseparable. "That's just how girls are!"

James slightly grinned, trying to hold back his feelings.

Mrs. Sweeny continued, "James, "I know you love your sister, but there's no need to act like a baby. You didn't mind accompanying them on their Ocean City trip last year, now did you?"

James sighed and replied, "I do like Layla. ""I even consider her my friend, but sometimes Sunny gets a bad reputation for hanging out with her."

Sunny stomped away to the kitchen and yelled, "Nobody cares, James! "

He knew that his words had hurt her as she stormed off, but he couldn't help feeling frustrated. It seemed like every time he tried to defend his sister, he was met with the same dismissive attitude. He knew he was terrible at expressing his feelings, and sometimes just saying what came to mind was the only way he knew how to communicate. The car accident may not have been Layla's fault, but he could not help but blame her for it. He knew it wasn't fair, but he couldn't shake the feeling of anger and resentment. He also knew that Sunny had been struggling with that stigma since high school, and he didn't want to make things worse for her, but he just couldn't help but overly care. Sunny always took him under her wing, as if she gave outcasts a reason to feel worthy.

He took a deep breath and followed her into the kitchen. "Sunny, I'm sorry," he said softly. "I know it's not fair for me to judge your friends like that. You should be able to hang out with whoever you want."

Sunny looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears. "Thanks for that. I know you care, but you need to loosen your grip a bit," she said.

James nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.

When Sunny and James returned to the living room, Mrs. Sweeney pulled her blonde hair back from her face and said, "I hate it when you both argue. " She then sighed and continued, "Now let's bring plates out to the table."

__

Soon there was a knock on the door.

It was Finn.

Mrs. Sweeney opened up the door and said, "There's my boy." How are you? "

Finn replied, "I’m doing great. "I really can't complain!" as he gave Mrs. Sweeney a tremendous hug.

Mrs. Sweeney said, "Come this way; dinner will be served soon. We are just waiting on one more guest. "

James shouted, "Can you guess who?" as he then quickly looked down at his feet, already regretting what he just said.

"Goddammit James! " Sunny said , rolling her eyes. "Can't you ever just keep your mouth shut?" James looked up at her and smiled, but it was a guilty smile.

Finn chuckled and shook his head as he changed the subject to music and rock bands.

Soon there was a knock on the door from Layla. Sunny ran to open it up.

The door flew open as Sunny hugged Layla and said, "Hey girly, I’ve missed you so much!"

Layla smiled and hugged her back, saying, "I've missed you too! How have you been?"

Sunny replied, "Good, good..."

They chatted for a bit near the doorway before Layla noticed James standing awkwardly in the corner near Finn.

"Hey James, how's it going?" she asked.

James mumbled a response and looked away.

Finn piped up, "He's just embarrassed because he put his foot in his mouth again."

Along with them all laughing at Finn's comment, James could not help but chuckle lightly.

Then, with the preparations complete, everyone took their seats around the table.

__

At the table, Mrs. Sweeney said to everyone, "I'm so glad everyone is here. ""It puts a smile on my face to share a nice meal with my children and their special friends, and I must say, I truly fancy your friendships. "

Finn took a big bite of meatloaf and replied to Mrs. Sweeney, "Thank you so much for having me over. "You make a badass meatloaf! "

Mrs. Sweeny laughed and said, "Why, thank you, Finn!"

As everyone was eating and giggling, Layla started commenting on how beautiful Sunny looked again, and James looked over at his mother and said, "Do you see what I mean?"

Mrs. Sweeney said nothing. She just shook her head at James. Mrs. Sweeney really disliked it when someone happened to be rude to another person. She firmly believed that the desire to be more charitable toward others is a benefit of having a sound sense of self-worth and confidence.

__

Later on, Sunny and Layla went into the living room to drink some wine while the men helped Mrs. Sweeny clean up dinner.

Layla sipped her wine and asked, "So....I have to ask, what in the hell was your brother talking about at the table?"

Sunny replied, "My brother is being absolutely stupid, that’s all!"

Layla looked at Sunny as if she did not believe her and said, "I like your brother. I hope he likes me! "

Sunny smiled and said, "Of course he likes you. No need to worry! "

Layla smiled back and said, "That’s good. You're so special to me, and the last thing I want is for your family to despise me! "

Sunny put her arm around Layla's shoulder and said, "Don't worry."

Just then, Finn and James came into the living room with popcorn, and Finn announced, "We are all watching a scary movie together!"

Sunny replied, "That sounds good to me."

Layla was not a big fan of horror movies, but she watched them since everyone else loved them. The movie started, and Layla jumped at every sudden noise or movement on the screen. Sunny squeezed her hand reassuringly, and Finn and James laughed at her reactions.

They all ate popcorn and enjoyed a classic horror movie together. No arguments, no snide remarks—just authentic, loyal friendship.

___

After the film, James turned to Layla and apologized profusely for how he had behaved at dinner. He added, "Some people think you're gay, and I sometimes get very protective of my sister when you compliment her constantly, especially with the stigma she gets from hanging out with you."

Layla smiled, feeling a little relieved, and said, "It's alright; I hate that people assume that about me and give my poor Sunny bunny a hard time." I just want you to know that your sister means so much to me. ""She befriended me in high school when no one else would."

James then gave Layla a hug and said, "I know, Layla. I see how much you care for her. But you have to understand where I'm coming from. I just want to make sure she's safe and happy."

Layla nodded in agreement, appreciating James' concern for his sister. But a part of her hated how James acted sometimes. She knew that James loved his sister deeply, but sometimes his overprotective nature could be overwhelming.

Everyone was at ease after that conversation, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off of James' shoulders.

__

Mrs. Sweeney headed to her bedroom as she said, "Goodnight, kiddos!" with her eyes twinkling with warmth and affection.

Everyone thanked Mrs. Sweeny for the amazing dinner and told her good night. In a way, everyone looked at Mrs. Sweeny like another mother because she was sweet, gentle, and very kind-hearted.

__

The next day, Sunny wanted to spend some time in the country, and she just happened to be off work. She adored the country because it made her feel close to nature and more in touch with the world around her. She wanted to head out to the rural land called Verona, which was only fifteen minutes north of Ashville, with its rolling hills, bubbling brooks, cornfields, and green pastures. Sunny's friend Beth from work had parents who lived there, and she would visit often. Beth knew Sunny enjoyed country life, so she told her in the past that whenever she wanted to visit, she could.

Sunny therefore dialed Beth's number.

Sunny talked for a couple of minutes and then got to the point. "Remember when you said you have parents that live in Verona?" " I sure would love to spend some time in the country!"

Beth answered, "It's ironic because I was about to go there to escape all of the drama in Ashville! My parents won't be back until Thursday, so they aren't here today. In twenty, I can pick you up if you would like."

Sunny was thrilled at the prospect of visiting Verona. She quickly agreed to Beth's offer and thanked her for the kind gesture. She couldn't wait to explore the countryside and experience a change of scenery. As they hung up, Sunny started to get herself ready.