Friendship

I hugged her so tight again.

“Oh my God Sandy I missed you so much!” 

“Me too! Look at you!  just a few days away from me and you look__” she held me at arm's length and perused me about, making a low guttural sound down her throat before shaking her head in disapproval.

“C’mon Sandy, I'm not that bad!” 

I rolled my eyes up and moved away from her. 

“Sit, sit we have a lot to catch up on” she pushed me to a nearby chair. 

“How's Mum and Dad? It's been a while,” she queried further.

“They're good. Just there. Still playing the old goons.” 

“What brought you into town and why didn't you tell me on time? I was so shocked. By the way,  you called to tell me you wouldn't be able to make it so_” Sandy flashed a suspicious grin at me catching me offhand. I knew that grin. Whenever she gave me that kind of grin, something fishy was definitely going on. 

“Spill it already. For what it's worth I, William and mum were supposed to be in Louisiana today but then my aunt had called to report about some attack along the beach so__” I shrugged remembering the call.

Thinking about it now mum wasn't herself immediately after that call. She had this look of pain etched on her face causing me to suspect something was wrong beyond what she was letting out. If not for Williams who had distracted my attention with the werewolves, I would have prodded her until she told us.

“I have a lot to tell. But, for now, the only thing I would say is this, bitch got lucky in love!” she threw her hands up and twirled it around. My face widened at her utterance.

“You met someone?” I was awed and cheerful at the same time. “Babe? Awwwn that is so beautiful” 

I wrapped my hands around her dainty white ones.

Cassandra is one person that doesn't believe in heart affairs. The last time she had a boyfriend was in high school and the guy; Andrew, was such a world-class douche. He cheated around with other girls due to his image as the hottest guy in school then. 

But one day, she caught him on his bed in his bedroom strafing one of the cheerleaders who had initially threatened her that she was going to snatch her boyfriend. She panicked and ran off in anguish. She was so heartbroken that day. Sitting with her in a pond that was situated at the back of our school where we usually hang out, she had told me plainly that she was never going to love again.

I didn't want to barrage her or force her knowing how much what she had seen hurt her. Cassandra is a very sweet girl and doesn't deserve any of what she got from the stupid hoot. She had tolerated all his shortcomings all the while amidst all the warnings and red flags she kept getting, all because according to her “People had inadequacies” but that was the last straw.

Ever since then, she has been living her life to the fullest. Meeting men randomly but not having any strings attached to them. I was beginning to get worried that she would continue like that but this news I'm getting now, it has cleared all doubts and as it stands, I can't wait to meet this man that has my best friend drooling and having a changed heart__he deserves a big hug from me.

A waiter stopped by to get our orders and left to get it while I turned back to Cassandra. 

“Babe spill everything already. My ears are itching. You know what this means to me?” I said impatiently 

“I know, right! I told Adrian that you would love to meet him. Oh my God Kimberly, I am so in love. I never believed I could fall in love with another guy you know, after what happened” she held my hand and jiggered about on her seat, her pink hair bouncing about.

“I know, cupcake, but lay that aside and have this fun. I told you when the time is right, everything will work out.”

She sagged her face and beat her hands about playfully.

“Eww now you are spoiling my fun by talking like some old crow.” 

“Yes I know.”

“So how is Greg?” she asked. 

“” He's fine! Just there being Greg.” I shrugged with a smile still on my face. 

Greg is my boyfriend of about three years now. We started dating in sophomore year and have been at it since then. Greg was the perfect guy with all the qualities a woman would need in a man but for reasons beyond me, Cassandra doesn't seem to like him. She said he's too winny and was tied to my apron strings like a baby. But I loved him like that.

Well, not that I was that into him but to me, he was adequate and that is exactly how I feel I want my men. I am not really into all that hunky, handsome like the devil- shit. As far as you treated me right, you have me hooked

“So when last did you guys see?” she questioned, causing me to observe her closely. Cassandra never gave a fig how Greg and I fared. The last thing she wanted to hear on a good day was anything that had to do with Greg so I was wondering what's up with the whole caring ish.

“Stop looking at me that way. It's not like I care. Just that unlike you, uju haven't talked about him already. So I was wondering if everything is cool with you guys so I don't be the only one rejoicing while you are going through shit on your side.” 

I understood what she meant so I guffawed and instantly face palmed myself becoming embarrassed at the number of looks I got from the noise

“We are fine Sandy. Just that we have been distant and you know what they say about distant hearts. He has been complaining recently about my uncaring attitude. But I try, it's not my fault that the holly took extra time that is required.”

“Break up with him,” she deadpanned, taking a bit of her vanilla milkshake that the waiter dropped in front of her. 

“What! How can you say that? You know I love him. I mean.” I raised my hand at her as she tried to say something. “I know I slip most yikes, but I do. You don't just expect me to break his heart like that. Greg is my everything”

“And what am I?”

I rolled my eyes at her and said, “You know what I mean.”

“Look here Kimberly, I know you like Greg and feel pity for him which is why you do not want to break up with him. But baby girl, I am your friend and even though you lie to others, you can't possibly lie to me. I see it in your eyes. You don't-” 

“Sandy!”

“I'm serious, baby! When are you going to continue like this? You have been warding off all the cool dudes just to remain with someone you don't even melt for. Where is that spark that is supposed to be in your eyes when you talk about him huh?” 

I looked down at my chocolate shakes knowing everything she was saying was right. I can lie to anyone but definitely not Sandy. She had the eyes of a hawk and could make out a loop anywhere.

“I can't Sandy. I still feel it won't be fair to him. He has been faithful to him and this is just what I have to hold on to. Other guys might be there, but what is the certainty that they won't fuck up? You know I'm not as strong as you are.''

“It's fine baby. Today is for fun and catching up. We still have our entire life to get you a dude that would sweep you off your feet!” She thrashed her hands and legs about in glee

“So what's up with your dad, is he back from Olay?

“ Yea. He is. What are you looking at?” she asked, and I looked at her instantly from the guy I've been observing. 

He was sitting at the back of the cafe with a black Grcian hood on his head. He looked really suspicious and my hair kept standing each time I looked at him.

Who was he and why was he observing me like that?