07. Disappointments

BEING KELLY’S BEST FRIEND means you have the luxury to go in and out in her crib anytime you want since you get yourself a spare key. And being in her crib means Netflix, snacks and just basically a good time—except that tonight, all of these expectations totally failed.

I’m really surprised when I enter Kelly’s apartment

Several clothes and undies are carelessly scattered around the floor. The pillows on the sofa are also tossed all over the place and as I walk towards the bedroom, I hear girls giggling. Confused, I peek through the door and has gone totally shocked when Kelly’s face hastily appears on my sight.

“L-Lexis.”

A surprised and naked Kelly comes blocking her bedroom door. Her hair is all over her face and it’s quite obvious that she has just frantically drag her blanket to cover her body.

“I—I’m sorry,” I mutter, “I didn’t know that you’ve got company.”

“Baby? Who’s that?”

Kelly’s face turns bright red as I hear voices inside the room.

“How many are you inside?” I ask, suspiciously.

Kelly hesitates. Just then, a tall woman with a long black hair and a more mature face shoves her way between me and Kelly, exposing her boobs in front of my face. I try to look away but her body is so close to me. I suddenly feel hyperventilating.

“Well, Kelly. I think it’s gonna be really steamy tonight,” the woman says, giggling.

Pathetic whore, I say on my mind as I try to get away from her.

“About that—” Kelly interjects, pushing the tall woman inside the bed room. But then, another girl pops her head behind Kelly.

Wait, this girl’s familiar.

“You’re that girl in the grocery store, right?” I ask. Oh my gosh. This is not happening. I need to calm myself.

“Hi, ma’am Alexis! My name’s Jessie,” she says, extending her hand to me. Kelly nudges her side and awkwardly pushes her inside as well.

“Kelly, who are these girls? And that—the other one is still a minor!”

“I’m already eighteen—”

“Shut up, Jessie,” Kelly grumpily says, closing the door behind me.

I shake my head and cross my arms in front of my chest.

“What the hell, Kelly?” I immediately turn to my heels, heading for the door. I have to get out of here.

“Lexis, let me explain,” she says, running behind me. I stop and turn to face her.

“Look, Kelly,” I say, rubbing my hand on the back of my neck, “I know now that you’re gay, you don’t need to explain that to me.”

Kelly sighs, unmindfully tugging and wrapping her blanket around her body.

“You’re angry,” she says.

“How am I supposed to react? You’re dragging your whores in your apartment—”

“They’re my friends!”

Friends. “Fuck buddies, you mean,” I snap back, cutting her off.

I heave a sigh, “I’m sorry—I just thought Friday is for me.”

Silence.

Kelly just bows her head, sniffing. I know she’s crying. She doesn’t like it when I’m angry at her.

“We’re just having fun—”

I roll my eyes. “Well, you better start saying hello to STD’s.”

“Lexis, I’m a medical student.”

Ugh. This girl is such a headache! “Fine!” I snap back, “Suit yourself. I’m leaving.”

I look at her one last time and retort, “I’m just gonna call the next time I come by.”

I back away from her, wrinkling my face, “and please, don’t let me see your face for a while.”

“Lexis—”

I raise my finger, silencing her off, “Don’t—make any excuses anymore,” I say, “have a good night with your whores.”

**

I try calling Gab as I get out of Kelly’s apartment. I impatiently wait for him to pick up as I rub my left palm on my slacks.

He picks up at the sixth ring.

“Hon,” I say in a tired voice, “what are you doing tonight?”

“I’m studying for a quarter test tomorrow, hon. I’m sorry if it took me so long to pick up.”

I bit my lower lip. He’s not lying. I could hear him flipping a book on the background.

“Why?” he asks, “Did something happen?”

“It’s Kelly—she got her gi—some company—in her apartment tonight.”

“What? So where are you headed now?” he asks worriedly. “can you manage to get yourself a taxi?”

I hesitate for a moment. Had I only known that coming here would be a disaster, I would have brought my motorcycle with me. Now, it is already impossible to catch a vehicle at this hour. I have to hurry back to the bus stop, and hope—really hope—that I can still find anything that will take me home.

“Hey, honey? Are you still there?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry. Maybe I’ll just try to catch the last trip,” I say, feeling weak as I walk the street leading to the bus stop.

“I’ll just pick you up in there,” he hastily says.

“Are you sure?”

Please be sure this time…

“W-well, call me if you don’t get a cab—"

I sigh. Every time!

“You know what, Gab. It’s fine.”

I hung up and roll my eyes. He doesn’t really know how to read me.

I start walking towards the bus stop, feeling remorseful and alone. I can’t believe Kelly would do that to me. She should have at least texted so that I’ll never have to come here. I would have gone straight to my house and enjoy a good Friday night on my bed, watching Taylor Swift updates and reading Rainbow Rowell’s. Instead, I’m walking around this town—on my uniform, and trying to make my hopes up.

Bah!

And Gab? That insensitive boyfriend of mine doesn’t know what I really want. He doesn’t really listen nor pay attention to my body language. I need him now. I need him to say that he’s coming for me and that I don’t need to stress myself out hoping that a taxi or a god damn bus will still be available—because he is coming to get me! Fuck his exam! He’s gonna be here and make sure that I get home safely. Safely! Am I that hard to read?

Sigh.

I’m just about to cry when my phone suddenly starts ringing. I take a deep breath, worry washes down on me thinking that Gab is calling back to say that he’s on his way to get me.

But it’s not Gab who’s calling.

“Hey.”

MJ…

I don’t realize that I’ve just been sniffing when I pick up the phone. MJ’s voice is suddenly worried, “Babe? What’s happening to you? You’re crying, aren’t you?”

“I’m sorry, I’m just—"I say, choking the disappointment and sadness on my voice, “I’m fine, babe.”

“No, you’re not. Where are you? I’m coming for you.”