Adam:Absolutely not.
Danielle:Don’t tell me what to do :)
My eye twitches in annoyance. I love Danielle— she’s smart and caring, and she doesn’t give a shit that our relationship isn’t conventional. The two of us are just doing the best that we can. But her message pisses me off all the same.
Adam:You are NOT going to a stranger’s house. JFC, Danielle. Do you realize all the things that could happen to you? You could be murdered, or worse.
Danielle:*eye roll emoji* I already had a background check run on him. It came back clean, and there’s nothing to worry about.
That means there’s everything to worry about. I don’t want her to go alone.
Adam:I’m coming with.
Danielle:Abso-fucking-lutely not.
Adam:nonnegotiable. I’ll drive you down there and we can stay at a hotel. You can hang out with your friend, and I’ll make sure you don’t die.
Danielle:I said no.
Adam:And I don’t care. If you don’t let me come, I’ll follow you the whole way there, and then your little friend will think I’m a creep. I’ll make sure to make it awkward too.
Her text bubbles pop up and disappear. I know she’s wanting to cuss me out in those messages, but she’s too nice for that.
Danielle:I asked him if it was okay. The plan was for me to drive us down there because he doesn’t have a car. But since you strong-armed your way into our plans, you’re driving.
Great. Fuck my life.
After Brittany and Zoey leave,I start packing my duffel bag.
What am I even supposed to take for a weekend trip? Normally it would be for a special occasion. Skiing at a luxury resort. Flying for a beach getaway. Last year, I rented a cabin and the four of us spent the weekend getting drunk on moonshine and making a bubble bath in a hot tub. The bubbles were insane.
I refuse to text Danielle and ask, though. After she volunteered me to drive this weekend, I’m a little cross with her. Why can’t she see I was trying to protect her? Not everyone has her best interests in mind. She’s too trusting and too friendly. She loves people and loves caring for others. A great trait to have, especially since she wants to be a doctor. Bedside manners are practically ingrained in her blood, so different from the parents who raised us.
I carefully plan out my outfits, matching my shirts to my shorts so they look cohesive but not too overbearing. Socks, underwear, sleeping clothes, check.
Hygiene products, my mini shampoo and conditioner bottles. Cologne. Toothbrush and toothpaste.
I double-check my mental packing list, making sure I didn’t miss anything, and when I feel comfortable with everything I’ve chosen, I start to pack.
My phone pings with a message thirty minutes later. I had just finished putting my toiletry bag on top of my clothes in my duffel and zipped it shut. If that’s Danielle canceling tomorrow, I’m going to lose my marbles. I haven’t precariously packed all of my stuff for us to not go.
Danielle:I’m at the store getting snacks.
Adam:Okay.
Danielle:I got your dumb snacks. I wanted to give you one last chance to back out though.
Why does she not want me to go so badly? Is it someone she likes? Is that what this is?
Adam:Why don’t you want me to go?
Danielle:Because he’s my friend, and I don’t want you to scare him off. You’re off-putting on your best days, and an asshole on your worst.
Well, fuck me.
Adam:I’m not going to be an asshole. I’m going because I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. Is that so horrible of me?
Danielle:Yes.
