He snickered. “Yeah… right. He was probably afraid of me. Well, I’m sure he got his dick wet in that little sleazy friend of yours. No wonder she’s dead.”
I shook my head. I wasn’t going to argue because he wasn’t worth the effort.
“The guy is guilty as fuck. Everyone’s been talking about him. He’s a fucking weirdo pervert. Never talks to anyone except young girls. He killed a girl a while ago. Did you know that? He hit her with his car, and then he raped her when she was dying on the ground.”
“What?!” This is how it was at the park, like a game of telephone gone wrong. Like scary monsters, rumors grew ugly tentacles of horrible untruths. And people believed them.
I shot up and ran to my room. I couldn’t take him anymore. I couldn’t take anyone. I just wanted Gavin. I wanted the both of us to run far away.
And looking back, I wish we had.
* * *
In a feeble attempt tocheer me up, the girls take me to Bucktown for a little shopping. On the plus side, I haven’t been out in a while, and need to buy some new boots. On the down side, I really just want to stay home, in my bed, and sleep forever.
It’s all verySex and the Cityas we stroll in and out of shops, chatting and drooling over window displays. I feign a smile because they’re trying so hard. They don’t tiptoe around me which I appreciate. They have a lot of advice and opinions to offer which I take with a grain of salt.
Claudia is trying a long peasant skirt as we all look on. It looks fabulous on her. She twirls for us, and we all give her a thumbs up.
“Seriously, if he’s so sketchy, he’s probably not the right guy for you,” Mischa is saying.
“I think they should just talk,” Gretchen chimes in. “The main problem in relationships is lack of communication.”
Claudia laughs. “I thought it was sex and money.”
Gretchen grins. “Well, that too.” She turns to me. “What I’m trying to say, Abby, is… the kind of connection you have with Noah is not something to be taken for granted. It’s a once in a lifetime kind of thing.”
I nod, thinking,twice in a lifetimefor me.
“I had that with Donavan, and there’s not a single day that I don’t miss it,” she goes on. “I took it for granted. Now, I’d give anything to get it back.”
Claudia is still completely preoccupied with her reflection. “I think I’ll get it.”
“You should,” Mischa says. “It looks fantastic on you.”
It’s the kind of skirt Mischa would never wear, but it suits Claudia perfectly. I still haven’t bought my boots, and am wondering if I’ll take anything home. I’ve tried on a skirt and a blouse, and they both made me look dowdy. The girls insisted I looked great but I couldn’t be convinced. I feel as attractive as a middle aged goat, and that has a lot to do with Noah. I know it wasn’t his intention, but he’s made me feel undesirable and hopeless.
“Abby… stop thinking about him,” Claudia scolds.
I stand to attention. “I wasn’t.”
“You totally were, you little liar. Knock it off.”
Easier said than done.
“I know what could cheer you up,” Gretchen pipes up, all smiles. “Bubble tea!”
I laugh for the first time today. Gretchen is like a kid sometimes. She has that sweet innocent quality, always excited by the little things, much like a child.”
“Seriously, I know a place around the corner.”
She looks so excited, I don’t want to disappoint her. “Sure… sounds fun. I’ve never had one.”
Her eyes grow wide. “Really? You’ve been missing out.”
I smirk. “Well, they say one should try at least one new thing a day.”
“Really? Who says that?” Mischa, the queen of routine, asks.
I shrug. “No clue.”
Claudia cashes out, and shopping bags in hand, we stroll over to the little Asian restaurant. Gretchen and I order the strawberry, and Mischa and Claudia order the mango.
I’m delighted by the taste, and fascinated by the texture of the weird tapioca balls sliding down my throat. “Why have I never tried this before?”
Gretchen laughs. “I knew you’d like it.”
I never thought it possible, but miraculously, my friends have managed to make me smile and laugh, and forget all about Noah.
If only for a little while.
