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“Hey, Lace, how’s it going?” she says, distracted.
I smile to myself, imagining her holding a handful of outfits as she rummages through a rack full of clothing. The joys of a limitless MasterCard that Daddy is happy to pay for.
“Which mall are you at?” I ask.
She laughs at how well I know her. “I just got to Westfield. I’ve already hit Southside Plaza. You okay, Lace?” she asks, sounding concerned.
“I’m fine, I just...I know I haven’t been much of a friend lately, but that changes now. I’ll come and meet you. We can have some quality girl time.”
“Aw, I’d love that,” she says, her voice bright. “I would have invited you in the first place, but I figured that you’d be working. Even on a Sunday,” she adds with a laugh.
“Our friend
ship is more important,” I reply. “Work can wait.”
“Text me when you get here, okay?”
“Okay. See you soon,” I say with a wry smile. I press End, feeling bad about making all this about Ariel when at least a third of it is me wanting to find out more about Lucas and another third is distraction from thinking about Aaron. I finish getting ready and grab my handbag and keys, and head out the door.
As I approach the food court, Ariel is in full view, surrounded by guys hanging off her every word. I laugh. That’s so typically her. Guys fall over her. And why wouldn’t they? She’s gorgeous, with her long, flowing golden hair, perfect smile, perfect body, and a laugh that makes even my knees weak. I’ve always wondered why Lucas has never gone there. I assumed it was the same reason as with me: he didn’t want to ruin our friendship.
“Sorry guys, I’ve got to go now. My single friend has arrived,” she says, putting real emphasis on the word single.
I roll my eyes at her and shoot her a look to let her know I’m not in the mood for her antics. She hooks her arm in mine as we walk towards the stores. I never shop for fun—usually because I never have any money—but today I feel like splurging. Only I can’t find anything I like.
“Ooh, look at that skirt, Lace!” Ariel whispers as she quickly drags me into a store.
“Nice,” I say, trying to sound more interested than I am.
“Why don’t you try it on?”
She looks so excited that I can’t say no, so I plaster a smile on my face and take it from her, and walk in the direction of the fitting rooms. She comes in with me, leaning against the wall of the small cubicle as I change.
“You sure you’re okay?” she asks, narrowing her eyes. “You look a little down.”
“I’m fine,” I say, forcing myself to smile. The fake smiling is beginning to hurt my mouth.
She gives me a hard look and I sigh.
“I’m okay, I’m just…” I shake my head. “Confused?”
“About Lucas,” she guesses.
“Lucas?” I repeat, confused. What does he have to do with anything?
Ariel’s eyes widen, and then she waves her hand. “You know—how weird he’s been acting lately. Like even weirder than usual.”
“Yeah, exactly,” I murmur. I don’t tell her about Lucas walking out on me at Chino’s, because she’d want to know why. I leave it at that, because I’m not ready to tell her about Aaron.
“You sure that’s all it is?” she asks, eyeing me strangely. “With you and Lucas, I mean?”
“Ariel, how many times are you going to ask me that?” I say. I roll my eyes and lean my head against the wall behind me. “Lucas and I have known each other forever. We’re best friends. That’s all. Why is it so difficult for people to get that?” I’m so fed up with people—“people” being Ariel—asking about Lucas and I when there is nothing going on. Especially since my unrequited love attempt all those years ago.
“Sure, sure,” Ariel groans, making a face. She leans forward and presses her forehead against mine, and hugs me, which makes me laugh.
I squirm away as she attempts to mess up my hair.
“I just care about you, Lace, and want to make sure you’re okay.” Her glass-blue eyes pierce straight through me, but I don’t know what to tell her.
