Laughter escapes, and I quickly respond.
M – I can deal with that. P.S I’m quite talented, also. One time, I tried to build a fire by rubbing sticks together. It’s my life goal to make that happen.
R – Lol! Well, next time you try that, I’ll do the world a favour and bring you a lighter.
M – Gasp! Already you don’t trust my skills. You’re not doing well as a Bestie.
R – I don’t want you to embarrass yourself in front of your new Bestie.
I snort and giggle.
M – I’m not ashamed of who I am :-P
I put my phone down and unpack my groceries, feeling light. I laugh randomly as I put them away, wondering why this man popped up, today of all days, during a time where I honestly wondered how I could go on. Is the universe trying to tell me something?
“Mol!”
I turn and see Matilda, my gorgeous, rowdy, somewhat frustrating sister bouncing in. She’s younger than me, but not by much. She takes after our mother, Santana, with her dark hair and eyes. I’m all my dad, with lighter eyes and brown hair. Though, recently, I decided to turn it blonde, I’m still not sure if I love it, but everyone says it suits me.
Mostly, it was to be different.
Anything to try and move on.
“Hey, sis,” I say, shutting the fridge door. “How are you?”
She skips in, stopping at my counter. “I’m good. How are you? Are you feeling better?”
I shrug. “I still haven’t heard from him.”
She shakes her head in disgust. “What a dick. He is such a pig.”
My chest clenches, because she’s right and yet, I know, if he popped up tomorrow I’d still probably forgive him. Love is an asshole like that. Sometimes people can do horrible things to you, and you would still be willing to overlook it if you could just have them in your life once more.
Michael and I started out as friends. We had a good friendship, funny, casual, easy going. Then one night, something just shifted between us, and for months we ignored it. One night, we stopped ignoring it and took it that step further. It was wonderful, at least, I thought it was. Until...well, it wasn’t.
I force a shaky laugh. “Yeah. Funniest thing happened today, though. I think I made a new best friend.”
She puts her chin in her hands and leans forward. “Do share.”
Is this going to sound weird? Probably, but it is a cool enough story to share. “It’s a guy I’ve met a couple of times. I ran into him today, and it turns out he doesn’t live that far away from me. We exchanged numbers, and we were chatting away when we decided to become best friends. It was hilarious, if you look at it the right way.”
She giggles. “That’s creepy, but totally funny. Is he good looking?”
I roll my eyes. “My god. Only you.”
“Well, is he?”
I nod. “Yeah, he is actually. Total spunk.”
She grins and wiggles her brows. I shoot her a look.
“Well,” she says, smothering a grin. “I’m glad you made a new friend. You need it. There is only so much of the club members you can handle.”
There are a good deal of kids I grew up with in the club, and we’re all incredibly close now, but sometimes I feel like we’re too close. There is a lot I won’t tell them. Having someone else might be a good thing. It might be exactly what I need. Sometimes having someone who knows nothing about you, starting on a clean slate, is the best way to go.
“Yeah, I agree. What’re you up to anyway?”
“I was just passing by on my way to the club to see Dad. You want to come?”
I shake my head. “I have an entire tub of Ben and Jerry’s to devour. But I’ll come down tomorrow.”
She nods. “Okay. Say hi to your new Bestie from me!”
I laugh, shaking my head. Still shocked.
“Later.”
When she’s gone, I pick up my phone and glance down. Still no messages from Michael, but there is more from Roman. I open them quickly, reading them.
R – What are you up to, Bestie?
M – I’m eating my weight in ice cream. What about you?
R – My neighbour is playing some really cool music, so I’m getting a free show while I drink my beer.
M – Nice! As long as Taylor Swift isn’t playing, we’re good.
R – Nothing wrong with Taylor. I mean, she did write Wildest Dreams after me.
I giggle.
M – Omg. The fact that you know the name of that song makes me question you.
R – Ha ha! Taylor has a song for everyone.
M – You’re right about that. If you’ve had a breakup, Taylor has a song for you. If you’re falling in love, that’s right, Taylor has one. If you have haters, don’t worry, Taylor has you covered.
R – Haha, you crazy woman!
M – I warned you, I’m totally crazy. You should be careful.
R – I like a challenge! Besides, you seem like a nice girl.
M – Believe me, I’m totally not.
R – Hahaha!
I flop down onto my couch and put my leg up on the back, typing out a response.
M – There’s no girlfriend that is going to hunt me down for talking to you, is there?
I hit send and then wonder if that’s too forward. Will he think I’m hitting on him? Because I’m not. I just know how fragile some girls can get about these things. I know myself if I had a boyfriend going around asking random females to be best friends I’d be questioning him. I chew my nails as I wait for his response.
R – Na. We broke up a few months ago.
My heart sinks for him. That would explain the sad look on his face earlier. That would explain why I can see the same pain in his eyes that I see in my own. It makes me wonder even more if we were meant to meet each other, that seems like too big a coincidence that we’re both suffering over the same thing.
M – I’m really sorry. I guess we’re meant to be friends then. Want to know why?
R – Why?
M – I have a broken heart, too.
R – Shit. That sucks.
M – I think the universe just might want us to be friends.
R – Yeah. I think so. Either that or you’re crazy. I haven’t decided yet!
My heart feels lighter already.
I wonder if the universe did indeed hand me him when it knew I couldn’t go on.
The timing is just too perfect.