2. Chapter 2 #2
Was I capable of thinking clearly about anything right now? I sighed, sinking back under the covers.
I was just settling onto the couch with some microwaved soup when I heard a knock at the apartment door.
My heart raced. Had Brandon returned?
I imagined a grand scene with him waltzing into the room dramatically, announcing he’d forgotten to declare that he too was in love with me. I shook my head, smiling half-heartedly.
He probably just forgot his phone or something.
My eyes swept the area as I walked to the door to unlock it. Slowly. I’d make him wait, just as he was making me wait , I thought with a slight twist of my lips .
But when I finally opened the door, my face fell. Viviana stared back at me, taking in my gross sick-person look, no doubt. I greeted her, trying not to sound too disappointed, and returned to the couch while motioning for Viviana to follow.
“That bad, huh?” Viviana said, sitting on a nearby chair.
“Ya–yeah, I guess so,” I tried to say through coughs. “I’m so embarrassed. This is so not me. I never get sick. Never.”
Viviana nodded, her brows drawn together in pity. “That’s true. Your immune system is legendary.”
Not anymore , I thought, taking a sip of soup. For some reason, I was glad Viviana hadn’t seen me at my worst worst, which was apparently last night or earlier today when I was heavily medicated.
“I’m glad to see I wasn’t the first to bring you soup. Have Rafael and Rainn been taking good care of you?”
“Well, they’re men, so not particularly. But they try, or at least they did before they had to go to the gym.” I rolled my eyes. In truth, though, I’d been touched by their attentiveness, and not at all surprised. They were my best friends for a reason.
“They mean well.”
“It had to be this week, didn’t it?” I sighed, only to be overcome by a sneezing fit.
Viviana hid a smile, picking up some tissues from the floor.
“Brandon came by with some sick-person supplies. You just missed him—he came by just 10 minutes ago, maybe 15, I don’t know. Or maybe an hour. Did you know that time is all warped when a person is sick?”
“You’re lucky to have not experienced sick brain much in your life.” Then she frowned and straightened. “Brandon was just here a bit ago? And he didn’t stay and take care of you?”
I yawned and shook my head. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t let him,” I said, stretching the truth.
“I didn’t even want him to come over at all—he doesn’t need to get sick from me, and he doesn’t need to see me like this.
When have I ever looked worse? Besides, he had an important work thing come up last night after the party, and it’s been occupying all his time apparently.
” I eyed Viviana, who seemed to be watching me carefully, a bit warily.
Something’s up. “Did he mention the work thing to you last night? Oh, and how did last night go with Gregory?”
“He didn’t mention … that.”
I noted Viviana’s strange pause but shrugged. If Viviana had something to say or ask, she would. “Oh, well, how was the party anyway?” I asked.
“It was fine,” she said. She seemed ready to say more but hesitated.
I didn’t have the patience tonight. “Viv? I may be sick, but I’m not blind. Did something happen with you and Gregory?”
My impatience increased as my question was met with silence from Viviana and averted eyes. Finally, my friend spoke. “Annie, I don’t know how to say this.”
What the …
My brows furrowed. “To say what? What happened? You can tell me anything.”
“I know, it’s just … I’m not sure it’s my place,” Viviana said. She appeared to be on the verge of tears. “And you’re already feeling so crappy. I would hate to make you—”
My eyes snapped up to hers. “What the—this is about me?” Just as I was about to demand answers, I suffered another coughing fit. Finally, I sat up straight and looked at my friend as clear-eyed as I could. “What’s going on, Viv?”
“It’s just … He was, Brandon was, well, kind of—”
“Kind of what?”
“Flirty.” Viviana lowered her eyes.
My first thought was horror, followed quickly by humor. She couldn’t possibly be serious. With energy I didn’t know I still had, I burst into laughter until I had to blow my nose. But when Viviana still faced me with a grimace, my smile faded.
She can’t be serious. Is she?
Dammit, Viv. I don’t need this right now.
I rolled my eyes with deliberate calm. “You’re serious? Come on, this is Brandon; he’s naturally very friendly to women, to everyone. Haven’t you noticed that about him before? It’s part of his charm. ”
Viviana chewed her lip, still looking at her lap. “I suppose. But—”
“He comes across as flirty, but I don’t think he means it that way. In fact, I know he doesn’t. It doesn’t mean anything. Trust me, I know the difference. I’ve felt the difference,” I said, adding a forced laugh.
My timing was awkward again as I had to stop to blow my nose, with Viviana sitting rigidly and watching me, obviously waiting to say more. “Annie, I … I know the difference too. It was—it was more than that. He was actually coming on to me.”
I gasped.
She looks like she believes what she’s saying.
“You have got to be kidding. Please tell me you’re kidding. You don’t seriously think he would be interested in …”
OK, maybe that was mean. Why did I go there?
Viviana crossed her arms, beginning to look defensive. “In me? Well, I wouldn’t have thought so, but I know what I saw. I didn’t imagine this. Gregory saw it too.”
A thick silence settled between us before I finally spoke. “Ah, that’s it. This is about Gregory, and things are not going the way you’d like.” Resentment bubbled up within me. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you … you are jealous.”
Viviana recoiled as if struck. “I can’t believe I’m hearing this. You think I would dream this up just because I’m hurt about what’s going on with Gregory? Which I’m not, by the way. Things are going great. My love life is fine!”
I tried to focus on what she was saying, but it was getting harder.
Exhaustion was setting in. When had I last taken medicine?
I couldn’t remember. I stood up, feeling a little dizzy as I headed to the kitchen.
“We’re done here. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I don’t have the energy for it right now. ”
“I can’t even … You don’t believe me? Why would I lie?
Why would—” She stopped as I turned back toward her.
She seemed to be taking deliberately slow breaths, her face reddening in anger.
“You know what, it doesn’t matter. Forget I said anything.
I was trying to be a good friend. I’m always trying to be a good friend to you.
” By that point, I had already turned back toward the kitchen, but I still heard Viviana’s last comment: “And it’s a thankless job. ”
In a flash of fury, I turned and pointed to the door. “Just go ,” I said as forcefully as I could, even though my throat was sore and phlegmy. “I think I need a break from this ‘good friend’ that you think you are.” I shot her one last piercing glare before turning to escape to my bedroom.
Before I could decide whether to turn around to ensure Viviana had actually left, I heard the slamming of the front door as it shook the walls.
What the hell was that? What the actual …
I’d never seen Viviana like that. Ever.
Surely Viviana had never seen me like that either.
We’d never really had a fight.
Not really. Not openly, anyway.
I gripped the doorway, feeling weaker and more than a bit dizzy now. Was it the stupid cold, the meds, the argument, or …
All of the above.
It’s a wonder I’m still upright.
Why am I still upright?
Remembering I’d left my phone and supplies on the couch, I walked slowly over to retrieve them.
I clutched my head, which was not only spinning but throbbing, and sank onto the couch in relief.
Suddenly my bedroom seemed so far away and the well-used couch so comfortable.
I could just stay here for a while. Maybe just to snooze a bit.
Hopefully I’d wake up and find that this was all just a terrible dream.