Ok, this chapter is mainly Gail and Steve but Holly is coming up. Please please review, I would really like to know how I'm doing, good or bad!
Chapter 2
I tried calling Holly for 2 days but never received an answer, not even a text. I don't know what to think, maybe I had bad breath or maybe she just didn't like the kiss but I've never gotten complaints before. Screw it, I can't let her get to me, when she's ready to talk she'll call. I'm currently sitting at the kitchen counter with a bowl of cheese puffs in front of me while searching for apartments online when my brother Steve walks in. "Hey kiddo," he says while ruffling my hair, "how's life back with the 'rents?"
"Eh it's ok. Mom is actually being cool instead of overbearing," I reply with my eyes still on the computer screen.
"That's good, I guess she realizes that we are finally grown," Steve says with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah I guess. Ugh, why are apartments so high!" I yell with an exasperated tone. Steve looks shocked by outburst but quickly recovers saying, "get a roommate, it will definitely take some stress off."
"Uh, no sir," I reply, "I don't trust too many people to be living with them and besides all my close friends are guys." I say with a disgusted look on my face.
"What's wrong with guys, ask Dov or maybe even Traci if you're not comfortable with guys," Steve suggest. Hmm, the boy has a point, but wait. Doesn't Traci have a kid?
"You mean Traci from high school, with the kid?" I say. "I don't think so, that's almost worse than staying with a guy. Dirty diapers, crying, toys everywhere. I don't think so," I say with conviction.
"Come on, he's 4 now so there will be no worries about stinky diapers or crying. He's a really good kid and Traci is also in need of a roommate. You know she is going through a difficult time and it could really benefit the both of you, think about it." Steve says trying to convince me. Which I must say might have worked. Traci and I were never super close because she was in 2 years ahead of me but if my brother says she's good for it then why not. It's not like I have anything against children…
"Fine, what's her number?" I grumble. Traci is really my last option because I refuse to ask Dov.
After Steve gives me Traci number we decide to head to get something to eat from Chipotle around the corner. Steve and I have always had a great relationship; of course we had our sibling rivalries but never anything serious. It was mainly about girls but that could never between us. My brother and I are a lot alike but then we have our differences, for instance he is completely organized and knows exactly what he wants out of life. He's about to become a detective real soon, earlier than most but Steve has worked so hard throughout his life that he deserves it. I envy and look up to him but most of all I'm proud to say he's my brother. When I came out to him my sophomore year of high school (his senior year) he was very supportive and caring towards me. Even stayed by my side as I told our parents, our dad was a little sad but my mom was actually ok with it. She claims she saw it all the while I was growing up.
"What's been up, you haven't been yourself lately," Steve says while looking up from his meal to me.
"Nothing," I try to say nonchalantly while eating my chicken bowl. Mmm, I don't know what it is about chipotle but I just love their chicken bowls, scrumptious!
"You know I can read you like a book right?" Steve says with a slight laugh. And he's right. Between him and my mother, I couldn't get away with stealing a piece of gum without theming knowing by just looking at my face. But my dad, that's another story, I'm definitely daddy's little girl that can get away with anything.
"Ok," I say deciding to be honest, "you know that tutor I met up with? Well we became friends and I like her but she has a girlfriend. We kissed the other night but I haven't heard from her since." I say in one breath, putting it all out there to my brother.
"Hmm, ok." He says like he has no clue what to say. And that's unnatural because big shot Steve always has something to say. "Let it be. If she calls you then ok but if she doesn't call then obviously she's not leaving whoever she's with. You would be hurting yourself at the end." He finally says while looking me dead in the eye. All I can think is, damn. This is why I love my brother because he is so real and so raw. He's absolutely right but something is telling me to keep trying.
"You're right." I say while looking at my plate. "But I don't think I can give up that easily, besides she made it seem like they were having issues or something." I say sounding hopeful, borderline desperate. Steve just looks at me almost as if he's saying "poor child'.
"Look, I know Gail Peck is going to do what she wants at the end of the day but that's my advice to you, alright. You can either listen to your wise big bro or you can get an 'I told you so' later. Your choice." Steve says with a huge grin on his face.
"Damn right it's my choice," I mutter to myself as I lay in bed. My brother's words are still ringing in my head but I have to try, it doesn't hurt to try right? After a few more minutes I decide to take a chance and make the call. It rings 4 times before she finally answers.
"hello." She says in a raspy voice.
"Hey Holly, its Gail." I say like she doesn't already know that.
"I know," she says with a quiet laugh, "what's up?" she asks. Now that I have her on the phone, I don't even know what to say.
"What's been up with you, everything ok?" I ask.
"Yea, I've just been busy," she replies. This is not going exactly how I planned, I feel like I'm losing her and Gail Peck doesn't lose.
"Look, can you and I meet up somewhere and talk?" I ask hoping she would say yes.
"I don't think that's a good idea, actually I don't think we should even be friends. I'm sorry Gail but I have to go." She says before hanging up in my face. I'm completely and utterly shocked right now. I've never been rejected in such a way, never. You know what, screw Holly!