Looking at me you wouldn't know that I have Native American ancestry. My red hair and pale skin reflects my Northern European bloodline. My mother is Norwegian. My father is Greek and Native American. My eyes, my emerald green eyes, are from my father. Sometimes when my urge to scream is string, I get golden flecks in my green irises.
Imelda Abedabun Xenophon is my name, but just call me Imelda. Josh always called me xenomorph when we were kids, before hormones surged in our blood. I knew the Washington's for years, since I was 8 years old. My parents were involved in the music business as producers and managers, the Washington's were in the movie business. Josh had his knowledge of movies and I knew mysic. I studied singing and he studied what made a movie a hit.
I got along with Hannah aand Beth better than I did with him at first. We were competitive over our knowledge. He didn't think I had any real knowledge of movies just as I didn't think he had any clue about music. We eventually got along and as we grew up, more than friendly feelings emerged. We gave dating a try several times but we always seemed to get along better as friends instead of boyfriend and girlfriend. He turned possessive and I got jealous because of his flirtatious tendencies. It hurt Beth and Hannah more than us. They wanted us together more than anything and just knew we 'belong together.' Even though the more than friendly feelings remained, staying friend was safest. Who cares that he and I still look at each other longingly and make out when intoxicated. Moving out of the friend zone never did us any good, especially since he always undermined my paranoia.
So, when I got up the mountain of my neighbors childhood home, I swallowed my anxiety and walked to a familiar face. Josh. We had a more recent break up, just two weeks ago. I was determined to not let us do anything more than friends would do. He smiled at me and opened his arms wide to the sky,
"Finally, I have been blessed by the beauty of a true goddess. My task in life has been completed, for all I desire has come to me."
I smiled and rolled my eyes. Should I let him down easy on his attempt to flirt or blatantly call him out? I'll be easy on him.
"Finally, I reached the top of the mountain and have been welcomed by a bigfoot. At last, my desire to meet and mythical creature has been fulfilled."
Josh jaw dropped and his hands went over his heart,
"I'll have you know, I shaved like yesterday."
Josh then smirked and winked at me,
"It's nice to know that you recognize my shoe size. Afterall, big feet equals big-"
"TRALALALALA! Nope, not hearing you right now."
I laughed and ran past him and into the cabin. Instantly finding Hannah and Beth on a couch. Making my way over, I hear tidbits of their conversation.
"Mike said he'd come though."
"Hannah, more people than just him are coming. You're being a bbit obvious if you go on like this and you know Emily won't let him be flirted with in front of her."
Alarms went off in my head and I spoke before I could stop myself,
"Seriously, Hannah? He's not worth it. If he hasn't noticed you by now, he won't at all. I don't want him or Emily to hurt you Hannah, but Beth is right. You are obvious and of you get found out, this weekend won't be fun for any of us. I'm speaking as your friend hear because I love you, Mike isn't good for you. You're the one who will get hurt in the end."
Hannah bit her lip and didn't look me in the eye. She mumbled something that I couldn't hear but Beth did and she gasped,
"You know it's not like that with her and Josh."
I was shocked. Filling in the blank I folded my arms across my chest,
"Hannah, I need you to take this seriously. What are you going to do if Mike rejects you? Josh and I are a different story and you know it. I know you and Beth think he and I are perfect for each other, but as friends there is no drama and no one is getting seriously hurt."
She glanced at meme then but still said nothing, I heard Josh come 8n behind me but I kept talking,
"Being in a relationship or pursuing one doesn't mean you should change yourself Hannah. Him being with Emily should be enough to tell you that a relationship with him would be nothing but trouble."
Josh joined the conversation, closing the door behind him,
"Mike isn't isn't a bad guy , Imelda."
I scoffed,
"I never said he was. You're his friend Josh. Can you honestly say that if he and Hannah get together, he would be honest with her, faithful to her, and treat her right? I had a sister once you know. I remember exactly what it is that guys like Mike want. Before Danielle died...look at it this way Hannah. You've changed yourself so much already for this guy. Are you going to keep changing just so he'll notice you and maybe hook up with you? How are you going to feel when you realize it was all for nothing? Are you going to put a bullet in your head too?!"
I knew I went to far as soon as i said it, but i got too worked up. I grabbed my bag and rushed up the staird to my room. Beth shot up from her seat to follow but decided not to. Plopping back in her seat she looked between Josh and Hannah who looked like she was about to cry. They remembered Danielle vaguely. They had been 12 when she died. Imelda never opened up much about it before, hearing that Danielle had killed herself over a guy was news.
Josh knew Imelda was right about Mike, he just wasnwasn't right for either of his sisters. If Chris wasn't so into Ashley he would try to set him up with Hannah. Beth wasn't a problem since guys didn't float her boat. Imelda was normally always right and it frightened him. He hated questioning her but the guys never let him love it down if he went along with everything she said and suggested. It's not like she even bosses him around. Emily is the only one who dictates her boyfriend. No, Josh and Imelda's relationship was easy most of the time. At least until it blew up in their faces.
It would start off as a simple argument and then escalate to a shouting match thay would end with Imelda storming out and not talking for hours. Josh was so easy going and nonviolent thay it came to a surprise to everyone when they'd get into an argument like that. Josh knew he wanted to be more than friends with Imelda for years. Every break up he wanted to take back. Every fight and hurtful word. But Imelda would be so adamant thay staying friends would be easy. It was never easy for Josh. Not when he only wanted her in his arms whenever he saw her. In fact, he was certain that he was in love with her. He just always found a way to start an argument with her. He was sure that if he got her alone thus weekend and told her how he feels that all would be ok between them.
Hannah knew that Imelda was right, but she was sure that Mike was the one for her. He was so handsome and nice and class president. He was going to notice her thus weekend and break up with Emily and be with her... Then it occurred to her, Emily. She'd never let her get away with taking Mike. This weekend would never be in peace. But as long as she got Mike...none of that would matter right?
Beth needed Sam to get here. She was better at soothing Hannah out of things. And maybe this weekend her and Sam could make things official. If only Hannah could be interest in Chris still. But somehow Mike got her heart and he barely acknowledges her. It wasn't right, but I never ban my sister from doing something. If he hurts her though, I'd rain hellfire of that asshat.
