Chapter VIII, The Thirst For Diamonds
''I don't know,'' I say, taking a sip of my hot coffee.
My eyes are following her hands, –her perfectly done manicure– to be exact.
''Well, you should; the clock is ticking," she answers, popping a sugar cube into her café latte.
We are at the coffee-house, it's apparently one of her favourites.
''We still have plenty of time until the Halloween party," I notice, putting my cup down as it's burning the tip of my fingers.
''We need to get things done right now, Maxine," she says annoyed with the lack of enthusiasm from my side. ''And if you want to hang out with me, you need to stop being so hippy," her tone is sharp and I know she's not joking.
Not knowing what to say, I just stare at the white, plain cup and take a sip of the liquid it's filled with. By looking up, I notice her looking behind me, so I turn and see Nathan, heading our way.
I face Victoria again and shoot her an asking look, but she pretends not to see.
''Hey gorgeous," he greets the blonde and meets my glance, his blue eyes calm and soft, unlike most of the time.
Suddenly, her phone goes off and she stands up, picking up her bag.
''I need to get going," she says, exchanging mysterious looks with the boy. ''Sorry, I promised Taylor to visit her mum in the hospital with her," she turns to me, with convincing – fairy enough expression. ''But Nathan will keep you company.''
I watch as she leaves, putting on her expensive coat and as he settles himself opposite me, I take another sip of my coffee.
''This is a set-up, isn't it?'' I ask, sending him a perspicacious look. His eyebrow rises with impressment, as he doesn't deny it.
''So you are a smartass," he says and I smile, flattered that he heard things about me, no matter how bad they are.
''You won't hear an end of it.'' The picture of Victoria giving him shit for meeting me flashes in front of my eyes and I feel guilty, as I don't want to cause him any trouble.
I must say, I'm a bit disappointed because I hoped to spend some time with Vic, but there will be million more occasions to do so, right?
''It already took me shitload of convincing and favours," he says and as I'm about to speak, he continues. ''I know I could ask you myself, but you'd say no for sure.''
True.
So, Victoria didn't want to meet me at all? She just helped him the whole time? I guess it's sweet of her but still, I thought she was being nice to me for once . . .
''So,'' I say, fiddling with my fingers. ''Do you have anything in mind? I mean, you didn't make me come here for no reason, right?'' I ask, looking up at him, examining his half serious–half distracted expression.
''I just thought you're cool for someone as nerdy as you," he says, resting his elbow against the wall and I smile. ''And, you were fun enough at the party.''
''Nathan Prescott, are you saying you'd like to befriend me?'' I ask, smirking and I cannot help but look at him as an adorable frustration washes over his face.
''No. Well, maybe," he answers, looking away, so I bite my lip.
''Alright, Mr. Prescott. Let's see how it goes.''
''Those is supposed to be your Halloween costumes?'' I ask unsure, looking at the screen and back at the girls. I forgot that most of the people here use Halloween as an excuse to dress up as sluts without being called them. Clever, isn't it?
''You don't have to join us if you don't want to,'' Juliet says coldly, so I bite my lip. She's being angry with me lately for no reason. I think she's still mad after me and Victoria becoming 'friends'.
''Oh, look!'' Dana waves at me with one hand and shows me a picture of a woman dressed in a sexy Little Riding Hood costume. ''It'll suit you perfectly!''
''Alright, I'll take this one then I guess," I sigh, knowing she won't let me go until I pick one out and this one at least looks decent.
''Perfect! You'll match Juliet's firewoman's costume!'' I watch as she clicks 'add to basket' button and I know there's no going back. I'm going to have to show up now.
Great.
''Max, come over here for a sec,'' I hear her calling me, so with a turn of a body, I walk over and stand next to the blonde. ''Which one?'' She asks, unsure, holding up two tops. ''Cashmere or silk?''
I feel the materials and examine them carefully, and as I'm about to open my mouth, I see Juliet and Dana with the corner of my eye entering the shop.
I immediately take Victoria's hand and lead her in a hurry to the changing room. ''Try them on and I'll tell you which one looks prettier.''
She does so without hesitation, so I exhale the air with relief, knowing it was a close one as Dana excitedly waves at me to move closer.
''Hi girlie, whatcha looking for?'' She asks, and I try to think of something really quick. I see Juliet searching the jewellery section, so I face back Dana.
''Don't tell Juliet, but I wanted to make up to her and get her something shiny,'' I explain quickly and watch as Dana nods with agreement.
''Oooh, I see. Gotcha," she winks at me and goes up to Juliet, I see them exchanging few words and they go out, waving at me as a goodbye.
In the very same moment, Victoria comes out of the changing room, looking for me.
''You look great!'' I shout, and she finally finds me, looking quite embarrassed. ''You'd look great in anything," I add, making my way towards her.
Victoria truly can pull off any look.
''Yeah, I know, right?'' She says confidently, masking being flattered and I decide to let this one go.
''Why won't you take them both?'' I propose and she nods, going back to change into her normal clothes, while I look for something for Juliet, knowing Dana will babble out my intentions.
But the price tags repel me, and I don't even notice when Victoria appears next to me.
''You like it?'' She asks, pointing at the silver necklace with a small diamond in it.
''Oh, I was just–'' But she already asks the employee to take it out from the crystal glass and smiles sweetly as she asks me to turn around and it finds its place on my neck.
I feel butterflies in my stomach as it's my very first gift from her and it cost fortune. Knowing I have to give her something back, I begin to feel nervous. What could I possibly give her that she already doesn't own?
''Thank you so much,'' I say. ''I don't know how t–''
''A reward for being a loyal minion,'' she quietens me with her hand gesture and hands me the shopping bags. ''Here, you can be my little carrier and we'll be even, alright?'' She winks and puts back on her shades, while I smile like an idiot looking at the necklace resting on my neck.
I'm torn between entering and going back, turning the jewellery around in my hand.
I can't do it, it's a gift from Victoria, I'll have to pick something else out for Juliet.
But as I'm about to go, Dana's door opens and I turn, seeing Juliet. Sometimes I wonder why Juliet has her own room if she spends all days and nights at Dana's.
''Hello sweetheart!'' Juliet greets me as she runs to hug me and I raise my eyebrow at Dana, knowing she told her about my little gift. ''What's that?'' She asks, noticing the necklace in my hand. ''Is that for me?'' Her eyes are filled with happiness and I have no heart to say no.
So I nod and she takes it from me, examining the shiny diamond. ''You're awesome, thank you so much!''
Well, at least one of us is happy.
Shit!
I stare at the selfie Juliet just posted on Facebook, saying thanks for the sweet gift from me and I immediately get up; I have to delete it from Victoria's phone.
But it's too late because Victoria's already storming out her room and heading towards Juliet's door.
''Where'd you get that from?'' She almost shouts, pointing at the girl's necklace and I feel my legs turning into a jelly, not being able to hold my body. ''You stole it, you filthy whore!''
''What are you even on about?'' Juliet looks at the blonde like she just lost her mind and it drives Victoria crazy.
''Max's necklace! Why do you have it?!'' I watch her angry expression and I know this necklace was important to her just as much as to me. Wait, does Victoria care then?
Juliet raises her eyebrow. ''She gave it to me as a gift.''
''A gift?'' She repeats, and turns to me; my expression must've given it away, because she says, ''Interesting.'' And gives me a deadly look.
''How do you know it's Max's?'' Juliet's confused now and I really want to just back out.
''Because I bought it for her.," she answers and turns on her heel, going back to her room, making sure her gaze meets mine, giving me a shot of guilt.
Juliet looks at the necklace, then at me, and back at the necklace. She takes it off and throws it on the ground next to me.
''Max, you really suck.''
And just like that, slams her doors and I know I've fucked up.
