Even though Mariana stood there shooting daggers at me, she looked incredible. She'd dyed her hair back its original color of brown, and had it thrown lazily in a bun on the top of her head. Wisps of stray hairs surrounded her flushed face, seeing as it was pushing a little past 95 degrees this morning. A rose color t-shirt that stopped midriff and exposed more stomach than it should, along with a pair of ripped jeans shredded at the thigh that just about had my mouth watering. Completely inappropriate attire for working at the Rec center; but she was ok since half the staff barely glanced at the dresscode guideline Larry placed so adamantly on his door.
I was staring. Weighing my options of an hasty escape and wanting to run up and hug Mariana at the same time. I hadn't seen her in 3 days and the relief I was feeling now was frightening
"Hello Ladies! You must be the Adams-Fosters." Larry's voice was sweet and gave way to the southern gentlemen in him.
"Yes. Please to meet you. Mr. Reynold's if I recall?" Lena's etiquette shined through in her greeting to Larry, her smile genuine at the comforting demeanor Larry was putting off. He was an everybody's kind of guy. Everybody loved him, and for him to be so old, well he was kind of cool.
"Ah Darling it's Larry. Mr. Reynold's is my father and he isn't nearly as charming."
A small chuckle came from Stef while Lena's grin widened. "Well nice to meet you Larry. I'm Lena, this is my wife Stephanie and our daughter Mariana."
"Yes please come in. You're right on time. One of our employees called out sick today and we do need a fill in rather quickly."
I'd been stark quiet since they'd walked into the facility, but hearing this tad bit of information my ears perked up. Who had called out? As far as I knew I was the only one scheduled to man the reception until about 2 when summer school let out. It was only 10, that was hours away.
"Actually Larry I won't be staying. I have to get to work soon. I just want to meet you. You seemed like a lovely man over the phone." Glancing in my direction Stef clears her throat before excusing herself and Mariana into a corner.
I noticed Mariana's defiant stern stare and Stef hard glare as she whispers to Mariana. I'm sure it's about her need to behave because she looks about ready to have a tantrum her jaw is set so firm.
I turn back to Lena and Larry who have seem to comfortably get into light banter. Probably Larry telling her of his time as a Professor of the Arts at UCLA.
Next thing I know Stef is kissing Lena's cheek and telling Larry she'd love to receive a tour of the facility next week when she drops Mariana off. She doesn't leave without squeezing my shoulder with a look stating that clearly we will be talking.
I decide then to look over at Mariana whose attitude has been the only consistent fixture on her face since she's walked into the Rec Center. Great just great!
"Hey.." My greeting is calculated. I'm currently waiting for the other shoe to drop. Marianna is just staring at me, clearly a few choice words on her mind.
"I wanted to say sorry about me, you know, avoiding you."
Silence.
"I'm not trying to be an ass or anything, Mariana. This really sucks for me."
More silence.
"You're being really mature right now Mariana." I was beginning to feel annoyed; I mean at the very least she could try to use her words. I didn't want to be in this situation anymore than she did.
I step back hesitantly as her eyes flare, and her jaw tightens even more. Maybe I should abort before she hauled off and slapped the shitty apology from my lips.
"I met Lou."
My face turns a ghostly pale, but my ears take on a deep maroon colour. "Wha-tt."
"Jesus invited me out on Friday, with him and Brandon. Then Callie wanted to go, and then of course Wyatt. I still didn't want to go because it seemed like everyone had dates so Matt who just so happens to be Lou's cousin showed up. So Brandon's date turned into a group hang."
Group hang? Did she just go out on a date with Matt and try to call it a group hang? I could feel my mood souring at the idea. Shaking the thought from my mind I decide to focus on the more president issue. She met Lou. Like they were in the same room with one another. Like both of them. "Mari-" My tongue felt heavy. Did they talk? Did Lou tell her everything? To say I wasn't shitting bricks right now would've been an understatement. I'd known Lou to be quite vindictive or maybe I just tended to bring it out of her.
Either Mariana didn't notice the look of panic flash across my features or she chooses to ignore it. "I know you and Lou used to be close. We talked and it seems like she really misses you. She also seems pretty pissed at you too." Mariana's demeanor is now relaxed, considering even.
I had no idea what was going on. Was this her way of saying she knew about everything; and if she did, why was she so calm and concerned. Something didn't seem right, so instead of incriminating myself into a further disposition, I straightened my form and kept my mouth shut. Which trust me was truly a hard feat.
"I know why you broke up to me. I get it ok." She purses her lips in a thin line contemplating extremely hard the words at the cusp of her thoughts.
"Mari-"
"Look I get that you had friends and a life before me; and since I've stepped in the picture I've been selfish with what little spare time you do have. I'm sorry for that. I know how important the people you care about are to you."
If I thought I was confused before; I was absolutely dumbfounded now. "Wait. What are you talking about?" I stick my hands in my pocket, mentally trying to gain some control over the conversation. I could feel the heat radiating from Mariana; and I wanted nothing more than to swoop her into my arms and bury my face in her darkly chestnut hair. The expanse of smooth tan skin cause for a distraction as I step unconsciously closer to her.
"I'm sorry about this weekend. I really am. I just needed some time."
She steps away a full foot, my eyes returning to more appropriate bearings, noticing Mariana's blushing yet stern glare.
"Mari this was just suppose to be a break."
"No. We both know it wasn't Allison. This weekend proved that to me more than anything."
The quiet silence that followed her statement lingered until I finally looked up from the floor. She was right as per usual.
"Friends?" It's said with so much discontent and hesitancy that even I crack a smirk at Mariana stricken features after she says the word.
I just stand there eyeballing her, because what am I supposed to say to that? She came in here about ready to implant her tiny size 4 foot in my ass and now it almost seems as she's asking for a truce. A white flag of sorts and I have no idea how to take this. Add to the fact that I have this deep sickening feeling whirling in my stomach that there's more to this "group hang" then she's letting on about. Before I can respond Larry chooses then to speak up.
"Allison I believe Lena here is ready for that tour if you're ready." He's made his way to the reception desk eyes darting from me to Mariana as he adds two and two together.
Throwing an easy smile to cover the deer in headlights look I turn to Lena gesturing for her and Mariana to follow. Only for Larry to stop me mid-stride.
"Actually you'll be giving Lena the tour while I talk this little lady here through manning the front desk." Larry lazily places an arm around Mariana, nodding for me to continue.
I can't say I'm absolutely devastated I don't have to spend any extra time with Mari simply because I'm literally at a stalemate with what to do with this "friends" business she just sprung on me. So I gladly redirect my attention to Lena leading the way to the double doors that lead into the gymnasium.
"Oh and before it completely slips my mind. Adele called out today so you'll be taking over for her."
I make a sharp turn back towards the drawled accent that has made me a very unhappy individual in the matter of five seconds.
"Your kidding right?" I should feel bad for how blatantly rude I sound but apparently it's shock the hell out of Allison day, because the bombs just keep dropping. "What about Frankie? Or Carol? She was on call today."
Larry doesn't even acknowledge me; instead he walks Mariana into his office. Leaving me to glower at the door in response. I couldn't believe Larry set me up to cover Adele. I hadn't taught a dance class in years. I hadn't danced for even longer. I had nothing prepared and to be frank I wanted nothing to do with the class. I had half the nerve to walk out of the Rec Center right then. I would've if it'd been anyone but Lena standing there studying me far more than I'd like at the moment. Hell I would've even tried to book it on Stef and I'm more than positive she'd be able to catch me. Today was not my day and I had a feeling it'd be getting much worse.