"Gee, Kori, I'm really sorry about that." I said, awkwardly patting my redheaded friend's shoulder. I never knew what to do in situations like this. I mean, I was so good at reading people's emotions, but when it came to comforting them I went blank. It was as if my brain knew what to do buy the rest of my body wasn't responding. So there we sat, on the edge of Kori's bed and her obnoxious Yorkshire terrier in her lap. God that thing disgusted me.

"I…just do not understand why he's so upset!" Kori wailed, sobbing in between words. Evidently, Kori's darling husband was upset at the wedding budget. You see, Kori's not from this country and where she's from, a wedding is a huge deal. Not only did it have to be big, but all of her family had to be there. Even the family she didn't even know she had. Being the kind natured person she is, Kori graciously offered to pay for their airfare. This is where it because a problem for Richard. See, Dick likes to save money (despite the fact that he's rolling in it, but that's neither here nor there) and when he found out that he would basically be footing the bill for Kori's relatives to stay here, he freaked out. Which is understandable in my honest opinion. But I obviously couldn't tell Kori that. So I told her what any good friend would.

"He's a terrible guy and I never liked him." I said proudly. I wasn't really good at being this whole "friendship" thing and finally coming through for once sure made me feel good.

"Rachel…thank you so much for the consoling. I know you do not like the "clubbing" or parties but I would very much enjoy it if we went out tonight." Kori said, looking up at me with puppy dog eyes. I sighed. I wanted to just refuse and stay at home. After all, parties and clubs were always too loud; I much preferred the soothing silence of my own apartment. Plus, considering the state of my laptop, I did have a lot of work to do. But…I don't know… Kori sounded really upset.

So I decided to swallow my pride. For Kori…she totally owed me one.

"Fine."

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[]Garfield []

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"Vic, you don't even know how screwed I am." I sighed.

After nearly running over that tiny demon woman, I decided to forgo my coffee and hurry back home instead. I mean, considering how much damage I did to her laptop, I wasn't even sure if I would have the money to pay for my coffee. Why did everything have to happen at such a bad time? First, Tara cheats on me, now this? I barely make enough money to make ends meet as it is.

"Hey man, I keep telling you to pay attention to your surroundings! Now look where you got yourself." Vic said smugly. I glared at him. Whadda friend. Annoyed, I got up from my seat on the couch and made my way towards my room.

"Aw, listen man, I'm just messing with you. Tell you what, Karen's visiting her mom tonight, how about I treat you to a night out in town?" Victor said. Now that really piqued my interest. I mean, I know I went out last night and that was kind of the reason I'm in this whole mess now but hey, a man's gotta party. So I said what any good friend interested in free things would say.

"Hell yeah dude!"

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[]Rachel[]

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I was already uncomfortable. Kori made me change three times. THREE TIMES. I thought what I was wearing was fine. But nooo. Kori insisted that I looked like I was going to a funeral. And you know, I might as well have been. My dignity was dying tonight.

…

Ok I just made myself cringe a little. Maybe I was being a little dramatic about this. I mean, the outfit Kori picked out for me looked nice and I was really enjoying these margaritas. Maybe tonight won't be so bad. Maybe I'll actually-

"Oh shit sorry!" I heard someone say as they bumped into me. Oh no. Not that voice again. It wasn't. It couldn't be.

"Wow. What a coincidence." I said dryly. In front of me was the man who had completely destroyed my laptop and all of my hard work.

"Aw fuck. I went out so I wouldn't have to deal with this problem and look at that…you're here." The man said bitterly. I wasn't sure if I could actually be more offended.

"Hey, it's your fault!" I said defensively, crossing my arms. I mean, what kind of idiot doesn't look up when they're walking? The man groaned.

"Listen- Rachael, was it?" I rolled my eyes and nodded.

"Right. I have a lot of debt to pay off. I would say I'm in about 50K. Just from student loans. I don't really have the spare cash to just give you. I mean, I don't want to play the blame game but someone did come barreling out of that café pretty darn fast." He said smugly. I narrowed my eyes at him. I couldn't believe what an asshole he was!

"You know, Mr…whatever your name is-"

"Garfield"

"Right, Garfield, I have my own bills to pay ok? You just so happened to break my only source of income. I need to be compensated for that. You were the one who walked into the café without looking in the first place! Besides, if you don't have any money, what are you doing in a place like this?" I said snidely. Meanwhile, I tried to keep my eye out for Kori. I hadn't actually seen her at all since we got here. I was really hoping she hadn't gotten into too much trouble while I was gone.

"My friend paid for me! Unlike you, I actually have friends." He said confidently. Now he was really starting to make me angry.

"If you must know, I came here with my friend too." I said, indignant.

"Oh really? Then where is she?" I paused. That was a really good question. It really shouldn't be that hard to spot a vibrant red headed girl.

"She's-" and it was at that moment that his answer was questioned. There on one of the tables was Kori with a wide smile on my face.

And at the table sat Richard.

"She's right there." I said quietly as Richard lifted her at the table. The two looked genuinely happy. Quite surprising for a couple that was literally about to break off their engagement.

"Oh! Richard! There is Rachel!" Kori said, giggling. I sighed and rubbed my temple. I could only imagine the mess her bachelorette party was going to be.

"Hi Kori. I see you two have made up?" Kori and Richard glanced at each other and smiled. I wanted to gag.

"Oh yes! This is the most exciting part, friend." Kori said, hiccupping. "We moved the wedding to next month!" She squealed.

My jaw dropped. Next month? Was she crazy? God I needed another drink.

"I'm sorry what? What about the venues? The caterers, the guests, the-"

"Don't worry Rachel, I've got everything covered." Richard said, giving me a polite smile. I narrowed my eyes. These two were going to kill me.

"Um. Wow. Ok. Next month. Jesus Christ." I said, rubbing my temples.

"Friend, we are going to leave now, do you need a ride?" Kori said. I definitely did not want to be stuck in a car with those two. I was already disgusted as it is.

"No, I'll find my own way home. See you later I guess." The two of them left and I turned around only to still see Garfield standing behind me.

"Sooo. How about I give you a ride and we can forget all about that pesky laptop, huh?" Garfield said, smiling. I gave him a look of disgust. But…that did turn some gears in my head. I actually had a better idea.

"First of all, you seem like you're buzzed and considering you already run people over when you're sober and walking, I'd rather not see what you're like when you're drunk and driving." He pouted. "But I do have a better way you can repay me."

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[]Garfield[]

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"You want me to be your escort?" I shouted. Rachel's eyes widened and she quickly glared at me. Oops.

"Would you be quiet?! And I'm not asking you to have sex with me, God no. All I'm asking is that you take me to my friend's wedding." She said, arms crossed across her chest. I stared at her. She couldn't be serious right? I mean, how pathetic do you have to be to bribe someone to be your date to your friends wedding.

"Uh…I'm not sure about this…" I said, hesitating.

"I know what you're thinking. 'She must be so pathetic'. But I have no interest in dating. I haven't had a boyfriend since I was 19 and that ended terribly. But I do need to show up to my best friend's wedding with someone. And I don't want this to inflate your ego, but you're a conventionally attractive male and it would be nice to bring someone good-looking to the wedding." She explained. I smirked. I was still hesitant though. I mean, I barely knew this girl's name, how could I be her date?

"I still don't know. I mean, we hardly know each other." I said. She shrugged.

"Fine. Then I'm demanding you give me $2000 for my laptop right now." Fuck. I had no choice in this, did I?

"Fine. I'll be your stupid date." She smiled at me.

"Excellent. Now, you do bring up a good point, we don't know each other. We need to meet up and flesh out this fake relationship and of course you must accompany me to the wedding rehearsal dinner. But luckily for you, I'm a writer and I can definitely fabricate an impressive relationship. And once this is all over I can just say we bitterly broke up and we'll never have to see each other again."