I had to walk away. I tripped over a couple of cracked concrete and got scared by a pigeon, but I was by the parking lot. I couldn't help but pace around, my mind racing, biting on my nails, the scene repeating over and over again. Why am I freaking out so much?! I look like a tomato! I know it! I—what—Strawberries!
I pounded my thumbs into my phone, texting Chloe GET THE FUCK OVER HERE with no context or explanation, but to only hope she would come as soon as she can. She went another text back, something along the lines of what the fuck, but I just sent IT'S IMPORTANT.
Kate kissed me. On the cheek, but she kissed me. I had no idea why I was reacting so much. I had to repeat that in my mind, up until Chloe drove into the parking lot, alone, and asked, "Hey, why the fuck are you so—"
"Chloe, you're not gonna believe this shit!" I grabbed her arms.
She was surprised, eyes widen and eyebrows raised, then with a nervous chuckle, "What happened between you two?"
"You dared me to kiss her, so—"
She grabbed my arms back, eyes wider, "No fucking way!"
"She kissed me, Chloe! Or, uh, I mean, she kissed my cheek, but it was on purpose!" I grabbed her shoulders, shaking her back and forth. "Chloe, I can't go back in there. Seriously, she just planted it on me! Help me!"
"How can I help you?! Bitch, it's your relationship!"
"There's no relationship here!"
"Then make it happen already!"
Before I could say anything back, we heard a, "I see you saw Kate already."
Victoria was near her door, hand on her hip, and there was a person next to her, her other hand was holding onto hers. I wanted to rub my eyes at the sight. I never imagined Victoria being into skater girl types, or just punks like Chloe in general, but here she was. Victoria's expensive shirt and jeans clashed with her supposed-girlfriend's casual sweatshirt and sweatpants, I couldn't believe they were real and that they were standing next to each other. It was a familiar face, to say the least.
"Yes, but I wanted to talk to you." I got out of the car, Victoria excused herself, and we went to the side, "Speaking to her ex was a fucking nightmare, but I recorded the whole thing."
"Good, it'll certainly help getting her into prison. It'll be shitty, but I'll do what I can." She crossed her arms. With a smirk, "Good job."
"Thanks. I'll send it to you later."
"I'll be waiting."
Before she walked away, I grabbed her arm, "Is that girl over there your…?"
"I could never tell my other friends she's my girlfriend. She doesn't like them anyway." She looked back to her, who was talking to Chloe. "Only you two know about her. Kate hasn't seen her yet, until now, anyway."
"Your secret's safe with me."
When Chloe got into the driver's seat, we watched as Victoria hugged her date, for an achingly long time, but then pull her into the apartment. Kate must be surprised to see or hear this go down. I do feel bad for Kate. It reminds me of myself with Chloe and Rachel.
Chloe and I looked at each other, mouths open, shocked at what we just witnessed.
"What just happened?" Chloe managed to say. "We're in the Twilight Zone, aren't we?"
"Nope, that's just her girlfriend."
Chloe stuck her key into the ignition, after shrugging her shoulders, and drove out, going back to our own apartment.
"You're lucky that Rachel just wanted to stay home and watch movies. You would've been there meeting with that all by your damn self!" She said it like it was negative, but I knew she didn't mean it as such. "Tell me, how the fuck did this happen?!"
I reached into my bag and took the picture out from earlier, "We decided to take this. She did this suddenly, I didn't tell her to do this! I dunno why I'm reacting like this!"
"Because it happened for real?! Like, it wasn't interrupted or in the dark! Did you say something?"
"No! I dunno what to say! What do I say to that?"
"What the fuck, dude—"
"My heart feels like it's gonna burst out of my chest." I clutched my chest, feeling the speeding thumps against my hand. Chloe shook her head, so disappointed in me.
We arrived back at our apartment, and practically broke into our own front door, where Rachel was sitting on the couch, who then screamed and threw her shoe at Chloe in self-defense.
"Oh, shit!" Chloe blocked it, nearly hitting her in the head, and then grabbed it off the ground again, "What was that for?!"
"I thought you were intruders!" She hopped off the couch. "Why did you guys come in like that?"
"Kate kissed Max!" Chloe pointed her finger at me. "It was her cheek, but it's a hella big deal and she's freaking out!"
"What?! Tell me, Max! Tell me all of it!"
I gave a rundown of the whole situation (added in Victoria too and her girlfriend, she was especially shocked by that), along with showing the picture to her.
"And you didn't talk to her?! Max, you have to say something. Text her, at least!"
"What do I say?! "Lol that was nice?'" That sounds so stupid.
"That sounds like a great response!" Rachel patted me on my shoulder. "You do that, while Chloe and I will watch movies, 'kay?"
"Hey, that means you get the bed for the time being!" Chloe added.
That was the only plus to it. I was able to lie in bed as I stared at my phone screen. What do I say? This was my problem and my response, so what do I say? Maybe that response is a good idea after all.
I typed it out, admitting to Kate that I was never gonna actually go through with the dare! I was nervous and I wasn't sure what she was going to say my mind racing with how she would be offended, but I kept my breathing steady.
She responded back, I wanted to welcome you back! Unless I did it too unexpectedly or made you uncomfortable.
Me: I'm not uncomfortable at all, it was nice. I liked it.
I got a text right away, thinking it was Kate, which made me have a heart attack. But, when I looked at it again, I exhaled in relief.
Chloe: Hey, help me with proposing? I don't wanna fuck it up.
I snickered and then said K while adding a smiley face after.
Chloe: NO
Chloe: EMOJI
Kate texted back, I know, but let's kiss again sometime soon?
I blinked at the screen, until Kate sent a video message. I grabbed my earphones and played it. She was sitting at her desk, her bedroom door clearly closed and she was wearing earphones too, saying: "It's a date at the film festival, okay? I don't know why I'm doing this. Victoria brought her girlfriend home and they won't be quiet. Anyway, July twenty-one, keep that open for the film."
I smiled and tried to send one back, "Hey Kate, sorry that you're dealing with that right now, maybe leave for a little bit. And I will reserve that day just for you. Can't wait."
