Disclaimer – I don't own any of the characters. So yeah.
Warning – I should just take this part out.
Other – And thus my mad adventure continues. I really do heart reviews.
Summary – It was supposed to be my secret. But I guess that's a problem when your best friend is a psychic. ChRave.
The mall is crowded – I can't move two feet in any direction without bumping into someone. Raven and I have been shopping it up and Eddie's been hanging out at the food court. We left him there after lunch on the promise that we'd be back in a few hours.
I'm learning to subtly hide my glances at Raven and ignore the way my skin jives when we touch. It's maddening but I can't let her know I'm still interested in her.
"So. How do I look?" Raven raises her hands over her head and spins; she's modeling a pair of white suit pants and a formal blue blouse.
"Very… nice." I bubble with a thumbs up. I can't allow myself to voice my true thoughts. I don't want this turning awkward.
"It's too bad I'm next to broke right now." Her fingers brush off her collar.
"Yeah," I commiserate sadly, "Change back. We told Eddie we'd be back."
She disappears into the changing room and all is quiet. She seems to be taking a long time with her change, and I'm beginning to worry.
"Hey Chels…" She sounds on the verge of laughter, "Zipper assistance, por favor!"
I giggle before running to her aid. The top zipper on her blouse is jammed. Getting the situation under control, I jiggle the annoying attachment until it gives, finally unzipping. It slips off her shoulders, revealing the smooth skin of her back, obstructed only by the black lace of her bra.
All the thoughts and feelings I had tried to suppress moved into my mouth. I gulp, backing away before I say something I'll regret later. Out of the changing room, my heart descends again and I can breathe easier. Crisis averted.
It takes us five minutes to return to the food court – Raven spends it gushing over the clothes she could have bought, had she the money, and I listen with a smile. That's what I'm here for.
We don't get two steps into the food court before Eddie ambushes us, hands shaking excitedly.
"Chels, Rae, one of you has to do me the biggest favor ever." His hands slap together, begging.
"What is it?"
"I met this girl…"
Before he can finish, Raven steps in, "And you asked her on a date and she said yes with one requirement. Her brother needs a date."
His face displays his obvious unease, "Almost. Her best friend."
I tilt my head, "So why are you so nervous?"
"Well… Her friend is female…"
"So why are you asking us for help?"
"Her friend is… you know… gay." He clears his throat a moment, "I told her I had a friend who would go with us to make it a double date."
Raven looks dubious, but I can't let Eddie down, "I'll do it, Eddie. I mean, how hard could it be? Take the lady out, compliment her outfit, pay for dinner, and say good night."
Eddie's face brightens, "You'll do it? Great! It's a little short notice, but we planned for tonight."
I ignore the look on Raven's face. Stunned, I'd think, is the best word to describe it. She doesn't seem ready to give up without a fight, "What happens when this girl calls for another date, Chels?"
"Depends on how this one goes," I laugh.
Frustrated, she throws her hands up, "Whatever. Let's just go home, alright?"
At home Eddie and I discuss the plans for the evening while Raven sulks in the corner.
"So, should I drive?" I question, and once he nods, I continue, "Just tell me where to pick them up."
"We're just hitting a movie and then the Chill Grill," Eddie muses.
"What movie?"
"Dunno, thought they'd choose something."
It seems so quickly that it was time to pick up the dates. Eddie didn't bother primping, but I spent a few minutes making sure my hair wasn't a wreck and my clothing was suitable. I hope that things work with this girl – it'll get my mind off Raven.
Eddie and I hop into the car and I drive to the designated pick up point. Two girls are waiting by the curb, matching anxious smiles on their faces. Eddie's the first one out of the car, greeting the blonde on the left. I suppose that means the brunette on the right is my date.
I step out of the car, edging around the front of the car, and glance her over. She's about five foot four with brown hair styled neatly around her face. It's barely earlobe length and looks indescribably soft. Her outfit is plain, but not distasteful. I smile cautiously at her, and she at me.
"Hi… I'm Chelsea."
"Kendra." She returns. Her voice is soft, but that might just be the nervousness of a blind date situation.
"I'm told you're my date for the night." I bumble. Could this get any awkwarder?
"Yeah…"
"If you could get their attention, we should probably get to the movie theater." I get back into the driver's seat. She's pretty, but she's no Raven.
The movie went off without a hitch, and Eddie seems to be enjoying his date immensely. They easily got a table at the Chill Grill and settled in.
"So, Chelsea…" Eddie's date leans forward. Her name is Sara and she's petite and pretty, quite an obvious choice for Eddie, "tell me… Are you really a lesbian? Or was Eddie here just that desperate for a date?"
I don't like the way she's talking to me, but for Eddie's sake I smile, "I really am." I can almost hear Eddie's jaw drop. "But he didn't know, yet."
The two girls laugh and Kendra smirks. There is something about her I don't like, but I can't put my finger on it.
"You wouldn't know how many boys have just dragged female best friends with to get a date with Sara," she laughs again, "and how many have to eat their lies when we ask for good night kisses."
I blush slightly – how can they just joke about this? All those boys were just trying to meet someone they found attractive, and their friends were only trying to help.
"Is this just a game to you?" I accuse loudly.
Eddie glares at me, "Ignore the redhead. She doesn't know what she's talking about."
Sara sighs, "No, it's just a first test. I would have dated Eddie if he didn't have a friend for Kendra. I just like to gauge how honest people are before I get anywhere near commitment."
I relax slightly, "Still… it's not nice to play with people like that."
Kendra flags down a waiter, and we all order. I still feel like I'm walking on eggshells.
Eddie has been staring at me silently for a while now. I wish I knew what he was thinking. The two girls excuse themselves, off to powder their noses or whatever it is they do, and he leans forward.
"What do you mean? Were you serious?" He hisses at me.
I nod, "Unfortunately my first girlfriend didn't work out so well."
"Don't tell me." He shakes his head, "Is that what you and Raven have been so antsy over? She doesn't like the fact that you're a lesbian?"
"No…" I swallow roughly, but I have to tell him; he is my best friend, "She's the one I'm interested in."
His mouth gapes like a hungry koi fish. Kendra sits down before he can answer, Sara right behind her.
"Who are you interested in?" Kendra pries.
"My best friend." It's so much easier to spill to strangers. "We tried dating but her mom walked in on us kissing. That kind of killed any hope for us."
"Her mom wasn't cool with it?" Kendra murmurs, eyes softening.
"No, her mom was. She just wasn't cool with it being the two of us together. Said that it would ruin our friendship and my friend agreed." I clarify.
Eddie's mouth shuts, "That explains a lot."
Kendra sniffs sympathetically, "I hope I wasn't the rebound date."
"Kind of," I admit, "I was hoping you'd give me something to think about other than her, since I'll never have her."
Our conversation is cut off as the meal is served, and we let it go. I know I'll probably have to continue explaining everything to Eddie later, but for now we just try and enjoy ourselves. Dinner is over quickly and Eddie and I split the bill.
As I drop them off, Eddie and Sara get out of the car to say good bye, but Kendra stays a moment longer. She unbuckles her seatbelt and leans across the armrest, fingers tickling under my chin until I look at her.
She kisses me; it's not like Raven's kiss, but it gets my heart racing and my face flushed.
As she pulls away, she winks at me, "I hope it all works out with your friend. I'd say call me, but I have the feeling I'm not much of a distraction."
"I hope you find someone worthwhile." I blurt out, "You're very nice and pretty."
She smiles, "See ya."
Eddie hops back into the car, positively glowing. "She said she'd call me!"
"Way to go, Tiger!" I punch his shoulder, "And I didn't screw up your date!" That's the part I'm most proud of.
He doesn't bother me for details about Raven, though he does give me a rather serious look, "Give Rae a little time. She'll get jealous or something and want you back."
As I leave him at his house I can't help but feel that waiting is all I've been doing. It's hard to hope when the future looks so bleak.