(17) Diversion

I straightened my collar in the mirror barely glancing at my face reflected with worry. I bit my lip and shrugged my brown sweater over the pink blouse. Lily my roommate left early this morning to go for a run. Her bed was disheveled and a large towel lay across the foot of her bed.

Supposedly Jacob was going to visit me today. Is that why I fretted over my appearance? I shook my head trying to erase Myra's threatening words. She wanted Jacob and I wasn't sure how I felt about that?

Would I compete with her? She would like that being more than delighted to get her way. I clutched my book and walked to the living room. Joey was already they're looking at a Nickelodeon magazine while Connie started our breakfast. Myra wasn't here. Whew. I could get in a few chapters of reading.

I was starting my second chapter when I hear heels clicking down the hall. I looked up and saw Myra. She had taken extra time dressing this morning. Gone were her usual leggings and stretchy T-shirts. She was wearing a tan leather jacket and camisole underneath. Her jeans were tucked inside her stiletto boots that reached her knees.

She sauntered past me before looking down at my outfit. She snickered and sat on the couch next to me. She crossed her legs and waved her heels back and forth impatiently. Lily came in from her run stretching her arms overhead. She paused and gawked at Myra's outfit.

"I thought you lost my jacket?" Lily stared at the creamy tan jacket.

"It was in the back of my closet. I'll have it dry cleaned and back to you tomorrow. Okay?" Myra negotiated.

"You better. It's the least you can do." She crossed in front of us and took a bottle of Dasani from the fridge. "Why are you so dressed up?" She chugged the water.

"Just one of those days. You know? I wanted to look my best because you never know who might come by." Myra purred and laughed. She brushed a few dark strands of hair out of her eyes.

"Whatever. Don't forget to put the jacket back in my closet." Lily said and spun around. She jogged to our room.

"Lily breakfast is almost done." Connie yelled after her.

"Bella what's wrong?" Myra asked innocently.

"Nothing." I muttered and stared at my book. The words didn't make sense and I felt ridiculous. My dumb blouse seemed too immature.

We all ate in silence while Connie chattered about the beautiful weather. Nobody said much eating bacon and eggs quietly. I went for a walk after breakfast, alone. A strong breeze drifted from the ocean making me shiver. I wrapped my jacket closer to my chest. Beautiful day? Was she crazy?

I got more and more angry thinking about Myra's childish games. I started kicking rocks across the uneven sand. The seashells protruded from the sand gleaming in the sunlight. I picked up a few shells gripping them too tightly.

I walked through the gate into the backyard avoiding the benches lined up by the walkway. Myra was painting her nails sitting cross-legged on the bench. She was fanning her nails back and forth. The black nail polish seemed fitting.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Jacob. You don't mind sharing? Do you?" Her snaky smile consumed her whole face.

I was not good at confrontations. "He's not coming." I blurted out and winced at my pathetic attempt of lying.

"Yeah right. He's like your little lap dog. He'll be here."

"He said he couldn't make it. A school project came up and he can't get out of it." Please don't let lightening strike me dead.

"Hmm. You wouldn't be lying to me?"

"No." I said crossing my toes.

"We'll see." Myra closed the nail polish and stood up. "Whatever."

Myra walked away then turned and gave me a second look her eyes looking like daggers…

I watched TV with Joey. We were watching some show about pregnant teenagers. I mostly watched the wall and occasionally glanced outside from time to time. Myra gave up on her flirty outfit joining us in her pink leggings and No Doubt concert T-shirt. She sat on the floor Indian style.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't waiting for Jacob to come and visit. The hour flew by and no headlights came up the driveway. Joey left the room to read her new book she got in her care package. It was a mystery novel. Lily wandered in and sat for a couple of minutes then got on the floor to do sit-ups. Connie was in the laundry room so Lily couldn't get yelled at for doing exercise.

Myra checked her reflection in the mirror and batted her eyelashes.

"I guess you were right Bella. Jacob isn't coming." She paused and pulled her ponytail tighter. "Hmm, I suppose you were right."

Lily stopped doing sit-ups and huffed. "Right about what?"

"I stupidly thought Jacob worshipped Bella but I guess not." Myra smiled again and sipped her soda.

"Oh." Lily gave me a pitying look and resumed her sit-ups. She was on fifty when Connie walked into the room.

"What are you doing?" Connie shrieked.

"I was stretching." Lily lied.

"Lily you're not suppose to be doing exercises after six. You know the rules." Connie shook her finger. I looked up in alarm at the small clock above the fireplace. Six? It would be way too late for Jacob to come now. I closed my book and got up from the couch.

"Don't worry Bella. Maybe he'll come tomorrow." Myra yelled after me.

I turned and stared at her. I wanted to give her a snappy remark something Jessica-worthy but nothing came to mind. I opened my mouth and drew in a breath.

"You're so evil." Lily sputtered to Myra and got up from the floor. "Try to balance your meds, please."

Myra made a dirty face at her and flipped the channel. I heard some theme song fill the room.

Lily walked behind me back to the room. She was bouncing and jumped onto her bed.

"You should really stick up for yourself." Lily narrowed her eyes. "She'll only get worse. You being silent is only provoking her."

I took off my sweater and blouse. I put a blue sweatshirt on and sat at the edge of my bed. "I don't know what to say to her?"

"Oh that's easy just tell her she's an evil whore-bag and you're not scared of her." Lily replied and grabbed her I pod off the dresser.

"Will that work?" I asked quizzically.

"It did for me. Although she did make fun of me for a month when I wore a Elmo t-shirt."

"That's not helping." I complained and stretched out on my bed.

"So you're friend that came the other day is that who she's talking about?" Lily asked and turned on the I pod.

"Yeah, Jacob."

"She honestly thinks he would like her. She's so delusional." Lily blurted out.

"I don't know Jacob's type." I explained which was even more frustrating. Maybe Myra was his type.

"Umm, I don't think psycho is his type." Lily rolled over to her side. "You know what I just got a great idea."

"What?"

"We are going to get back at Myra. Do a little practical joke on her. Are you game?" Lily had a suspicious gleam in her eyes.

"Is it bad?" I hesitated.

"Oh, it's phenomenally horrible. She'll be pissed." Lily laughed and composed herself. "I'm so excited."

"What are you going to do?" I asked having no clue what was on her mind. Knowing Lily a little bit I didn't have to try hard to guess.