The entire time I walked to meet Quinn for lunch, I thought about Brittany. I don't know why but I did. The entire 3 block walk to our usual meeting spot Brittany was all I could think of. Once I reached the steps in front of an antique shop that Quinn would drag me in more often than I cared for, I pulled out my phone and saw I was right on time. After I put my phone back in my purse, my mind drifted back to Brittany, the way she kept biting her bottom lip out of frustration, the way she cocked her head to the side out of confusion, I counted 23 freckles on her face that all seemed to dance when she laughed. She is so damn cute. Why is this weird woman, who was walking an obese cat on a leash, yes a leash, why is she consuming my thoughts. I'm supposed to be pissed off today, yet every time I picture her…. I smile. She somehow lifted my mood and gave it a complete 180. A complete stranger, no wait she said we are friends now because we know each other's name, and I met her cat. So my stranger friend lifted my mood.
I start to smile and blush slightly until this homeless man jumps out at me and scares the shit out of me. I reach in my pocket and throw a 5 dollar bill at him, and instantly regret it. I don't have a fuckin job anymore! I could be just like the homeless man in a few weeks. I wonder if he needs a neighbor or even a roommate in his cardboard box.
''Lopez!'' Quinn screams out at me while snapping her fingers in front of my face, jolting me from my self-loathing homeless daydream, or nightmare I should say.
''What?'' I hiss out at her.
''Whoa…got the Monday morning bitchies today huh?'' Quinn states with a smirk.
''I got fired today.'' I mumble out softly
''Shit'' Quinn says quickly as her eyes widen and she hugs me. ''Are you serious?''
I feel a tear form in my eye but I refuse to cry, not in public at least. I hug her back tightly and sigh. Quinn has been my best friend for as long as I can remember, we went to kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school together. When I suggested we move to New York to get out of Lima after high school, she applied to every college in New York so I wouldn't have to move alone. We've been through hell and back together. As much as we fight with one another and cuss each other out, a simple hug from Quinn when I'm having a shitty day brings out the water works. She's the only one I let my though guard down for.
''Come on let's go to lunch and talk.'' She whispers in my ear before letting me ho.
I nod as she links arms with me and we begin walking to a small Italian restaurant up the street. ''I can treat today.''
''I don't want your pity Quinn.'' I snap.
Quinn rolls her eyes and sighs loudly. ''Just let me pay for lunch ok?''
''Fine, I'm getting a glass of wine, just so you know.'' I inform her.
''I will buy you a bottle today if you want.'' She replies while nudging me.
We get to the restaurant and are seated in a booth in the back. After we order and the waiter brings out a basket of bread, and my glass of wine, Quinn finally breaks her silence.
''So, are you ok?'' she asks while slowly buttering some bread.
I shrug. ''I don't know what I'm going to do for money…I've done pretty good at saving but living in New York isn't cheap.'' I state while taking a long sip of my wine.
''Well, you know I can help you out with money.'' Quinn whispers. '''Not like charity, but if you need money for gas or rent or anything, just ask ok?''
I nod while sighing. ''Thanks, hopefully I don't get to that point.''
She reaches out and grabs my hand and squeezes it before sliding the bread basket to me. ''eat, don't just chug wine.'' She says with a smile. ''I have to go back to work and I can't answer the phone if you start drunk dialing me.''
I laugh softly. I have a bad habit of drunk dialing Quinn, in my defense I do leave the best drunken voicemails. ''I won't get drunk this early in the day. I just….I just need a drink right now.''
''Well, best friend duties call, so I'm coming over tonight after work with a tub of ice cream, sushi, and wine. We are going to laugh the night away and talk shit about your coworkers, well former coworkers, until you absolutely hate them, so you don't miss them or your job anymore.'' Quinn said with a smile.
''What about Sam?'' I ask her while finally eating a piece of bread. ''No plans with your boy toy tonight?''
''He went out of town with his brother.'' Quinn stated with a shrug.
Sam Evans, Quinn's Ken doll boyfriend, was a trust fund baby. His parents were extremely wealthy, so he grew up privileged. His dad owns a huge consulting firm here in New York, and when Sam graduated from college, he went to NYU with Quinn, his father named him Vice President of Evans and Sons Consulting.
His lips are huge, which kind of freak me out, and he does a bunch of dumb ass impressions all the time, which get irritating. But all in all he's a great guy that treats Quinn like a princess, so he's okay with him.
''Cool, well that sounds like fun then.'' I tell her softly. ''You don't have to buy sushi I can cook us dinner.''
The waiter brings out our entrees, I ordered spinach lasagna, while Quinn ordered shrimp alfredo. We eat in a comfortable silence, me mainly because I'm starving, but Quinn, I'm guessing because she doesn't know what to say probably.
''Spit it out Q.'' I tell her while taking another sip of my wine.
''Spit what out.'' She asks.
''You want to know why I got fired right?'' I say while raising my eyebrow.
She shrugs and smiles shyly. ''Yeah I do, what the hell happened? You got a promotion last year.''
I take another bite and slowly chew to give myself time to calm down from the rage running through my blood again. ''They said it was budget cuts, alongside with me not having a degree, thus making me unqualified.''
''That's complete bullshit!'' she hisses out.
I exhale deeply. ''It is what it is right?''
''You seem a lot more calm than I expected.'' Quinn says hesitantly while eyeing me up and down. She twirls some more fettucine on a fork and stuffs it in her mouth. ''What's with you? What did you do after you got fired this morning?''
I smile, ok I blush as my mind wanders to Brittany, all I'm envisioning are her eyes right now. I could stare into her eyes and get so lost.
''I just hung out at the park up the street.'' I say casually.
Quinn shrugs. ''Cool, so what are you going to do this afternoon?''
''I'm going to stop at Barnes and Nobles and the way home and grab a new book to start I guess.'' I say nonchalantly.
''Not going to look for new job?'' Quinn spits out in a tone way more condescending than I have the patience for right now.
''Fuck Q, I just got fired like 4 hours ago!'' I almost yell out/ ''I need time to process this and see what I'm going to do with my life now.'
''You're right….I'm sorry.'' Quinn replies genuinely. ''I'm sorry San, seriously.''
I rolled my eyes. ''I know, I'm not going to sit around and be a bum, you know mee better than that.''
Quinn nods. ''Yeah I do, well since you are on vacation this week.'' She holds up those stupid air quotes that I hate around vacation. ''Want to teach me how to make a few meals. Sam is starting to notice I can't cook.'' She asks shyly.
''He's sick of eating pizza and macaroni huh?'' I ask while laughing.
''Come on San…please?'' Quinn begs. "I will buy all the food.''
''I just have to cook it huh?'' I reply while raising my eyebrow and smirking at her. Quinn starts to put which is always funny because she never quite mastered the correct pout face. ''Fine Fabray, I will put together a menu and we can go shopping after work to pick up some things for easy meals you won't burn or under cook.''
''Thanks San.'' She replies with a huge smile.
The rest of lunch is full of random talk of current events, pop culture, and plans for the evening. Quinn has to get back to work so she left quickly after hugging me tightly and reassuring me that everything would be ok. As cliché as her pep talks was, I truly appreciated it.
I start walking to the bookstore so I can grab my books and head home to start my new life as a unemployed loser, when I heard someone call my name. I turn around and it's Brittany. My heart stops as she comes running up to me.
''Hi!'' she says with a huge smile.
''Hey.'' I reply matching her smile.
''Twice in one day.'' She adds.
''Yeah, what a coincidence?'' I agree. ''Where's your cat?''
She looks around, and my heart drops because I think she lost her cat. Wait….. I hate animals. Why do I care that the damn cat isn't with her?
'' I took him home.'' She says while still looking around her feet. ''He was tired after his walk.''
''Oh, that makes sense.'' I whisper out. Why is she looking around like the cat will magically appear. I laugh softly at her, she is just too cute for words sometimes.
''How was your lunch?'' she asks with a smile while bouncing on her feet.
''Um, it was ok. Did you eat lunch?'' I ask her as we start to walk.
''Yep, I packed lunch today when I left.'' She pats her bag. ''Where are you headed?''
I hate being questioned as to where I'm going and why, but for some reason with Brittany questions and statements that usually piss me off seem ok when she asks.
''I'm going to pick up a new book at Barnes and Noble.'' I tell her while pointing up the street.
''Do you mind if I come?'' she asks shyly.
I shake my head. ''Free country right?''
She cocks her head to the side and laughs. ''You're funny. Are you going to get a comic book?''
I frown out of confusion. ''uh, no, probably not. I want another copy of the Great Gatsby to read.''
Her eyes widen and twinkle. ''That's a movie.''
I laugh softly. ''yeah it is, but it was book first.''
''Oh.'' She replies while biting her bottom lip. ''I didn't see the movie, is it like the book?''
''I hope so, I didn't see the movie yet, I wanted to read the book first, but I haven't had time.'' I tell her as we walk in the bookstore.
''I'm going to get one too.'' She says happily. ''Then we watch the movie together I won't be confused.'' She adds with a smile.
Is she asking me out on a date? I blush. ''That w-would be c-cool.'' I try to state calmly but stutter and probably sound like a dork.
We walk through the store and casually look at the books; I also casually look at her. She now has her hair pulled up into a high messy ponytail, she still has on the same little sweatshirt from earlier, but now she has on yoga pants and sneakers. She looks really comfortable. I look down at myself and realize I'm still dressed for fuckin work in my dress pants, heels, and cardigan sweater.
She keeps squinting and scrunching up her face as she picks up different books and puts them back while shaking her head. In addition to Great Gatsby, I pick up 50 shades of grey, for my smut factor, and a few cookbooks for Quinn. Since I'm done grabbing what I need, I decide to help her find something.
''I, uh, I got Great Gatsby for you.'' I say softly while handing her the book. She picks it up and looks it over with a smile.
''Looks long.'' She whispers while looking at me. ''But if your rereading it and they made a movie it must be good.'' She says happily.
''Do you need help looking for another book?'' I ask her. ''Maybe one on cats?''
She smiles. ''You like Lord Tubbington don't you? She asks.
I shrugs with a smile. ''He's ok. I don't really know him well enough to make a decision yet.'' I tease.
''Well, he like you!'' She squeals. ''And so do I.'' she says confidently.
''T-thanks.'' I tell her with a smile. ''Well then, tell him I like him too.'' I feel like such a dork for saying that but the smile on her face makes it worth it. ''I like you too Brittany.'' I add softly, part of me hoping she heard while the other part hoping she didn't.
''We're friends, we are supposed to like each other.'' She states simply while picking up another random book. ''What about this one?''
She holds the book out to me and I realize it's a poetry book. ''You like poetry?'' I ask her while looking over the book and thumbing through the pages.
''Yeah, I like to write it too.'' She replies. ''I write poem every week. I have since I was little. That's why I have my bag with me, so if I ever get an idea I can quick write it down, so I don't forget.'' I glance up at her to look in her eyes, she bites her bottom lip. ''I forget things a lot.''
''Everyone forgets stuff, not a big deal.'' I tell her.
''I'm going to write you a poem when we become best friends and you can cook for me.'' She says with a sly smile.
I laugh. ''How do you know I cook?''
She reaches for the cook books in my hands and holds one up. ''You have 3 cookbooks. Only people that like to cook buy cookbooks. Other people just order take out.'' She laughs.
''Ok, you got me. I love to cook and bake.'' I tell her shyly.
''So when we are best friends, I get dinner and you get a poem.'' She confirms while holding out her pinky finger. I raise my eyebrows at her. ''Pinky promise?'' she states.
''How will I know when we are best friends?'' I ask her while laughing.
''You heart will tell you.'' She says while reaching out and tapping my chest softly. ''You'll feel it right here.'' She adds with a smile before raising her pinky finger up again.
I want to tell her I feel something in my heart for her already. I don't believe in love at first sight, but I'm not lusting after Brittany either, well not much. I don't know what I'm feeling for this woman, but my heart is beating super-fast and feels like it's double it's size right now. I want to know everything about her, like everything. I wonder what favorite color is, her favorite song, her favorite movie, is she an only child? Is she from New York? I have to get to know more about her.
She seems quirky and ditzy, but she must have a serious side too. I mean, hell she writes poetry, which isn't an easy task. I look up at her and quickly link my pinky with hers. ''You got yourself a deal Brit.''
''Brit?'' she says while cocking her head to the side. ''You gave me nickname.'' She smiles brightly.
''Well we're friend right?'' I say with a smile. ''Friends have nicknames.''
''So I have to give you a nickname too.'' She replies as we walk to the counter to check out.
I shrug, ''You don't have to if you don't want to.'' I say nonchalantly, but secretly I would settle for her calling me anything.
I place my books down on the counter as I pull out my wallet and slide my credit card out. Brittany jumps in front of me in line and quickly pulls out her credit card too. ''I'm buying my friend Sanny these books.'' she turns and winks at me.
''You don't have to pay for my books Brittany.'' I tell her quickly.
''You bought coffee for us earlier, so now I'm treating.'' she says with shrug. ''Friends, by each other stuff.''
Technically I bought coffee for myself earlier, but the fact that she thinks I bought it for both of us to share is adorable. We didn't even know each other when I was at Starbucks. Sanny? Sanny? I like it. I probably shouldn't like it, but hell so what. I smiled at her and accept the bag after she hands it to me once we step out of the store.
''Thank you for the books.'' I tell her while holding the bag up.
''No problem.'' she says with a big smile. ''I have to get to dance class.''
Dammit, I was hoping she wanted to go back to the park and talk or go for a walk or to another store, but hey not everyone is unemployed like me. ''Where's your phone?''
She digs in her pocket and pulls out her cell phone. I quickly grab it out of her hand and frown when I see it has a lock code on it. ''Can you unlock it?''
She giggles and types in the code 1,2,3,4. I inwardly cringe at how simple her passport is. I want to let her know that probably that isn't the safest or smartest password but if it works for her then it works for her. I shakely type my number in her phone and save it under SANNY before handing it back to her with a dopey smile.
''Call or text me anytime to talk about the book or anything.'' I tell her while nodding.
''Cool thanks.'' she while staring at the contact page. I think she is mesmerizing it because I can see her lips moving slowly repeating my phone number over and over.
''Really? Thanks.'' she says while grabbing me and hugging me tightly. She then looks at her phone again and her eyes widen. She quickly kisses me on the cheek before she starts running down the street. '' I'm late! Bye Sanny!.'' she yells out over her shoulder.
I place my hand on the part of the cheek she just kissed out of shock. I stand and watch her run down the street, just as graceful as she dances mind you, until I can't see her anymore. I feel tingles in my cheek and I know I'm blushing the hardest I ever have by now. I lower my hand and stare at it like the kiss is in my palm. I looked down at my bag of books and sigh. ''Bye Britt.'' I say softly while laughing.
I slowly turn around to head to the train station in shock. I've known this woman for all of what, 6 hours, and we have already shared a coffee, I met her cat, she danced for me, she bought me a bag of books, I promised to cook her dinner, and she kissed me. Either God is playing some cruel trick on me and this is a dream or getting fired and going to the park is the best thing to ever happen to me.
I'm going to hope for the latter. I pull my iPod back out and switch from my inspirational playlist to my lucky playlist. The one I've played after I've had some of the greatest days of my life. even though it's only 3pm, this is definitely in my top 10.
