.:.:.FOUR.:.:.
I checked my phone ten times while getting my newly-cherry red hair dried before I realized that my friend Tissy didn’t have my new number. I instantly added her name and number into my new Contacts and texted her.
Tissy! I got a new number. Can I meet you today, at the Usual Place??
It didn’t take too long for her reply:
im there right now, i will w8 for half hour then im going shopping! see you s00n.
M!sST!sS
Our “usual spot” was a diner located next to a small cluster of boutiques. The diner did well on Sundays after church, but otherwise it was empty. It’s vintage feel was what attracted Tissy in the first place, and what finally won me over a year later. On the way into the diner my phone rang out again with a new text message.
OH MY GOD HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEWS YOU NEED TO FIND A PAPER WHATS HAPPENED YOU GET YOUR ASS IN HERE NOW I NEED TO SEE THAT YOUR OKAY
M!sST!sS
It took me about five more seconds to locate Tissy’s and my usual table, and was instantly bombarded by sobs and a hug, probably the biggest display of affection that my best friend had ever showed anyone. I was so startled that I actually hugged her back for a bit before she got too uncomfortable and backed away. To combat her awkwardness we both sat down and she stared at me with watery eyes. I looked around, hoping that she wasn’t making too much of a scene.
“Oh Pheelie,” she wailed, and the hair stood up on the back of my neck. She had never called me that before, and I remembered that Pheelie was the name of the person who used to have this body. Which made me think about where She had gone…
“Oh Pheelie,” Tiss repeated. She blew her nose with a diner napkin before looking at me again. “I got here, waiting for you, and I decided to read a newspaper while I waited, y’know? And then in the paper there was you.. but it couldn’t have been you, because you were on the sidewalk and you were d-d-d..” She took a breath, and then continued. “But it all made sense for a second, because you weren’t at school today and you never get sick, y’know, and I spent all day wondering where you were and then I heard a noise but I couldn’t see what the noise was because everyone was around the area and I couldn’t see and I thought nothing of it, y’know, but the newspaper..” At this she started crying again. The few other people that were in the diner started to turn and look. Humiliated, I patted Tissy’s head and spoke softly, trying to calm her down. “Oh, c’mon Tiss, don’t make a scene. I'm here, right? People are looking at us.. Tissy… I know I look a little different, but-“
“Different?” Tissy looked up. “Oh my.. Pheelie, what… you’re not… Pheelie?!”
Her wail was inching its way up into a scream. I flinched and put a napkin against her mouth. “Tissy, this was exactly what I asked you to talk about. If you’re quiet, I’ll tell you everything…”
If there’s one thing I could say about Tissy, it would be that she was completely trusting.
She sat there contemplating my story, and finally nodded her head. “You certainly sound like yourself,” she said.
The relief I felt was nearly audible. I almost hugged her again, but knowing she would be uncomfortable I restrained myself. “Tissy, I need your help. My parents-“
“Oh my god you’re right!” she screamed, causing everyone to turn in alarm. “They must be worried sick, you were supposed to be home hours ago!”
“Not that it’s anything they’re not already used to,” I mumbled, but allowed Tiss to pull me through the door and down the street to find a cab.
YOU ARE READING
Ophelia
Science FictionThe switch was confusing. But what would she do with her second chance? Ophelia Trillo was the girl who did whatever suited her. Tattoos, piercings, red nails, redder hair, and summery clothes. People adored her and she loved it. Even though she did...