The Only Exception

Chapter 1: Part 1

“You need to come over, now.”

I stare questionably at my best friend, through the computer screen, where we are having a Skype call.  There is only one simple answer, for such a demand. “Why.”

She lets out a deep sigh, as if I had genuinely upset her, though I didn’t have the slightest idea what for. Of course, with Hilary you never know how she’s really feeling, because she exaggerates almost everything.  Of course that’s because, she was born a drama queen. But, it can be a bit much sometimes. Most of the time.

“Amy. Seriously, tomorrow is the first day of sophomore year. Tell me you’re not fucking excited!”

“I’m not getting what this has to do, with me having to come over.”

She gives another one of those sighs, this time knocking yet another strand of hair, out of her messy dirty blonde bun. “Just tell me you’re excited.”

I get up from the couch, and make my way upstairs to my room. “I’m excited.” I say in a very non-excited tone.

“Good. So, you want to look like a fucking superstar, right?”

I reach the top of the steps, and take a right turn into the hallway. “You know I’d be really thankful, if you’d stop the excessive swearing.”

“I’ll stop, if you’d answer my question.”

Though, I don’t believe she’ll stop, I decide to answer her to avoid any more hassle.  “No. I do not want to look like a superstar.”

I don’t even have to look at the screen, to know that Hilary is giving me her upmost pained gaze. I step into my room, closing the door behind me. Hilary doesn’t say I word. She thinks this is torture. It’s not. I duck away from the camera, to hide my smile.

“Okay.” Hilary says slowly, her tone tells that she is gritting her teeth. “Do you want to look good, on the first day?”

I leap onto my bed, and set my laptop down, focusing the camera back on me. “Of course, I want to look good.”

“So, you come over. And I help you decide what to wear for the first day! And you can help me!”

“I don’t think I like that idea.”

“And why not?”

“Okay, let’s say I do come over. You give me piles upon piles of clothes that are way too formal, glitzy, and loud for school. I say no to all of them, you get frustrated but suggest that we work on your first day outfit. I don’t like any of them. You get mad. It all gets awkward, and I leave.”

I let the silence drift between us, so my words can sink in. But, after a few seconds, I realize how cruel that sounded. “And then there’s your brother.” I say trying to add some kind of comedic aspect to the rude comment, I had just made.

“You know, Amanda. You’re getting really bitchy these days.”

I sit up, caught by surprised. “Me? You’re really accusing me of being a bitch.”

“Yes.” Hilary gives me a stern look, and it takes all my power not to burst out laughing. “And you know what, Amanda? I’m not sure I want to be your best friend, anymore.”

“Oh, come on!” I roll my eyes at her. “Really? This is such a stupid fight. Why would you want to stop being friends for this?”

“Goodbye, Amanda.”

I barely get to mutter a simple “What?” before the call is canceled. What just happened?