"Lili, put down your book for at least one second and look at that boy!", exclaimed Veola. Lili peeked over the novel she was currently engulfed in and shrugged, looking back down in disinterest.
"Lilith Whitlock, I swear I'm going to snatch that book out of your hands if you don't even try to scope out boys with me.", Veola said seriously. After a moment of hesitation Lili set down her book and said, "What the hell do you want me to do? Drool over guys who will probably just hit it and quit it and never appreciate my real worth?".
"Lili!", whined Veola, "You're absolutely no fun.". Lili studied her best friends pouting face, trying to understand her need to find a boyfriend. She looked at Veola's raven black hair with that hint of blue you can only see if you look close enough; her perfect complexion with just a hint of makeup; she even had the perfect tan. Lili knew anyone would be lucky to date her best friend but Veola went through boys like people go through packs of gum.
She remembered Veola's most recent train wreck of a relationship. Veola had met Quinten at a coffee shop down the road from her house, and of course, they both were interested and went on a few dates. Just by hearing his name Lili immediately thought 'asshat', and it turns out he really was one. With Veola not caring much about the status of their relationship, he went off and hooked up with a girl in her math class. At first Veola didn't seem to care at all, putting up a face of bravery, but Lili knew it would come down soon enough and she would find her crying hysterically at her door. She was right, and a few days later, there they were, at the mall scoping out boys once again looking for Veola's next boy toy.
As Lili thought about Veola's many conquests, she stared at the ocean through one of the windows by the entrance. She watched the waves crash into the rocks right below the parking lot, mesmerized by the beauty of it all until it hit it's breaking point and separated, yet forming into one giant being again. She thought about how Veola was a lot like those waves. Falling apart but having the strength to pull herself back together again in no time, like nothing ever happened. Lili allowed herself to think about what it would be like if she were more like Veola. To be more outgoing, to have no regrets, to be reckless, to be able to go through feelings as if they were books. However, she quickly collected herself again and brought her thoughts back to the present.
Both friends casually walked into Veola's house and Lili was always surprised at how messy it could get, but after a few days, it would be sparkling clean. As she made her way up to Veola's room, she couldn't help but notice a moving van across the street. She hadn't been to Veola's house in a while so she had no idea the quiet old lady had moved and relocated to a retirement home across town. Lili wasn't up to meeting new people so she kept walking towards Veola's room.
Veola jumped at Lili and pulled her into her room in excitement. She jumped up and down like a little girl and yelled, "The new neighbor is so cute Lili! I just saw him through my window and oh my God, it's like he was sent down from heaven just so I could be with him!". Lili looked at her skeptically and sat down in the swivel chair behind her. "Veola, I think you shouldn't pounce at him just yet. Let's see what he's like and assess the situation. You just went through a heart break and you need time to get over that.", said Lili cautiously.
Veola looked at her with a cold stare and Lili knew she crossed a line. "I'm sorry if you have to keep up a wall so nobody breaks your heart, but I like to go out there and experience love first hand. You just sit down and read books about love all the while locked in your room. You don't know what real love is, and you don't even try to be interested in any boys. You're my best friend and I love you but I don't need you interrupting my happiness with all of your negativity.", said Veola calmly.
The room was silent for a long while until Veola's mom called them down to dinner. Instead of Lili confronting the situation like she should have, she pretended nothing was said at all.
