our own complexity

II

"Hi, Rose," Penelope was smiling at me while relaxing by Alto's competitive pool, legs dangling in the water. The smell of the coffee cup I was carrying filled the air and I could tell when she took a big breath. She was still in her one-piece school-issued swimsuit and her black hair was still hanging off a wet ponytail. She eyed me as I gave her the coffee cup and sat beside her crossing my legs under my uniform skirt.

It was really early in the morning, and the sun was barely coming out. Polly had asked me to meet her after swim practice, which was right before school. If I had to think about the closest friend I had, she was it. We had known each other since middle school and knew basically almost all of each other's secrets. She was tall, thin, dark-skinned, and broad-shouldered. Her body was really athletic back then because she was involved in so many things. Track, basketball, ballet, volleyball, and swimming. When I met her I couldn't understand how she had time to do all that or even wanted to, and then I realized it was a way to stay away from home and her parents' constant fighting. The only activity she actually liked was ballet. It was her deepest passion, and I admired her for finding what made her happy since she was little. At least she had an idea of what she wanted to do with her life. She also did ballet for her mom. Whom Polly admired like no other person.

"Hey, Polls," It had been a while since we had alone time. I had missed her so much. "It's been a while."

She took a sip of the black liquid, "Yes, and that's exactly why I called you here. It's been a while!" She frowned. "We are not in any of each other's classes this year and it's killing me."

"You're right about that. I hate it."

"I wanted to spend some time with you," I blushed. Remember when I said that Polly and I knew basically almost all of each other's secrets? The only one she didn't know from my part was that I thought she was the coolest, most gorgeous girl I had ever come across, she still is. And I was really attracted to her. I had liked her for the longest time but never acted on it. But it wasn't because she didn't like girls, she did, but because I never thought she was the slightest interested. Still, moments like this made my heart beat like crazy. "And the talent show is close, and my mom wanted me to do ballet. I said 'Only if Rosie can come and help me practice' and of course she said yes, you're the only one of my friends she likes." She bumped my shoulder with her shoulder. All of Polly's friends were really narcissistic and liked to flaunt their money. Polly was not exactly rich like them. She was just middle class.

I chuckled. "Of course I'd go with you. When?"

"I was thinking maybe today after school?" And then I remembered what day it was. Wednesday.

"Okay. Can you let me make a call first though?" She nodded, I stood up and walked a little far away, just enough for her to not hear me.

I dialed Julian Dorian's number. It was early, but he should've been on his way to school by then. It would have been the third week of our meetings that day. It took a while before he picked up.

"Hello?" His voice sounded raspy and for a moment I thought I woke him up and felt bad.

"Hi, this is Rosalie. From Wednesdays after school?" I bit my lip.

"It's not like I'm a moron. I know who you are." And then I stopped feeling bad for him. He was an asshole after all.

"Anyways, look, is it okay if I cancel for today?"

"Why?"

"None of your business. I have places to be."

"Sure, 'places'."

"Look, I'm trying to be as nice as I'd be to another person that's not a dick, so maybe you should stop being a dick yourself for a second and answer my question."

I heard him chuckling across the line. He was probably smirking too. I could picture it. I disliked him so much at that moment, "Yes, but we have to meet tomorrow. I don't want Mrs. Lawrence thinking we stopped meeting. Also, I get a free copy of the Algebra homework."

"Yes, yes, whatever. Thank you." I quickly hung up and turned around.

Polly was looking at me with questioning green eyes. "Since when do you hide your calls from me?"

I didn't know the answer. The whole Julian thing just seemed a little personal to him, and I didn't want to embarrass him and screw up just in case it was. Instead of answering, I dodged the question. "I'm all yours today."

Then, after school, I went to Polly's house and I had the best time I've had since this school year started. Her mom hugged me when I went inside and smiled and, as always, made me feel like I was part of their family. And it felt really nice, even if it was as small as it was. It was only Polly and her mom. Polly's dad was not there because he was on a work-related trip like he usually always was whenever he wasn't yelling at Polly's mom, but that's not the point. The point is that we danced until we ran out of breath and then ate chips until we felt sick and then watched movies until it was time for me to go. She never really practiced when I used to come over, but it was fun to act like she was actually going to.

Everything was fun to me with Polly by my side. And that was what I loved even more about her. Without even putting effort into it she would make me forget all my problems. And suddenly, there was no lack of money in our house, long-absent dads trying to reach out, bad grades, nor Julian Dorians being assholes. It was just Polly and me. Polly and me safe inside four walls.