Alli and I let out a huff of satisfaction as we leant back on the comfortable couch that’s made out of flannelette, like any other hotels in the world.
I just like this material so much, it’s extremely comfortable.
“Okay,” Alli perkily began after a few moments of silence, “the show last night was crazy and sadly it’s over, but it’s a new day; a new beginning, and we have a day in LA by ourselves before flying to Paris, so…”
She leaned forward, propping her chin in the palms of both of her hands, giving me a better view of her bright blue eyes that were glistening with excitement―not to mention ‘I have a genius idea’ written across her face. “Wanna go shopping?”
I nearly jumped out of my chair. With a light frown on my face.
I mean―sure, I wanted to go shopping with Alli, but that’s not why I nearly bolted up from my seat; it’s not because of excitement―it’s because of the fear that was consuming me.
No, it’s not because of my illness (that’s also still currently making me feel guilty about Cody and what happened yesterday. We haven’t spoken ever since, and it’s already the next day, and his agenda is full for the day, but I also have a feeling in my gut that tells me that he doesn’t want me speaking to him unless I’m ready to tell him the truth, and nothing but the truth, so I’m lost in confusion, to be honest) but it’s because of money.
Of course I brought money.
But as compared to the amount that Alli has, earned from modeling and all, I am as broke as someone homeless.
And I’m really weighing slightly on the literal side. I think I brought five hundred dollars? But with that, I bet I could buy like only five clothes from the brand that Alli usually buys from, while she could get over ten with more amount of money.
And if I’m going to spend all that I have just in this shopping spree, wow, I can just imagine Mom’s face. It wouldn’t be pleasure, no more, oh.
“Uh, you could shop,” I stated, flashing her a small smile as I tried to think of the correct words to line up to say, “while I follow you around. That should work, shouldn’t it?”
When I could sense her frown coming, I quickly added on to save my life. Thank God all these were the truth. “I hate spending money, besides, I’d probably buy them and never wear them which would be a waste of money.”
Especially if I won’t be here any longer.
I shook that thought away from my head as my heart began squirming at the harrowing realization that is back to hurt me, and cleared my throat, waiting for her to react.
But like her brother, she knew something was wrong. Though, she just couldn’t, unlike Cody, figure out what the real deal is very quickly. Her frown is officially visible.
“Are you sure, Mer? I really want to actually shop with you, rather than have you just following behind me. At least let me buy you like five things? That’s all. I like buying things for my close friends. Especially you―and I haven’t even bought you anything!”
“I don’t need anything, Alli,” I assured her, making sure it didn’t sound like a direct rejection but I know it sure as heck sounded just like it, but. “But if you really want to, buy me one, and that’s enough. Please?”
She pursed her lips into a tight line before shifting her gaze away from mine, as though in deep thought.
My heart was warming up at the fact that Alli treats me like a best friend and I do too, treat her like a best friend, but best friends don’t keep secrets from each other but here I am, keeping one of probably the biggest secrets about myself, away from her.
Oh, wow, I’m the most perfect best friend in the world, right? Marvelous!
No, more like my butt.
“Make it six,” she said, reconnecting our gaze, her eyes unusually sparkly with something unreadable.
My eyes narrowed in suspicion, my insides tightening as the feeling of something bad just a few moments away from happening slowly sipped into me. I really, really don’t like where this is going.
“No!” I quickly retorted, instinctively frowning deeply. “Three!” I just can’t accept so many things from her―I’m not a gold digger, and I don’t want anyone to have that impression of me. Ever.
“Seven,” she very calmly protested, still looking me straight in the eyes.
“Alli!”
“Eight.”
I clasped a hand tightly over my mouth from preventing another word from slipping out.
I’m frustrated at the fact that she’s also as stubborn as her brother, and they have the same way of thinking; one example? What in the world just happened.
You can never negotiate with a Simpson kid (except for Tom) without benefitting more than what was initially planned.
At times like that, it makes her seem very witty. Very quick. Very much older than me.
“Okay, I’ll seal the deal. No more increasing, okay.” I cautiously said-slash-questioned, feeling rather timid at her capability. You never know what she’s gonna do next, no matter how predictable what she’s currently doing is, if it even makes sense.
“Estimated, ten,” she shrugged her shoulders, flashing me her ‘innocent’ smile, making my eyes twitch in distress.
She just has to do this to me.
She just has to do this to me.
She just has to do this to me, doesn’t she?
“Sorry not sorry, Mer. I hate when a number is close to the fullest but one wants it permanent. You should’ve gotten used to me.”
“Oh,” I let out a sharp breath, “I already have.”
One question: Why.
Alli let out a giggle while I just casually stared at her, until someone caught my attention by entering the room, looking as breathtaking as usual. And in case you didn’t already know, no. That doesn’t just apply to girls from guys.
That’s just―ugh, no.
With his floral button up shirt and grey long pants, and that snapback―how much more good can he look? I mean, seriously. Why.
Well, this is the revolutionized Cody Robert Simpson.
I was thinking of greeting him, heck, I wanted to run up to him and hug him but I was afraid he might still be mad at me, and doesn’t want to see my face.
And if I really wanted to go up to him for a hug knowing that something had happened between us, he would think I’m super clingy and truth be told, even I know myself that I am honestly not the clingy type.
And just as expected, he looked at everywhere around the room but never once going across me, before facing Alli, asking her a question in the smallest voice possible.
And you know his voice has always been very gentle and soft, right? If he really wanted to keep it down, it didn’t require much effort and strength.
My chest―it’s feeling very sour at the moment, because I was proved right about the fact that he is still mad at me.
But then again, who else can I blame but me?
Ah, this hurts that sucks.
I decided to stand up and walk out of the room, in case, you know, the tears wanted to greet me, but it wasn’t long before Alli caught up with me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, saying, “Time to shop until we drop, sista!” and also the time my illness took effects.
As bad and rude as I felt and may have seemed ignoring her, I couldn’t take it―I shrugged her hand off of my skin and ran for the bathroom, ready to puke my guts out once again.
Every time, without fail, this has to happen to me. I’m beginning to wonder what I ever did to deserve this.
I know it won’t be long now―before everyone finds out.
There’s no more hiding.