Are you a fucking Idiot?
That's what most would be asking Zaria and if not she was asking it to herself. God knows what came over her when she practically demanded Aubreyanne, her boss, to clear her schedule on a freaking Saturday to spend the day 'being a child with her not even knowing if Aubreyanne wanted to. She really couldn't tell you what had possessed her.
She stared down at her phone nervously biting on her nail. Maybe she should just send the text, but Aubreyanne had given her this number so she could call if she was having a panic attack and she wasn't...yet.
She sighed and hit her head against her palms. "you're so stupid Zaria" She mumbled. Maybe she should just cancel, but then again what if Aubreyanne had actually cleared her schedule?
"Regan. Don't be late"
Aubreyanne had mumbled those words to her before she left the office, without an explanation. Maybe she was talking about their plan, Zaria felt uncertainty grow in her stomach. Maybe I am going insane
At the moment it had made her smile that Aubreyanne could possibly be looking forward to their plans. She took a deep breath, and before her brain could list another seventy reasons why she was so stupid. She pressed send.
Hey, It's Zaria Regan. I was just texting to ask if you're ready
She was ready to delete it, but the small read had already appeared under the message, then typing bubble
Aubreyanne: I know it's you, Regan.
How? She hadn't texted Aubreyanne's personal number...unless she had already saved Zaria's number. She didn't have time to linger due to her phone vibrating once more
Aubreyanne: You're late
Zaria: But we didn't even agree on a time.
Zaria: Forget I said that. I'm on my way.
There was no response so Zaria hopped up and picked up her bag that had been sitting on the counter ready since the early morning just as she was.
Minutes later her car pulled into the driveway she stared up at the two-story, dark-colored house feeling a now familiar feeling in her stomach. She sucked it up and took a deep breath, walking up the smooth cement path to the front porch.
She knocked lightly on the door, and it soon swang opened revealing Aubreyanne who stood there wearing a pair of grey slacks and a white blouse neatly tucked into them. She looked way too formal in contrast to Zaria who wore black flair pants with a sage green low cut, but not too low top, and had her hair in a half up half down held by a green ribbon.
She couldn't help but glance over at Aubreyanne with a soft chuckle. "you do know we aren't going for a meeting?" She asked softly.
Aubreyanne crossed her arms glaring at Zaria. "Well, how was I supposed to know if you didn't tell me where we're going?"
Zaria couldn't help but notice the almost pount-like expression Aubreyanne wore. "You should probably change into something more...comfortable and casual"
Aubreyanne sighed and turned around walking into the house and letting Zaria hesitantly follow. Though she stayed at the entrance as Aubreyanne headed for the stairs.
"Come on," Aubreyanne said once she noticed Zaria was not following. "You're helping me choose something more...casual as you put it"
Zaria chuckled but set her bag down on the small table as she followed Aubreyanne up the stairs. The last time she was here she hadn't seen the upstairs. There was a hallway with quite a few doors that were all shut.
Aubreyanne led her to one at the end of the hall and Zaria's stomach flipped at the thought she was standing in Aubreyanne's bedroom.
"There you pick something," Aubreyanne said pointing to the large walk-in closet. "Just don't go through the drawers"
Zaria nodded and hesitantly stepped into the closed and Aubreyannne flipped the light switch and then sat on the bed, watching her.
"You know. You're very...interesting Regan" Aubreyanne said as she watched Zaria nervously scheme through her closet.
Zaria observed how neatly everything was arranged, it was even color-coded. "Interesting in a good or bad way?" She asked gently brushing past all the blazers.
"I don't know" Aubreyanne mumbled. "I just don't know a lot of people who end up where you are"
"In my boss's closet?" Zaria asked, tucking back a pair of jeans. "I don't even know how I ended up where I am"
"Well when you say it like that it just sounds weird" Aubreyanne commented. wayat section is all work attire by the wat"
Zaria nodded and moved to the opposite side. "Ok then just for today we should drop titles" She suggested before she could stop herself.
"Drop titles?" Aubreyanne asked sounding intrigued.
Zaria nodded, pulling out a jumpsuit she deemed good enough. She stepped out of the closet and flipped the same switch Aubreyanne had. "yea..like instead of the boss, or employee, or all those. We should just be us"
"Aren't we still us?" Aubreyanne asked taking the hanger from Zaria's grasp.
"yea obviously, but I mean like. We should just be friends...Yea this is just a day of friends hanging out together you're not my boss today" Zaria said.
Aubreyanne chuckled slightly. "you're ridiculous Regan"
"I know" Zaria shrugged. "Also call me Zaria now"
Aubreyanne walked past her to what she assumed was the bathroom. "I can roll with the friend's thing. Today we're...friends I guess." Aubreyanne stepped into the bathroom and shut the door. "But I'm still calling you Regan" She added.
Zaria just laughed as she left the room and headed downstairs to wait for Aubreyanne. As she looked around she noticed that, unlike her apartment which was practically bursting with houseplants and all the pictures she could fit in, without it looking like a museum. Aubreyanne's house was pretty much empty excluding the few expensive-looking drawings and paintings, but nothing that immediately registered as sentimental, not even a family picture.
"And this is better?" Aubreyanne asked walking down the stairs and pulling Zaria's attention to her. She had changed into the cream-colored jumpsuit and it fit her perfectly, as everything she wore seemed to. It had thin cut sleeves leaving much of her shoulders and arms bare and her collarbone slightly exposed by the cut. The pants reached just at her ankles but like the rest of it, they were pretty baggy.
Zaria nodded in approval before averting her gaze for a moment. "Alright, let's get going then," She said leading the way out.
Once Aubreyanne had grabbed a pair of shoes and her bag, she settled in the passenger's seat of Zaria's car. "Can I ask where we're going?"
Zaria didn't tare her gaze from the road as she drove. "You'll see. I can assure you I do have a plan" She said although it didn't seem to do anything to ease Aubreyanne's curiosity or nerves.
Once they arrived Zaria excitedly led the way out and into the small building, with Aubreyanne trailing just slightly behind her. She had automatically put up her front once more, intimidating whatever poor souls that just happened to glance at them.
"...Uh I'll just go with the choco strawberry surprise," Zaria said before turning to Aubreyanne as she finally approached. "What will you be having?"
Aubreyanne scanned over the huge menu on the wall and lightly shrugged. "I'll have strawberry"
The man behind the counter nodded and turned to prepare their orders as they took a seat at a small round table in the corner. "What is this place?" Aubreyanne asked looking around at all the bright colors that surrounded her.
"It's the best milkshake bar in town...well according to Serena. She introduced me to it a few weeks ago, but I hadn't noticed it before that" Zaria hummed, finding it surprisingly easy to just be her.
Aubreyanne simply nodded causing the table to fall into silence, a slight awkwardness hanging above them, as they both considered what to say. Zaria was desperate to ask why Aubreyanne had even agreed to come along. It was one, out of character for her, and two, probably going against the reputation Aubreyanne built and worked to keep. But right now since they were just friends hanging out she decided to try to refrain from bringing on such topics.
"So what made you come with me? you could have just said no y'know" Zaria inwardly cursed and scolded herself, it was like her mouth loved to do the complete opposite of what her mind decided on.
Aubreyanne drew her eyes from looking around and focused them on Zaria. "I guess I wanted to see what would become of your declaration, or rather what you plan to prove to me," she said crossing her legs as a waiter set the drinks down in front of them. "it's not like I had much planned for today anyway"
Zaria just nodded, with a smile as she took a sip from the straw that was plunged past the heap of whipped cream and small candies. Aubreyanne's on the other hand was slightly smaller with just a pink tint visible through the tall glass.
She watched as Aubreyanne hesitantly took a sip, and then pulled back, and much to Zaria's amusement, Aubreyanne scowled at it. Zaria tried her very best not to laugh which she was failing. "have you never had a milkshake before?" She asked softly.
"I have...once or twice before" Aubreyanne responded, as she fiddled with the straw. "The cold and sweetness just get me every time. I'm not the biggest fan of cold"
Zaria couldn't help but smile as Aubreyanne attempted another sip. She glanced at her own she had a whole additional heap of sugar on top of the already sweet flavor. Zaria had assured Aubreyanne she didn't have to drink it if she didn't want to, since Zaria didn't ask her beforehand but Aubreyanne still insisted.
At first, she had planned to call it a day after the milkshakes, but when she heard why Aubreyanne decided to tag along, she didn't want to disappoint and she felt like she now had to prove her point. If Aubreyanne came to see if Zaria would live up to her word, then Zaria would simply do so.
She already knew where they were headed next.