The Other Side of Tomorrow

She shrugs. “In school, it was the cool thing. It’s stupid, but it’s true. And I know you’re not like that, but it was easy to keep the charade going. The truth is, I’m not like that at all. Especially after what happened. I realize now what an intimate part of myself I shared with someone who didn’t matter, and I can never take that back. I’m not saying you have to be twenty-five before you lose your virginity, but no matter when it is, it should be with someone you care about. There are no take backs. No do-overs. Once it’s done it’s done.”

“Oh, Meredith,” I breathe.

“Don’t feel sorry for me, seriously don’t. I made a bad choice, but I learned from it. It hurt when you brought it up yesterday because I could see the judgment in your eyes because you believed all the lies I’d told. But even if I had done all that, I still shouldn’t be judged for it.”

“You’re right,” I admit.

She holds out her coffee cup. “We’re good now.”

“We’re good,” I echo, and bump my cup against hers.

nbsp;***

Somehow, I guess to make up for my being a bitch, I let Meredith talk me into going to the mall.nbsp;

It’s not that I mind shopping, I like it sometimes, but with Meredith it usually turns into an all-day excursion where I fall into bed dead tired at the end of it.

We walk into the mall and Meredith stops dead in her tracks inhaling a big breath.

“Do you smell that?”

“Um … no?”

She smirks. “It’s the smell of the smoke that’s going to be coming off of my credit card when I’m done here.”

I shake my head. “Your parents were so dumb to add you to their account.”

She shrugs. “They haven’t regretted it yet, so let’s put it to good use.”

She grabs my hand and begins dragging me around from store to store, dressing me like I’m some sort of project of hers—which I have to face it, I am. Meredith has been trying to style me a whole new wardrobe for years. I guess now she’s decided she’ll have to buy it for me.

She holds up a white shirt with a yellow daisy print.nbsp;

“This would be cute on you.” She piles it into my arms with the other garments she’s deemed worthy.

“Meredith, seriously, stop it. I can’t afford this and you don’t need to be buying it for me on your parents’ credit card.”

“Oh, shush,” she hushes me, already perusing another rack.

“Meredith—” I start again.

She glares at me. “This is still you making up for yesterday so zip your lips.”

“How is you buying me stuff a part of me making up to you? I’m lost.”

She sighs, clearly exasperated. “Because you’re my Barbie doll for the day.”

“Oh no, no, no, no,” I chant.nbsp;

She glares, her eyes narrowed. I’m sure if she had laser vision I’d be fried right about now.nbsp;

“You owe me,” is all she says, before turning back to the rack.

I whimper. I’m in for it. I know it.

An hour later we leave that store, laden down with bags. Thankfully, it’s not all for me and she did splurge on herself some. Unfortunately, I know she’s far from done shopping, so I brace myself for the rest of the day.

“Come on, Meredith. My arms are killing me,” I whine, dragging bags along the ground since I’m too weak to carry them.