Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

The camera moves left then right. It looks like it’s shaking its head no!

The nerve!

Admit it, you got busted.

Yeah. Totally busted.

***

I spend most of the next morning teaching Nat and Lola how to use the new security equipment.

I see Nat’s finger twitch by the panic button. I smile and warn, “I wouldn’t if I were you. Ghost will hand you your ass on a platter. ”

Her face falls and her lips pout. I giggle at her adorableness.

This is why we’re friends.

I spend the rest of the morning vacuuming around the drill holes and re-steaming clothes that got dusted yesterday. Once I’m sure the items are like new I place them back on display.

Lola and I chat. I ask her about Trick and what’s new.

She responds, “I’m not sure what’s going on with Trick. Just when I think he’s going to make a move, he stops. And I’m there, you know? I want it to happen. But something’s holding him back. Not sure what more I can do. ”

I turn thoughtful. Nik told me Trick moved back in with his Mom. He didn’t elaborate but I’m sure it has something to do with her. Maybe she’s sick? I don’t want to make assumptions to Lola and freak her out so I stroke her pretty brown hair and utter, “Be patient, honey. Trick isn’t a player. There must be a reason. ”

She nods and replies sourly, “Hope he’s worth waiting for. ” She looks at me and immediately softens. “Because I will, you know? I’ll wait. ” She lowers her head and nods as if reassuring herself. “For Trick, I’ll wait. ”

I squeeze her shoulder and make my way towards the counter. Just as I get there I see an older man on the other side of the road. He’s clutching his chest and using his bowler hat to fan himself.

Holy Smokes!

He’s going to faint!

I run to the staff room, get a bottle of water from the fridge and snatch my stash of candy from counter before bolting out the door. I run into traffic using my hands to show cars I’m trying to help someone; luckily the cars stop.

I reach the short, African American man just as he’s about to fall. I put my arms around him and slowly lower him to sit on his bottom against The White Rabbit.

I quickly ask, “Are you okay?” I open the water and hand it to him.

He takes it from me with shaking hands, drinks a little and replies breathily, “Oh, thank you, child. It seems the sun has it out for me today. ”

My heart slows its pace and I plop down next to the old man.

I open up my stash of raspberry bullets and hold it out to him. He raises a brow but takes one and pops it into his mouth.

With the candy at the side of his mouth he says, “These are my favorite. ”

I nudge his shoulder slightly and reply a little over excitedly, “Me, too!”

Bonding with an old man over candy is nice. Don’t judge me.

He chuckles but quickly firms his voice and reprimands, “You could’ve got hurt rushing over here, child. Best not be doing that again. ”

I nod and reply, “Sorry, I’d promise I won’t but if I saw someone going down the way you were, I probably would. ”

I hold out a hand to him and say, “I’m Tina. ”

For some reason, his face looks stunned for a moment.