Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

I’m suddenly surrounded by warmth and the love of my friends. And it’s nice.

Nik doesn’t say anything for a while then, “Money. ”

Jace avoids my gaze when Nik states, “He needs money, Tina. That’s why he’s here. ”

My mouth drops open. I don’t believe it. But Jace doesn’t deny it.

Nik gets right up in Jace’s face and says with frightening calm, “I swear to God, you ever come near her again and I will gut you and use your intestines to decorate my Christmas tree. You’re nothing to Tina. Just somebody she used to know. ”

Lola hold Trick’s hand and boasts, “Tina has something good here. She doesn’t even think about you anymore. ”

Mimi steps forward and states, “If I were you I’d get going. These guys are former gang members. I wouldn’t push ‘em. ”

Jace’s eyes widen and his face pales. My dad actually smiles harder.

Jace clears this throat and tells me, “You look good. ” Then he turns on his heel and leaves.

Pandemonium breaks out with everyone talking at once. I’m getting questions from all sides and anxiety fills me.

I step back and shout, “Can everyone shut the fuck up?”

My dad gasps and says, “Valentina, you no be rude you friends like that!”

I nod my head in agreement and try again, “Can everyone please shut the fuck up?” My dad nods his head in a that’s better motion. I continue, “I know you must all have questions but I’m in no mood to answer them. So please excuse yourselves because all I want to do right now is go to bed. ”

I kiss my father’s cheek and ask, “You need a place to stay or are you heading home?”

He utters, “I go home. Look. ” He points to my friends and whispers, “You no need me. ”

I take dad’s hand, squeeze it, and I tell him, “I’ll always need you, Ta. Always. ”

Then I head down the hall to my room, leaving everyone behind.

I lay on my bed ten minutes before my room bursts open. Nat, Meems, and Lola bring in the pizza that Nik brought and sit on my bed.

Mimi says, “The guys left but you must be out of your mind if you think we’re leaving, doll. ”

Nat asks, “Is tonight a ‘Night at the Roxbury’ kind of night? Or more of an ‘Uncle Buck’ kind of night?”

Lola replies, “I thought it was more of a ‘That Thing You Do’ kind of…”

I cut her off with, “You’re all wrong. It’s a ‘Zoolander’ kind of night. ”

They all laugh and clap. I sit up on the bed and bow my head regally. I’m glad they didn’t leave.

We spend the night eating pizza and watching ‘Zoolander’, quoting the movie and laughing our heads off.

Friendships like these are hard to come by. I believe if you can count your true friends on your one hand you’re blessed. I’d rather have three true friends than three hundred acquaintances.

Mimi and Lola leave after the movie. I’m back in bed and think about tonight. I was so worried about seeing Jace but now all I can think is Jace who?

Just as I’m falling asleep, my phone buzzes on the bedside cabinet. I read the text and chuckle.

Nik: Would rather be in your bed tonight but don’t want another freaky sleepover with Nat.

Me: Haha… I’m glad you were here tonight.

Nik: Me too, baby. I would tell you I love you but I’m trying to give you time…