Never Really Real: Chapter 10

I’m Kidding, Guys

"Mom said it'd be fine if I went over," I told Annabelle at school the next day. It was Friday and I had stuffed a bunch of clothes in my backpack so we could head straight there after school.

    "Good," she replied. We stopped by her locker so she could grab her gym bag and we went to the cafeteria. Every Friday, they served donuts. They were so good.

    "It's weird that Danielle's going to be there. Like, at my house." Annabelle shivered and then smiled as she piled three donuts onto her plate.

    "You know, they charge you for more than one, right?"

    She nodded. "I brought cash."

    I rolled my eyes as she paid and we went over to our table. I had gotten a lemon meringue while Annabelle had picked up a lemon, a glazed, and an apple fritter. After our "new beginning" Annabelle had invited Dani--it was so weird to call her that-- to stay with us.

    We had just sat down when Dani came over, her floral backpack slung over one shoulder. "Hey, can I sit with you guys today?"

    We nodded. Well, I did. Annabelle continued to feast. Dani--still weird-- took a seat and put her hands palm down on the table.

    I looked at her hands and then up at her face. "Aren't you going to get a donut?" I asked.

    She shook her head. "I don't eat that much sugar."

    Oh, boy!

    "So are we going to the mall this weekend?"

    Annabelle and I looked at each other. Annabelle answered. "Um... we only go to the mall when we want to get books."

    Dani stared at us like we were from a different planet. I had heard the expression described and I'm pretty sure that was the look she was giving me. "You don't go to the mall?"

    I shrugged. "We do. Just not often. And usually just for books."

    Annabelle jumped in. "Although, Mom sometimes forces me to go shopping for clothes." She shivered. "That's a horrible time."

    Dani openly gaped at us and I almost laughed. Harlow slid into the seat next to Annabelle and took a bite of one of her donuts.

    "Hey," she exclaimed, grabbing it back.

    "So what's going on here?" Harlow asked, his mouth full of donut. "Catfight?"

    Dani turned to gaze at him. "Catfight?" she repeated.

    Hints of confusion showed on his face, but he replied, "You know, like two or more cats a.k.a girls fighting."

    "No, I don't."

    Harlow turned to me with a sigh. "Please explain why the world is spinning slightly off course, Maya?"

    I smiled hesitantly. "Dani is kind of our friend now."

    Now Harlow gaped at us. "Dani? Friend?" he asked, looking from us to her.

    I spoke slowly. "Yes. Dani. Friend."

    Harlow turned to Annabelle, his eyes wide. "You still love me right?"

    Annabelle nodded vigorously as she continued to eat.

    "Oh, good. That hasn't changed." He sighed, a dramatic hand over his heart.

    Dani looked at the two of them. "First, I think she likes her food more than you. Second, you two are a thing?"

    Annabelle sat up straight, swallowed, and glared faster than I could say books. "I love Harlow more than any kind of food. And we are a thing, whatever that is, and your gossip spies misinformed you."

    Dani jumped back, startled. "S-sorry."

    I sighed. "Calm down, both of you. Dani, her and Harlow are an unofficial thing. Annabelle, give Dani the benefit of the doubt."

    Annabelle but down the plastic knife by her plate. Dani was still watching her warily. I knew Annabelle had no intention of using the knife but it was a defensive scare tactic. I think. Maybe she would have used it.

    Dani stood up. "I'm going to go. I'll see you guys tonight." With a final, apprehensive glance at Annabelle, she walked away to another table.

    "Tonight?" Harlow asked.

    Annabelle sighed. "I'll explain later. When I understand it."

Annabelle and I were sitting at her dining room table. It was in it's own separate room from the kitchen and we were playing scrabble while we waited for Dani.

    "I bed you scared her away for good," I said.

    She shrugged. "If she can't handle us at school, she has no chance at home.

    I shrugged in agreement and we continued our game. I glanced at the clock. It was about half-past seven. We both twisted in our chairs as the doorbell rang once, and then twice, and then a third time.

    Annabelle scrambled out of her seat and turned back to smile at me. It was more of an evil smile. One she had perfected over the years. "She actually came."

    She went to open the door and I could hear them talking as they walked into the kitchen. Dani was smiling as she sat down with us. Annabelle shoved the game back into it's box and I got up to make all of us cups of hot tea. I handed them theirs and then walked back into the kitchen to get mine

    "So," Dani asked. "What do you guys gossip about? Guys."

    Annabelle nodded solomly. "We do."

    "Really, who?" Dani asked, as she sipped her tea.

    "Imaginary ones," I replied with a smile.

    Dani looked confused. "How can you gossip about them?"

    "They can be pretty cute! Like Percy has the awesomest hair and Peeta for... well, he is literally the nicest guy ever!"

    "Huh?" she asked. Then she shook her head. "Nevermind. I'll probably get more confused."

    "You would," we agreed.

    There was an awkward moment of silence where we all looked at each other. Then we all burst out laughing. Dani had a nice laugh, not as pitchy as she sounded in school.

    When we had stopped, after several minutes of glancing at each other and starting up again, Dani smiled. "So, do we plan out our outfits for tomorrow?"

    Annabelle and I looked at each other skeptically. "Um..."

    "We can get the most sparkly clothes we can find!"

    "Um..."

    "And heels!"

    "Excu-"

    "And mini-skirts!"

    I stared at her. I was pretty sure Annabelle was doing the same.

    She laughed as she set her tea down. "I'm kidding, guys. It's a joke!"

    Annabelle gave a shakey laugh and I sighed in relief. "Oh, thank goodness."