Lainey
"Ahh Owen, you could have gone," I yell as he waits at an intersection.
Owen glares at the road, "Unlike you, I would like to live to see tomorrow."
I glare at his side profile and the faint outline of facial hair, "No cars were coming!"
I guess someone didn't shave this morning.
Owen gently pulls out, his car practically groaning, "I hope I never have to ride in a car with you."
I simply cross my arms and keep my retort to myself.
We spent most of the day with his grandmother. When we did get back to his house his mom still wasn't home, so I helped him with chores.
The first one was how to remove stains from clothes. You would have thought I just told him he won a million dollars.
It was sort of cute to see him so excited over the fact some grass stains can come out of clothes.
Now we are driving to Maizes to pick her up. She thinks she found the lady who granted my wish.
Owen parks the car outside of Maize's house and before he can turn it off Maize comes running out and throws open his door.
"Well, hello," Owen draws.
"Go," Maize exclaims and slams his door shut.
"Damn it, Huntley drive," Maize yells as Owen slowly pulls out.
"Calm down, I'm going," Owen snaps.
Maize turns around in the back seat and watches out the back window, "What's wrong?" Owen asks, his car blinker dinging in the background.
I snort, "She's probably scared she's never going to see her home again."
Owen glares at me, "Are you a toddler?"
Maize frantically buckles her seat belt, "What the fuck kind of question is that?" She asks.
Owen sighs, "I was talking to Lainey."
Maize's mouth morphs into an O-shape, "How is Lainey-Lee doing this fine morning?"
I laugh, "Much better now."
A small smile dances on Owens's lips, it almost reminds me of a child, "She said she is feeling better after having a major, explosive shit this morning."
I shove Owens's arm and Maizd sighs, "Sorry about the snapping at you earlier, I just didn't want Trey to see me."
Owen and I both nod, but Owen is still wearing that childish smile, "So he wouldn't think you're cheating on him?"
Maize snarls at Owen from the backseat as she pulls out her phone. Owen looks at me and sucks air in through his teeth, making a hissing sound, "Uh oh, did I piss Maize off?"
The sound that comes from Maize has us both laughing.
~~~~
Maize had somehow tracked the fortune teller to a flea market about an hour away. Which meant we had an hour with the three of us stuck in a car. Luckily Owen had kept the teasing to a minimum while Maize caught me up on the past week.
Once Owen parked his car the three of us climbed out. I dramatically sigh, "If I had been normal, I would be sick from Owens driving."
Owen glares at me from over the hood of his car, "If you had been normal, I would have delighted in seeing you vomiting."
Okay, gross. But I mentally applaud him, that comeback was amazing and one I would have used.
I simply flip Owen off and Maize looks at Owen confused, "What?"
Owen smirks, "Lainey said she may need to revisit the bathroom."
When I walk past Owen I shove his shoulder, causing Maize to groan, "If this is going to work you are going to have to say exactly what she says not some made-up bullshit."
I cross my arms and stare at Owen, "Exactly. Get your shit together."
Owen laughs and it's a deep fluttery sound, "Is that your attempt at looking scary?"
I roll my eyes and follow Maize who is already walking into the crowds.
Maize leads us through tons and tons of booths, some containing clothes and some containing any type of junk you could think of. |
Mazie holds up a dress and turns to Owen and me, "What do you think?"
Four booths ago Owen learned that she was talking to me not him, her exact words to him were, "I wasn't asking for your smart-ass opinion."
Since then, Owen has kept his mouth shut unless it was to translate for me. "Tell her it looks good, but the way it ties in the back may make it look unflattering."
"She said it looks great, but it will make your butt look flat," Owen says dryly.
I groan and Maize hangs the dress back up, "I am beginning to see why Lainey despised you so much."
Owen just grins.
~~~~
After a lot of walking Maize suggests we stop for lunch since we still haven't come across the fortune teller. Maize's choice for food is a food truck that only sells mac and cheese.
After a long look at the menu Owen and I get plain, and Maize gets hers with bacon on it. "That will be $10.50," The older man who took our order says.
Owen takes a five out of his wallet and Maize waves it off, "Don't bother I got it." Before he can object Maize hands him her card. A look crosses Owens's face and Maize smiles as she gets her card back. "I'll bring the food if you want to sit down."
I nod and Owen picks a small table away from everyone. He puts his phone up to his ear and looks at me. "Did you tell Maize about my living situation?"
Confusion takes hold of my face, "What?"
Why the frick his phone against his ear if he's not talking to anyone?
He glares at me, "I get you're best friends, but I don't her sympathy."
I shake my head, "What are you talking about."
It hits me, that the reason he has the phone to his ear is no one sees him talking to a chair, they will just think he is on the phone with someone.
"She paid for my fucking meal like I'm some type of charity case," Owen growls.
Oh.
I let a long breath through my lips, "Owen, she is my best friend, but I would never tell her that." I can't believe he would think that.
"Then why did she pay for my meal?" Owen throws back.
"Because she always tries to pay. The three of us take turns paying because Maize always tries to pay." I reach across the table and place my hand over the top of his, "Even if she did know she wouldn't treat you any different."
Owen slowly takes his phone away from his ear, and I realize my hand is still over the top of his.
I draw my hand back and Owen runs it through his hair, "I'm sorry I snapped, I just." He stops and closes his eyes as if he doesn't know what to say. "I don't want sympathy."
In that moment I can see the pain in his eyes. He's scared I'm going to make fun of him, or I will tell someone, and they will make fun of him.
I give him a light smile, "Don't worry Huntley, I won't ever tell anyone."
He smiles and his entire face relaxes.
I would never tell anyone about Owen because it doesn't matter what his home looks like. It's no one's business.
Before I can dwell anymore Mazie comes with our food and declares she found the fortune teller.