Chapter Six
Layla
So far, Juliet’s phone remains silent. Still, as I shift through the dresses on the clearance rack, I can’t help but wonder how many people may have already seen those texts. I hope Juliet doesn’t find out. “Layla, for the last time will you quit making that face? It’s going to be fine. So what, if a few messages got put out there?” Rachel says.
I release my lower lip from my teeth and shake my head. “It was wrong.” Even though I’d gladly kick Mark in the balls if I ever come in contact with him again. I had no idea how bad it was. Juliet certainly hasn’t told me he was sending her stupid videos. She just said she was not going to answer her phone anymore while on break.
“Okay, new subject. Why are you looking at dresses again?”
As if my stomach wasn’t already in knots, this subject is even worse than the text messages fiasco. I take a deep breath. “I’m supposed to go meet Tyler’s family.”
Her eyes level with mine. She bursts out laughing. “Good one. Seriously though, why?”
“I am serious.”
“Wow. Really? Isn’t it like a little soon for that?”
“On top of that, they apparently exchange gifts. Does that mean I should get him something? Is he getting me something?” I move the hangers sharply to the left. Each dress seems to be just as awful as the last. No wonder why they’re all on clearance. “Then there is this whole family thing; am I supposed to get his mother something?”
“Okay, you need to calm down. And, hell no to that one unless you want his mother to kick you out of the house for your poor taste in fashion.” I place the red dress back on the rack as she continues. “Why don’t you ask him if you should?”
“I can’t just flat out ask him, ‘Hey, I was wondering if you were planning to get me something for Christmas?’ That’s super rude. And he’ll think I want him to get me a gift, or that I’m using him for his money. I’m not going to let him think I’m some gold digger.”
She sneers. “He won’t think that. It’s a need-to-know question. Since when have you ever been afraid to ask a question? Who are you and what have you done with my friend?” She pokes my side, and I smack her hand away.
“Quit it. I’m being serious. Could I ask one of his friends?”
“Again, ask him. Guys aren’t like girls. They don’t talk about this kind of stuff.”
I frown. “I can’t ask him. What if he had no intention of getting me anything more than a simple card? Asking him would guilt him into getting me a gift. I want us to be on the same page, not like how Adam and I were.”
“For goodness sake, this relationship is nothing like what you and that idiot had. Tyler actually does things you like; it’s not all about him. He even thinks your sister is cool.”
I smile. He does think Juliet is pretty cool. Adam always pretended my twin didn’t exist. At least Tyler always acknowledges her. Even if she looks like a ‘cavewoman,’ as he put it.
Her phone has remained relatively quiet. Maybe I should suck it up and check on her. Rachel’s probably right, she doesn’t know what I did and even if she does find out, she may be too numb to care. God, if I see Mark, I’m kicking his sorry ass!
Rachel sighs. “I’m going over there to see if I can find something. Be right back.”
I nod, pull out Juliet’s phone, and frown. She doesn’t have a voice-to-text app. I’ll just call her. The phone rings about three times before I hear, “I swear you have the worst timing in the world. What do you want?”
“What do you want for Christmas besides Mark’s head on a stick?”
That should get a little laugh out of her. Maybe. Oh, crap maybe that was the wrong thing to say.
There is a loud crunching sound in my ear. “Doesn’t matter. Books. Gift card. Whatever. What did you want?”
“Are you planning on leaving the house?” I cringe at the thought. I hope if that’s her plan, she at least brushes her hair and puts on a clean shirt.
“Why would I do that? I can get anything online. Anytime.”
I sigh in relief. Although a huge part of me had hoped she would get out of the house. It isn’t healthy for her to be cooped up in that smelly room of hers.
“Helloooo, I have a game to get back to. What do you want me to get you?” Juliet says.
“Oh, I don’t care. Gift cards are fine. You know what stores I like.”
“Yep.”
“What do you think I should get Tyler?”
She groans. “How should I know? I’m not dating him.”
I’m just about to tell her thanks for the awesome help when her phone pulses against my palm. I pull it from my ear to see an incoming text appear from her friend, Adaline.
Adaline: OMG!!! That text string was AMAZING! Good 4 u!
“Uh … right. Never mind.”
“What did you do?” Juliet asks.
“Nothing.” I swallow hard.
Her phone buzzes again. This message is from her other friend, Chase.
Chase: Um … Gotta tell u that was kind of cold what u did. I’m here if u wanna talk.
Crap! I chew on my lip. Do I ignore them? Yes. I’ll figure something out later.
“Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your game.”
“Fine. Don’t go crazy, that’s my advice. I know you. Sometimes you go all out because you think more is the goal. Less can be a goal too. Simple. Something meaningful. I guess. What the hell do I know? I’m single. You’re not.”
“Okay. Thanks.” What can I possibly say to that?
“The bright side of this is, if he doesn’t like it, you can keep it for yourself.”
“Oh my God. You’re a freaking genius!”
She grumbles. “Yippee. I’m super smart. I’m getting off here.”
Without even a goodbye, she ends our call. I tuck her phone back into my purse.
“Did you finally call him?” Rachel asks as she appears with a shirt in her grip that’s nothing like she would normally wear.
I wrinkle my nose. “Please tell me that’s not for you. And no, I was talking to Juliet to ask her what she wanted for Christmas.”
Rachel glances down at the shirt in her hand and looks up at me. “Why, you don’t like it?” she asks with a serious expression.
“No. It looks like something my mom would wear.”
She smiles. “I was kidding. This is for my mom.”
“Oh. Cool.”
“No, it isn’t, but it’s her style. Whatever. So, what did your sister want? Please tell me we don’t have to go to that creepy wizard store again. The sales clerk with the bullring was disgusting.” She shudders. “I’d rather be hit by a bus than have to enter that place ever again.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re in luck. She doesn’t need anything from there, and it’s a comic store, not a wizard store.”
“I don’t care, I’m not going back in there with you.” She walks up to the counter and slaps the gift for her mom down. The woman running the cash register gives us a dirty look. Rachel doesn’t seem to notice. “Oh.” She turns to me. “Does she want something from the video game store here? Because the guy that works there is hella hot. I’m down with going there.”
This is the only way Rachel will even attempt to enter any stores with me when shopping for Juliet. The sales clerks need to be hot or she’s not going in.
As Rachel reaches for her bag, I feel a pulsing sensation through the phone pouch in my purse. I pull it out and pale. “Shit.”