The Unexpected Best Friends

Chapter 8 – Her plea

Ella was experiencing a blissful relationship. You could say Dave is everything she wished for in a guy. Though there’s a considerable age gap between them, and he could probably get any woman he wants, he was considerate of her. After everything she experienced before, it kinda feel too good to be true to her.

Dave likes her honesty. Though she exhibits certain immaturities, she’s more than willing to listen to his comments and pieces of advice. He could see the admiration in her eyes and the apparent eagerness to learn. She listens very attentively and she knows to ask the right questions. She’s a learner and he likes her for it.

Sometimes she’s full of wisdom, other times she’s acting dumb. It’s adorable. She’s trying hard to learn a lot and she did declare to be more mature than she currently is. She could be tenacious.

On the other hand, they’ve gone on a few more dates. They continued to meet at the library. There, they would spend hours just reading their respective books, then eating lunch together. Sometimes, he would hold her hand while they leaf through the pages. They’ve tried reading one book together, but it proved inefficient. It seemed sweet, though. Whoever finishes reading the page first would stare at the other. When you see the other already looking at you when you’re done, you turn to the next page. It was a fun game, but it consumes more time than necessary. Especially when there are multiple copies of the book available anyway.

One time, they tried a reading race. There’s this little booklet. Each of them took one and started reading at the same time. Whoever finishes first gets treated to a meal. Ella won the first time. Dave was suspicious so he quizzed her on the content. She managed to answer everything he asked. She demanded a dessert as payback for doubting her. It didn’t sit well with her, but well… it’s just a game?

Dave did notice her reaction when he did that and he was feeling guilty. He brought her flowers again and that cheered her up. He did explain himself and they agreed to let it go. Dave can tell there’s a story there but she isn’t willing to share yet.

Ella truly appreciates Dave’s entrance in her life. His role is more than a lover. Well, they haven’t exactly been more intimate than kissing and holding hands. He was respectful and wouldn’t do anything she’s not ready of.

Ella would usually react in an uncomfortable manner when his hands wander during a heated kiss. He would eventually behave but she’s not sure if she should just… let him.

At the back of her mind, maybe she’s afraid that once he’s gotten her, he’ll probably leave her… just like everyone before him. Maybe. Maybe not. But she’s not willing to risk it and find out this soon. She wants to have more memories with him.

She knew things are going so well… so smoothly, that she’s afraid and almost anticipating the moment it will all go downhill.

It did happen almost two months into their relationship. A few times, he mentioned his friends and his closest friends but she hasn’t met any of them yet. She knew there’s a possibility she knows some of them. Dave hasn’t taken her to his club yet. She wants to avoid it like a plague. But of course, she can’t continue doing that.

He did convince her to come with him and to meet one of his best friends. She braced herself, sure that something bad or embarrassing would happen. Her past would come to haunt her. But she’ll have to face it eventually. 

Maybe she should have come clean and told him the truth. Her past. She couldn’t bear to see his look of hate or disgust.

He brought her there early, hours before opening. Apparently, his best friend comes an hour early so they could chat before he gets busy.

Ella doesn’t think his employees recognize her.

“She’s here.” Dave informed her, merely raising a hand to acknowledge his friend’s presence.

Jamie hasn’t recognized her from a far, and she merely looked familiar to her. She can’t exactly pinpoint where she’d seen her. On the contrary, Ella’s blood was drained from her face. Dave noticed her pale complexion and asked her if she’s alright.

When Jamie sat on a bar stool, she introduced them. Jamie has this curious look on her face, and Ella couldn’t look at her. At all. Her eyes would not look directly at the other woman’s.

She’s doomed. She knew it. Dave is her best friend? Such a small world. But then again, they’re in the same city. Same town.

Jamie happened to be an ex of her ex. Her latest ex. The one that made her feel so low and disgusting. The one who discarded her after saying a ton of hurtful words. He made her feel worthless. Unworthy. Undeserving of love. 

Actually, she learned later on that Daniel hasn’t exactly broken up with his girlfriend before getting involved with her. She truly thought he was available when they hooked up. No wonder people have said she ruins other people’s relationships. She gets into the middle of it all.

It was not as if it was intentional. How is she to know truth from lies? Okay, maybe now she could discern it better. She’d learned a few tricks to know when someone is lying. But back then… yes, she was stupid. She acknowledges that.

But what would Dave think of her? 

“Ella?” Dave tapped her arm and looked very concerned for her well-being. He knew she’s uncomfortable about coming here. It wasn’t as obvious earlier, but now… he can clearly see it.

Ella took a deep breath and forced a smile on her face. She looked up at him and said, “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”

Jamie watched their interaction and inwardly grinned. They looked cute together. She squinted at the girl, though. She’s sure she’d seen her somewhere before.

Ella tried not to be obvious. She managed to talk to Jamie but she still felt a little guilty. The three of them had a light meal for dinner and then… Dave left them to work.

The two women stared at each other, sizing the other up.

“I’m sorry.” Ella decided this is the proper approach. She’s just not sure if the woman won’t cause a scene. Who knows if she still harbors bad feelings about what happened previously? Would she slap her? Call her a b***h? Pull her hair out? Her lip twitched at how her imagination already run wild. 

Jamie frowned. “What for?” She even smiled hesitantly at her.

“You don’t recognize me, do you?” She brought it up.

“You look familiar…”

“But you can’t put your finger on it?”

“Yes.” Jamie agreed.

Ella bit her lip before raising her eyes to look at her again. 

“I swear I didn’t know you guys haven’t broken up yet. He told me you were no longer seeing each other. I took it to mean…” She couldn’t continue. Ella was waiting for her to explode.

Jamie blinked a few times. What did she just hear? Frowning, she uttered, “What?”

Ella didn’t say anymore but simply waited. It seems like she hasn’t made the connection yet.

“As for Dave, I really like him and I’m trying to change as well. I’m no longer that girl. I don’t do those things anymore. I’m trying to find my worth. And I’m trying to find someone who would appreciate that worth. Dave seems to.”

Jamie couldn’t understand her words, she kept looking into the girl’s eyes. Who is she?

“Please don’t tell Dave what you’ve seen me doing with your ex.” She clasped her hands in front of her, begging her to listen and do as she requested.

“I’ve changed, I swear.” Her pleading look seemed to remind Jamie of something.

Damn. What? Her eyes widened as she finally remembered who this girl is. Her mouth opened wide in surprise. The heck?

Being finally recognized, Ella shrunk low. She couldn’t even lift her eyes. Her past is seriously something she would like everyone to forget.

Jamie coughed as she recovered from the shock.

“You were that girl? The one I caught with Daniel, the scumbag?” Jamie whispered, not wanting to draw anyone’s attention. She still couldn’t believe this is the same girl. She looked her over again. Well, the clothes she’s wearing are definitely a-hundred-eighty-degree-change. Her demeanor is also very different. Her behavior… Jamie couldn’t reconcile the two. Her words belatedly penetrated her mind. This girl is saying she’s changed. She can see that.