My Brother’s Best Friend 2

CHAPTER 7

(SOLANA’S POV)

I felt very guilty as my eyes settled on my best friend Chloe Glover. Chloe looked like she was struck and it looked like there was a lot of pain and disbelief in her eyes.

“Solana,” she called

“Chloe,” I called back.

For a minute, we stood looking at each other as if taking in our appearances.

Chloe was taller now and her pixie cut hairstyle was now curly shiny dark hair that looked so beautiful and glossed. Of course her hair would look fabulous seeing as for years now she has been working as a prestigious celebrity stylist.

She was dressed in a beautiful light blue dress and she was made up looking so beautiful.

“Oh Chloe.” I breathed out. And together, at the same time we hurried towards each other in a warm embrace.

I felt the tears prick my eyes as I hugged her tightly. I missed her so much and with the way she hugged me back tightly, I knew that she missed me too.

We let each other go to stare in to our eyes and look at our faces.

“I can’t believe you are. Like you are really here.” She said looking over me as she held my hands.

“And you’re leaving? Are you leaving?” She said nd then her eyes went to my bags that were on the ground not far from me.

“I- I-“ I was stammering because I was not sure of what to say.

I felt too ashamed to tell Chloe why I had come all the way without even letting her know. And I felt guilty that I almost left without even seeing her. How could I have not thought of my best friend?

“You are leaving.” She said and disappointment filled her eyes as she let go of my hands.

“I’m sorry Chloe.” I said.

she shook her head at me in disbelief.

“I don’t know what to say.” She said and i could clearly see that she was hurt. “Are things between us really that different? Are things so bad? We spoke on the phone two nights ago, you never mentioned that you were coming.”

“That’s because I didn’t plan on coming. I made the decision in such a haste because I had to come for something urgent.” I said explaining

“Is it work?” She asked and without waiting for me to answer, she said. “It’s work isn’t it? Of course it is. But even then, you didn’t think to call me. And you are going to whiz off just like that. Solana we have not seen in years. Don’t you miss me?”

The last line broke my heart and seeing the tears gather in Chloe’s eyes, I teared up too as well.

“No Chloe don’t say that. Of course I miss you. I just, I came and I did not think I would leave so soon but then things are so different and no one wants me here.” I said

“What? How can you say that Lana?” She asked taking my hands in hers. “How can you say that when you did not even tell me that you’re here.”

I sighed. She was right. “I’m so sorry.” I said feeling guilty as I looked down.

“I can never not want you here.” She said to me taking my hand again. “But it does not mean that I am not mad at you.”

“I know you are.” I said

“But it doesn’t stop us from being best friends.” She said to me and then with a raised eyebrow, she added. “Or does it?”

I shook my head slowly and then I sighed.

“You are always my best friend. Always.” I said

The thing with Chloe and I. All these years even though I was really hard, she was just like my mum. She stayed by me and she condoned my behavior. She never for once forced me or got mad at me. She was patient with me and thinking about it now made me feel guilty.

“Oh Chloe. Where do I start from?” I said hugging myself as if I felt cold. “Everything is just so different now. Even I’m different.”

I said slowly.

“How about we start from you are staying for my birthday. Your best friend’s birthday. Which I can’t believe you forgot.” She said to me with a blaming gaze.

“Oh Chlo! I did not forget your birthday. I mean I know that I haven’t been a great best friend but I would never forget your birthday. It’s in a week. I just was not thinking because of how sudden I came here.” I tried to explain to her.

“I know you would never forget my birthday. But are you going to stay? Come on, you can stay or can’t you?” She asked me with pleading eyes. “Just until my birthday.”

I was silent thinking of what to tell her. With the whole thing going on now with Pete, I was not sure that staying was a good ide.

“Is it work? If work is really important then it’s fine. You can go really.” She said but I knew that she felt hurt even with the way she was saying it.

“No it’s not that. It’s just that.” I sighed because it felt difficult to say it.

“You can tell me Solana. It’s me Chloe. I know that things have changed but I swear that I have not.” She said and with a shrug and a smile, she added. “Except my hair.”

We both laughed and I felt better. Her happy eyes jogged my memories. All the memories I had with her, right from when I was only a toddler till when we grew older. It is the truth. Chloe will always be my best friend and she will always love me.

“Things around here has changed. I don’t think people want me around.” I said to her avoiding her gaze.

“Oh Solana.” She said to me and I could hear he sad tone in her voice. Then she took my hand in hers and squeezed gently “Do you know about Pete?”

I managed to look at her and I could see the sadness and compassion in her eyes.

I nodded at her slowly. And without a word, she opened her arms and I stepped in to her embrace. She hugged me tightly and I sighed trying my best not to sob.

“It’s fine. It’s okay.” I said to her as I stepped back, clearing my throat so that I would not let myself tear up.

“That was what I was trying to tell you on the phone.” She said to me

I sighed. Yes, the way I had snapped back at her. If only I had listened to her, maybe I would have not embarrassed myself this way.

“It’s fine really. We are not together anymore.” I said to her

“Solana….” Chloe started saying .

“It’s fine Chloe. Really, it’s fine. I have no right to even tell him what to do anymore. He wants to get married and that’s fine. It’s been heard by the way” I said.

But deep down, as I said these words, I felt a jab to my heart with each word. I knew how it made me feel.

“But Solana, he is getting married to….” She was saying to me but I cut her short.

“Tia right?” I said as if it did not hurt me. “Yes. I know. They came in here. And she was the one who announced it to me.”

I felt pain as I recalled the way Tia had walked in looking as glossy and beautiful as ever holding on to Pete. The memory hurt me.

“I don’t even think Larry wants me here too.” I said desperate to change what we were talking about.

“Don’t say that. He is your brother .” She said shaking her head at me.

“Well we are not so cool anymore. I don’t even understand what’s going on between us.” I said. “I don’t understand what is going on.”

Chloe came and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“This is your home. And everyone misses you. Forget what’s going on now.” She said to me

I wished that I believed her.

“Stay for my birthday Solana. Stay.” She pleaded holding my hand and looking in to my eyes.

I sighed deeply . I did miss Chloe. And it was only for a week.

“Well you are my best friend and it’s only for a week.” I said with a shrug.

Chloe squealed and hugged me tightly.

“It’s going to be a great week!” She said

I did not know what to think. All I could think of was Pete and Tia getting married. And then a thought occurred to me.

Was Pete still living next door?