'Hola mi amiga!
I scoffed. Derrick was just terrible at it. He kept trying tho, which was a good thing. He wanted to do the whole Mexican thing when I told him that he's hopeless, totally.
'Hop in nigga, and don't do that amiga shit for the rest of this journey. Deal?
'Deal!
I'm Erica, this dude beside me is my best friend Derrick. Our names kinda match and I like it.
'Careful pig breath, you want to kill me before I become famous?.
I laughed. I usually drive fast and Derrick is never okay with that and oh! About the 'pig breath' thingy it's a normalcy. We're so alike and I love that so much.
'Chill bro. It's my car and I drive how I want to'.that line was supposed to spite him...but it didn't. Why! It has always been my life plan to see him shade a tear for me, but no, he's a tough one.
'Anyways, I'll ride slowly'. I giggled 'cause that had a deeper meaning to it.
'And we're here moron'. We arrived at wood bright high school, another day of doom. Actually, my days of doom were reduced since the time I met Derrick. I met him about ten years ago when he defended me from some bullies in school. I wasn't really the social type, I was more of a nerdy introvert. I could never stand up for myself but then one day, Derrick saved me and since then we've been best of friends. I'm so lucky to have him. I grinned.
'Erica! Seriously? I'm beginning to think that you're mental. You just started grinning, all of a sudden. You want to grin your way to distinction or fail. Get your arse out of that car and let's be on our way. P.s: I know you were grinning at my new shirt and not at me, my answer is no! I'm not giving you this particular shirt. Adieus muchacha.
'What does that even mean?'
'It means my love'. He smiled
'I would probably have smiled back if I didn't know something like 'mi amour' you dumbass'.
He chuckled, stepped down from the car and looked at his watch.
'Holy shit! I'm late for Mr.Riva's class. Catch you later'.
He sprinted away. Mr. Riva was one hell of a teacher.
'Run baby! Run! But you're running like a lady'. I laughed.
He gave me the middle finger as he kept running. I had better hurry too if I wanted to make it on time. The second week in a new term and yet nothing significant has happened. I walked to my locker amidst all the stares I got in the hallway. Is something amiss? Oh! I was wearing my regular pyjamas trousers and my bunny hoodie. It was a regular so why were they all staring. I opened my locker and whipped cream splashed all over my face
'Oh my God!' I screamed. I didn't have any clothes to change. I just stood there thinking of what to do next. At this time, I was already trending on social media 'cause they videoed my every move. I turned to the left and saw the highschool's cutest boy approaching me. I guess I was doomed 'because I thought he was just coming to add salt to my wounds.
'Hey Erica'
'Hi Jordan'
'Seems you got yourself some cream all over you'. Everyone laughed apart from me. I didn't find it funny at all.
'I'm sorry, that wasn't supposed to come out that way. Okay lemme try that again. You looked creamed'.
They all laughed again. Okay, I was fed up. I was about to run out when he stopped me.
'There you go'. He handed me his hoodie. That was the last thing I expected.
'No, I'm good'.
'I'm not letting you walk out on me, not in this state'. I got the hoodie, thanked him and headed straight for the bathroom and changed. I went to class and prayed that the day would end soon. After classes, as I was rushing to my car, I bumped into Jordan again. Two times in less than 24hours?
'Rushing somewhere Erica?'
'Yes, I'm on my way home. I've had enough shame for a day'.
'Uhm, can I make it up to you? I eventually found out that it's some of my friends that planned the whole cream prank. So tomorrow? After school?
'Oh oh, 'Uhm I think. Did he just ask me on a date, OMG, I can't breathe. I managed to stay still. I think I can make it, tomorrow it is'.
'Okay,see you then'.
I hastened my pace, I was walking so fast, I almost ran. 'Jor freaking dan' just asked me on a date! I couldn't wait to tell Derrick. I had a crush on Jordan since sixth grade and Derrick knew about it. I bet he would be very happy for me. I waited in the car as Derrick approached the car.
'Derrick! Jordan asked me on a date! I yelled as he took a seat.
'Oh he did? That's nice. After the whole scandal in school with the cream'.
'you're supposed to be happy for me, idiot. At least fake it if you can't make it a genuine happiness'. I hit his head and drove out of the park. He was supposed to be happy for me. That was good news I just gave him. Our journey was unusually a very quiet one today. I dropped him off at home and rode off. He seemed unsettled.
Two weeks later, Jordan and I were a thing. Yes we were dating. I had so much fun around Jordan. Everything changed. I started dressing well and hanging out with his friends. Everything happened so fast. He asked me to be his girlfriend two days after our first date. I accepted. Who won't? Everything was going smoothly, I was on flick. I couldn't believe I was missing out on all these. I now have two thousand Instagram followers. And yes, Derrick took a break. He said I had changed. Changed? Just because I was happy now? He is my best friend. He's supposed to be happy for me. That aside, Jordan invited me to a pool party at his house and I was getting ready.
It was going to be so much fun!.I got ready and left for the party. It seemed like I was the last to arrive because everywhere was packed. Jordan welcomed me in and took me to play some games. After having so much fun, evening came and it was time for me to go home. Jordan said I should wait a little longer. I couldn't turn him down 'cause he made that bunny face which would make it hard for anyone to turn him down. I stayed longer. We drank a lot. I got so tipsy and eventually I passed out. I didn't know what happened after that but I woke up on my bed. Strange right?.I got up and prepared for another school day. I got to school and again everyone was staring at me in the hallway. I thought they stopped staring. Derrick came up to me. Finally he realized his mistake
'Hay dude, I've missed you, how've you been?.
'Save it Erica, I didn't know you'd turn out like this'.
'Turn out like what? Derrick, don't just start with me this morning'.
'Oh now she's blaming it all on me. Have you taken a look on the Internet this morning? Wonder why everyone is staring? You're so pathetic. Goodluck with clearing your name'.
He walked out, Derrick walked out on me. What could be on social media that has got everyone staring at….urgh! I gasped. My phone fell out of my hand. Is that me? When did this happen! It's not true! It's a set up! No one could hear me 'cause I was screaming within. How on earth did this happen? Tears started rolling down my eyes. It turns out that when I passed out yesterday night, Jordan made a video of him making out with me and he put it on social media!. That was so shameful. I couldn't bear it and so I decided to skip school. On my way out I bumped into Jordan and his friends. Why do I keep bumping into him? Tears were still in my eyes.
'Hay Erica! You like my little gift to you?
He laughed. I wish I could just rip out his guts and feed them to the vultures but at that point I was so defenseless and so I ran out of the hallway and headed straight home. When I thought everything was going fine. So Jordan was just using me, making fun of me all these while. I am a fool! A very big one, I said amidst tears, and I lost my best friend in the process. How was I even going to survive? Now everyone in school thinks I'm a tramp. My parents had travelled out and now I had no shoulder to cry on. I picked up the phone and called Derrick but he didn't answer and so I went to his house.
Knock knock
'Angela! just go away!' Angela was his little sister.
I knocked again and he opened the door. He saw me and banged the door on my face!. I opened it.
'Look Derrick, I know I've not been the definition of a best friend this past month. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. Okay you can now say your Mexican shit around me. Please? He looked at me trying to look angry but he just couldn't hold it. Can I come in now?
'You're already in dummy, I've missed you so much 'mi bestest amigo', come here he pulled me in for a tight hug.
'Derrick I didn't do any of those things. I would never make out with..
'I know you didn't, and also sorry for being a jerk. I should have been there for you at all times'.
I hugged him again. I missed you so much! I squeezed him tighter. With Derrick I could get my life back on track. A new beginning.
'Derrick! You still suck at the amigo thing'. We both laughed.