“I’m telling you, I should just fly back right now.”
“And end your vacation before it’s even begun?”
“It’s not a vacation! I’m a prisoner.”
Amber can feel her heart rate pounding and the red in her cheeks still hasn’t drained away. The time it took to show her to her room, did little to calm her anger. She needed to let off some steam and the only thing she could think to do was call Jess.
“A prisoner in a tropical country, at a world-class estate right on the beach, with a private chef, and you’re making crazy bank! Oh no! Call in the military, we must mount a rescue mission.”
“Look, you didn’t hear how rude this guy was. I wanted to punch him in his smug face.”
“He said he didn’t want your help and wanted to be left alone, so it sounds like you won’t even see him this whole trip.”
“That’s true.”
“So sit back, relax, and enjoy. You’re basically getting paid to be at an all-inclusive resort. Sounds pretty sweet to me.”
“Yeah I know. I just can’t get him out of my head. The way he brushed past my outstretched hand. The way he cocked his head when I yelled at him. The way he looked at me when he said pura vida. It was like he knew exactly what he was doing, and was enjoying it.”
“You know what it sounds like to me?”
“What?”
“It sounds like he pulled your pigtails…and you kind of liked it.”
If steam could shoot from Amber’s head like a cartoon, she would be spouting like a tea kettle right now. Saying what she thinks, regardless of the consequences, is something Amber has always admired about Jess. It’s so far from her own personality, that she thinks she might have originally become friends with Jess because she hoped her personality would rub off on her. After screaming at a complete stranger, who also happens to be her boss, Amber wonders if maybe it has.
“I call you for help, I call you for advice, and you’re telling me to stay because you think I like this jerk?” For a split second Amber restrains herself, but screw it, if Jess wants to push buttons, she can too. “Not everyone is attracted to no-good losers who mistreat them.”
The comment is true, Amber thinks. Jess only dates jerks who treat her like crap and ultimately break her heart. She uses the accuracy to justify her actions, but she can already feel herself regretting the comment. Jess may be tough, smart, and fully capable of handling herself, but the one thing she is self-conscious about is the men she dates. Every time they inevitably hurt her, she realizes the guy was a jerk and didn’t deserve her, but a couple months later, she’ll be with some new guy who’s just as bad. It’s a cycle she’s aware of, but one she can’t seem to break.
“Well I’m sorry not all of us prefer sitting at home reading books instead of being out living. You may judge me for the guys I date, but at least I’m out trying and experiencing new things.”
After her first comment she immediately felt bad, but Jess’s response has re-sparked the anger and Amber can’t hold back.
“You’re right. Oh, why can’t I be out experiencing new things like being robbed by my boyfriend, or being used to score painkillers?”
“If you think I make such bad decisions, then why did you even call me?”
“I called you because you’re my best friend and I didn’t know what to do!”
The words were aggressively yelled, but Amber isn’t sure why. She’s mad, sure, but she knows that she isn’t really mad at Jess, she’s mad at Mr. Banks, and she’s mad at herself. Taking it out on Jess isn’t fair.
“Well you’re my best friend too!”
Jess yells her response back, but Amber can hear the restraint in her voice. The pause says it all. They are both sorry, but neither wants to say it.
“Look, just spend the night. Read a book, relax, and tomorrow, if you are still unhappy, I’ll buy you a flight home. This was my stupid idea in the first place.”
“It wasn’t stupid. There was no way to know the guy was going to be so awful.”
Another long pause and despite the miles between them, both girls can feel the comfort of their friendship.
“I’ll call you later.”
“You better.”