18
I didn’t know she believed in such a thing, but listen.
‘One: I’m going to give you a good day. You deserve it. That’s all this is. A good day.’
Do I understand? No. Do I nod? Yes.
‘Two: I realised that you’ve forgotten you’re special. So I’m here to remind you. Got it?’
Again, I nod: there seems to be no other option.
‘And three: Neither of us is allowed to kiss the other person. It would just make things awkward and I don’t want that. Okay?’
This, more than anything up to this point, makes me want to laugh. Because everything is awkward between us – how could it not be? – and the idea of interacting with her without sexual tension is ludicrous. Our friendship grew with the seeds of attraction and the two are forever linked in my mind. She’s undeniably beautiful. Crazy as hell and infuriating, but beautiful – and I’d have to be blind not to see it.
‘Are you laughing?’ she demands. ‘Because the idea that you might be attracted to me isn’t so out of the question that it’s hilarious. So, I’m taking precautions.’
I stop smirking like an idiot, and endeavour to look serious as Tayla twists to grab something from the backseat, and shrugs into it. When she turns to me, she’s wearing the ugliest vest I’ve ever seen. It looks like a festival that couldn’t decide what it was celebrating. The material is blue corduroy, trimmed with pink pom poms.
‘That is repulsive. I thought I told you to burn that?’She beams.
‘Did I tell you it’s reversible?’
‘Dear God...’‘It’s to help you restrain yourself.’
‘From kissing you? Yeah, I think somehow I’ll hold back.’
‘Good. And this is for you.’ She hands me a black beanie.
'i’m supposed to wear this?’
She nods. ‘To cover your hair.’
‘Tayla...’