Page 2 of Falling for my Best Friend

“Wow.” I wanted to ask if it ever occurred to him that he was just hallucinating, a common side effect of robotripping, but I didn’t want to make light of the epic high that had changed the course of his life.

“I know. After that, I knew I didn’t have to be afraid anymore.”

“I see,” I said, pulling down my sleeves and feeling afraid enough for both of us. “And what makes you think I need to be saved?”

“Everyone needs to be saved.”

“Oh, so it’s not personal?” I asked, reaching for my Sprite.

“Well, you do look like you might need some guidance.”

“Guidance?”

He shrugged.

“Please elaborate.”

“Just from the way you look.”

I tilted my head at him. “You mean because I have pink streaks in my hair?”

“I don’t know if you’re just trying to get someone’s attention, but you don’t have to try that hard for Jesus.”

I laughed. “Do you feel cheated because my hair was different in the pictures you saw of me on Tinder?”

“Not at all. I just think sometimes when people change the way God made them, it’s indicative of some deeper pain.”

“Sorry- what do you do for a living again?”

“I’m sort of between jobs right now.”

“Right.”

“But I’d like to have my own skateboarding academy.”

“Oh.” Is that even a thing?

“That’s why I’m living at home right now. To save money so I can start my own business.”

“I see. Well, you don’t need to worry about me, Cory. The pink streaks are only temporary, and they aren’t a cry for help.”

He reached across the table and put his hand on mine.

I felt my blood run cold.

“Good,” he said. “Because you’re perfect just the way God made you.”

“I really appreciate that,” I said, trying to remember the last time I shared a Dear Diary Moment with a deadbeat lunatic.

He slid his weirdly small, hemp wrapped wrist back towards him. “If you’ll excuse me. I need to go to the little boy’s room.”

I forced a smile as he got up.

As soon as he turned the corner, I pulled out my phone and called Aiden, but it went straight to voicemail. I hung up without leaving a message and dialed Fiona’s number as fast as I could.

“Hey, Luce. What’s-”

“I need you to stop whatever you’re doing and come rescue me.”

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