Page 24 of Baby Love

I stare. “But...”

Kiet sighs. “I have to grow up and face reality. I got this degree and need to use it. And why were you giving Daw such a mean look a minute ago? You hurt her feelings.”

“She’s jealous! She thinks I’m after you.”

“No need to get angry just because she’s a little possessive.”

“She hates me,” I say. And the feeling is mutual.

“That’s not true. Please be nicer to her.”

I look at Bass for help, but he quickly occupies himself with his phone.

The bitch is slowly turning my best friend against me. Tears well in my eyes, and I excuse myself to go to the restroom. I don’t get angry easily, but when I do, I get emotional, and this is so damn unfair. I get along with almost everybody, but I can’t get along with her, and Kiet can’t see her for the bitch she is.

I allow the tears for a moment before blowing my nose and splashing water on my face. A moment later, the door opens and P’Park walks in, Bass close behind him.

“You okay?” P’Park asks.

I shake my head, bottom lip jutting out despite my attempt to hold it back.

“Aw, Baby,” Bass says, pulling me into a tight hug.

“I hate her, and I’m going to lose him as a friend,” I murmur into Bass’s shirt before remembering how unhelpful he was at the table and smacking his arm. “You could have backed me up, you know.”

“I don’t like confrontation, you know that. Come on. Let’s go back to the table. The food’s arrived and Cushion’s sitting alone. Kiet and Daw left.”

“Why did they leave?” I ask.

“Daw said she wasn’t feeling well.”

“Great. I’m sure I’ll get blamed for that, too.”

I dry my face with a paper towel and the three of us walk back to the table.

“Baby,” Cushion says sympathetically when she sees my blotchy, tear-stained face. “I know. She’s awful, isn’t she?”

I nod miserably and glance at P’Park as we take our seats. “Sorry you had to witness that, P’Park.”

He pats my hand. “Don’t worry about it.”

Cushion shakes her head. “She’s been making these barely disguised insults on my social media posts lately, and I’m tired of it. She doesn’t like any of us too close to Kiet, and it’s only getting worse. She’s always with him.”

Bass nods. “I’ve been trying to get him to go see a movie with me, and he keeps making excuses. It’s becoming more and more obvious she’s the one keeping him from going.”

We eat our meal in near silence.

Half an hour later, P’Park and I are walking back to work where he left his car. “I’m sorry all that happened while you were there,” I say again. I find myself walking very close to him, absorbing his comforting warmth.

“It’s really okay. Friend groups have their drama, like all relationships.”

I sigh. “I usually let things roll off my back, but Daw makes me so angry. I just don’t understand why he wants to be with someone like that. His past girlfriends were great.”

“She probably doesn’t show him the same person she shows to you,” P’Park says.

“Yeah. She’s fake as fuck,” I grumble.

P’Park laughs and ruffles my hair. “Don’t worry. Some day Kiet will see her true colors.”

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