Page 35 of Cloud Storm

At this point we can’t be friends. It’s impossible to have a relationship, however platonic, with someone I don’t trust.

Fortunately, he gets the message and leaves. That doesn’t mean that with every step I have taken, he will not turn to see me in the face of a half-dead lamb.

This world is full of scoundrels, of those who believe they are the last Coke in the desert, the peacock of the farm. Those who think that being a man is having many women begging for their attention.

No, gentlemen, being a man is having one woman and keeping her happy.

“It seems that after all the theory that two polar opposites attract proved to be true.”

“Yes, Roselynn, I’m crazy eccentric, and Lancelot was there among my weird tastes,” I say as I go to the refrigerator for a bottle of water.

“Ariel, you don’t have to be so tough, not with yourself nor with him.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be my friend?” I ask angrily.

“That’s why I’m here. Look, Ariel, when you knew about Chase’s condition you helped him to win me again, Lance is…”

“It’s not the same thing, and I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Roselynn, just go home.”

I need something to get rid of this lump in my throat. My mouth is as dry as if I was eating sand.

“Friend, I think you’re making a storm in a glass of water.”

“Precisely that,” I accept, “the Suit and I are nothing, this is nothing more than hurt pride.”

“Why didn’t you let him explain?” Roselynn demands.

“He talked to you?” She nods in response.

“He had the balls to talk to you, but not with me?”

“Ariel, you didn’t even give him the chance.”

“He could have talked to me this morning. We were here with nothing much to do, talking about nonsense and stupid things.”

Stupid things are what I have in my head. And in my heart, I must add.

“Ariel, you like him, so when will you accept it and do something about it?”

Nothing, no shit, that’s what I’m going to do about that arrogant prick.

“You can go throw up in the corner. So I liked the Suit, and see how well that’s turned out.”

“Ariel…”

“No, Roselynn, not this time,” I say. “Leave me alone.”

“Okay, have it your way, it’s fine for now, just for today,” she concedes rather too easily in my opinion, which worries me. “But tomorrow I have plans for both of us.”

I already knew that she was not going to give up, just like that.

“Tomorrow we have an appointment at ten.”

If it’s work, I can handle that. It’ll be good for me to have something to occupy myself.

“In the bakery?” That’s all I need to know.

“No, silly, in the mall. Don’t even think that I’ve forgotten.” She smirks.