Page 3 of Rumor Has It

THEO

I’m going to be early. Need food too.

KELLY ANN

What time are you getting there? What are you wearing? OMG! What should I wear?

I don’t know which to reply to first. On the one hand, I’m annoyed with Theo. On the other, Kelly Ann sounds more panicked. Then another text comes in from her.

KELLY ANN

Help me please!

Calm down! I’ll be there in about two hours. Going to eat first.

KELLY ANN

Oh I should eat too.

Yes. And you should wear that cute pink sundress. Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be there.

And byhe, I mean Trace Turner. She’s had a crush on him since eleventh grade, when he saw her trip, helped her pick up her books, and applied a Band-Aid to her knee where she had skinned it.

Then, I turn my attention to Theo.

You ass, you always do this to me.

THEO

Do you really want to go drinking on an empty stomach?

I don’t want to be all bloated and uncomfortable when we get there.

THEO

Ok so don’t eat a whole pizza but you need something. As the person who usually ends up carrying you out because you’ve had too much, I’m requiring this.

Fine, pick it up and bring it here. You know what I like.

I speed through finishing up my hair and put my outfit on before turning to my makeup. Despite one panicked friend and another butthead friend, this night feels like it’s gonna be good.

THREE

THEO

Twenty minutes after I placed the order, I walk into Millie’s Diner, where Ellie’s most favorite french fries are hand-cut and fried to golden perfection. I figure if I bring her something she won’t be able to resist, she’ll be less grumpy about me making her eat.

After I dropped her off at her place, I went to the grocery for my grandmother and dropped them off to her, went home and showered, got dressed in clothes not covered in grease, and then I was done. By the way, this made me realize how few clothes I have that aren’t grease stained. I should go shopping. The point is, I did all that and Ellie still isn’t ready.

I’d complain about how long it takes women to get ready in comparison to men, but have you ever seen how hot they are? Partially because of the work they put in, but more so because they feel confident and happy. And a woman who feels confident about herself is a creature to be reckoned with.

I wasted an hour playingCall of Duty, and then I was too restless, which is when I came up with eating. I’m not exactly arelax until it’s timeguy. I’m ashow up early and get the lay of the land and start nestingguy. Which sounds stupid when I say it about a bar I’ve been to so many times I could navigate blindfolded.

The scents of grease and salt and meat waft from the paper bag as I pick it up from the passenger seat. The diner isn’t exactly far away from Ellie’s house, so nothing’s gone cold. In fact, we’ve walked there many times from her place while still a little tipsy.

Walking up the front steps, I recall when she moved into this place two years ago. I nearly broke my back bringing her dryer up with her help. And byhelp, I mean she had her hands on the machine but wasn’t bearing any of the weight. But she’d previously been living with two roommates who’d hit on me every time I was over, so I was happy to help her get out of there.

I don’t waste time knocking but instead just push it open and yell, “Ellie, food.” Last time I went looking for her down the hall, she didn’t have any pants on. It’s an action we both regret to this day. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen her ass, per se, but it was the first time we were both totally sober when it happened. I don’t know why, but that girl always ends up showing her ass when she’s drunk. Not that I’m complaining. She has a nice ass.

---