8 Chapter Seven

We got to a diner-cafe/bar. Diner-cafe by day, bar by night. I know because my parents go here when they want to spoil themselves during the night and going to the next town to a 5-star restaurant is not on their agenda at that moment.

At the counter was the barista. He was a middle aged man with salt and pepper hair. Black pepper.

"Hey Gin." Dustin greeted.

He looked up from the counter he was cleaning and smiled. A toothy smile. A Cheshire smile.

"If it isn't my favorite people in the world." he said dropping the rag

He cleaned his hands on his apron and flicked on a bell beside the open window.

A boy who looked older than the three of us with hair exactly like Gin's. He had on the same apron and he said something at the other side of the door before he faced us. His face brightened when he saw us. Or someone.

"Hey guys. Hey Dustin."

Dustin squirmed a little before giving him a small strained smile.

"Hey Chase."

"Chase why don't you bring them their usuals while I try to make them comfortable. We haven't seen since when?" he asked. Chase walked back to the kitchen. Before he entered, he winked at Dustin making him gulp. Hermione and I giggled before following Gin.

He took us to one of the booths that was facing an open window. When we were sitted, he joined us. It was I and Dustin on one side and Hermione and he on the other side.

"So why haven't you three visited old Gin?" he asked looking at Hermione before looking at Dustin and I.

"SATs last year." Dustin said quickly.

"And after that?"

"Preparation to be in the final year." Hermione answered.

Gin just looked at us before giving a small strained smile. That is so unlike Gin.

"Hannah left me." he just said.

"What?" we asked together.

"I woke up one morning and I saw no sign of her. Or the babies. She took them both and disappeared." he said. He bowed his head and before we knew it, his body stared racking.

Oh my gosh, he's crying. He needed us those times and we weren't there. God I feel so guilty. I sneaked a look at my friends and I know they are feeling the same thing.

"Did you have any argument or misunderstanding?" Hermione asked.

"None. Every Sundays, we would play basketball with Chase in the afternoon after church and in the evening, a battle game of Jackpot and Monopoly. And weekdays and Saturdays were always spent here."

"Dad, I told you she was cheating on you." we heard Chase say. There was no side look at Dustin or anything. He too was devasted.

"You did and I didn't listen. In all honesty, son, I thought you were jealous."

"Dad, I'm gay. Why would I be jealous of something like that?"

Oh and one more thing. Gin is not happy about Chase being gay.

"I know that son." Gin gritted.

"Whatever. Guys, here's what you ordered." he said and gave us our orders. We were already reaching for our purses and wallet when Gin raised his hands to stop us.

"It's on the house." he said before standing up from our table and walking away to the kitchen. The three of us looked at him with serenity in our eyes.

Poor Gin.

"And we all thought Hannah was hot." Dustin said.

Trust Dustin to break the silence.

-*-

When we were done at Gin's Diner, we headed back home.

We got to the traffic light and there was a red light.

"I can't believe Gin and Chase are going through that." Hermione said.

"And we weren't there to help them." Dustin said hitting the car wheel. The horn blared.

"Well, we are here now." I said looking at both of them.

They nodded their head in agreement and Dustin stepped on the gas the moment the light turned green.

We got to their house just as Fallon was opening the door. She looked startled and surprised.

"You guys are back early. I though you would be at Gin's."

"Hey mom. We were. But we are still going back. We just need to rest." Hermione said.

"Oh. Ok. Have fun then." she said.

"Where are you going mom?" Dustin asked looking at his mom who was fidgeting under our stares.

"Somewhere. No where special." she said rather quickly.

We all looked at each other and then at her. Then we shrugged.

"Bring us something when you get back." Dustin said.

"Like a new phone case." Hermione said.

"Or the new sequel series to The Mortal Instruments."

"Or condoms." Dustin said. His mom looked at him like he just said he was a girl and not a boy. "What? We all know I'll be super busy this year." he said with a simple shrug.

"We'll try." Was all his dad said before closing the door. Although we heard him mutter to Fallon, "condoms? Who does we think we are, the Smiths?"

"You can never be Will Smith dad. And I can never be Jaden Smith. I'm too hot for him. Just get me my condoms or you will be grandparents before I go to college." Dustin yelled.

"Love you." Hermione yelled. When they were gone, she faced Dustin who pretended like nothing just happened. "Are you out of your mind?"

"And please tell me what is wrong o dear sister." he said looking at her with a smile.

"Condoms? Really?"

"What is wrong with that?" he asked with a shrug.

"Just because we are free with our parents doesn't mean you can treat them shit Doodoo."

"I didn't." he stuttered.

"Sure looks like to me, you did. What do you think Tracy?" she asked looking at me.

Oh man, I hate positions like this.

"You're right." I quickly said.

Sorry Dustin, I love you but Hermione is more scarier.

"See, even Trace agrees. You owe them an apology." she said standing up from her seat and then walking upstairs. Dustin looked at her back and sighed.

Sorry Gin, looks like we are not coming over again.

-*-

I went to school by myself. I decided that I was not spending the night at their house because I don't want to be in middle of their argument. This morning, they each texted me privately, if they could pick me up.

Separately?

No thanks.

I told them no each and said my mom is staying at home which means I could use her car.

I got to school and saw my two best friends coming out of different cars.

My eyes widened at the sight. I can't believe this. They have never done anything like this before since that time. All because of condoms?

I quickly carried my books and locked my car before contemplating on who to talk to first.

Well, whoever entered last.

Dustin was the one who entered way after Hermione. He was talking to some girls.

"Hey." I said once I reached him.

He looked at me then waved at the girls who scoffed, glared at me then walked away.

What did I do?

"Hey. How was your night?" he asked. Something was weird about him. I can't pinpoint it but I know it's his face.

"It was great. Yours?" I asked rather cautiously.

He didn't answer. Instead, he opened his back and brought out 5 books. I collected it with a puzzled expression. On the first book, it said 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Bolt thief.'

Okay, not what I asked.

"My parents told me to give you. They said the bookstore they were at didn't have the book you were looking for  and they were actually going to reorder more of it since people are also asking for it. But it would take two months to get there. And the counter person said if you love books and you haven't read Percy Jackson, you are living under a rock."

"Haven't we watched the movie?"

"Yeah. Vera said it sucked balls." he said with a shrug..

"Why would she say that?"

I kinda liked it. And I thought Grover was cute and hot.

"I think she's read the book."

I looked at the face and I saw it. The scowl. Dustin never scowls unless something bad happened. The highest he could do was pout.

Only Hermione scowls and now that I see this new look on his face, it just strikes me how alike he and Hermione are. And it's scary.

"And they bought Hermione her pouch. It's really cute and I think they got you too, or maybe it's for mom." he said quitting his scowling face to think. Then he shrugged and put the scowling face on.

"And?"

Where is he getting at this. We were still outside the school but we were really early so I wasn't bothered. It's like 6:45 and school starts 7:50.

Oh.

The condoms.

"They didn't get me my freaking condoms." he yelled. I cowered a little when I saw the people that were looking at us.

"I'm sorry."

What else am I supposed to say?

"And you know why? Because my sister who cares for only herself took my phone when she stormed upstairs and told them not to worry about it. She sent it to dad's phone but still, it's to the both of them. And they were already at the supermarket getting it. So they had to get what Hermione told them. A freaking book on Ben Carson."

"Did she apologize?"

He scoffed before looking at me like I just said the moon is mostly made up of broccoli.

"If Hermione apologized to even a doormat for stepping on it too much, I will start believing in 'On the Cross of Calvary.'"

Wow. Dustin is as much a atheist as his entire family is.

"And somehow she's still mad at me. I was going to apologize to M and D and her her yesterday, but since they didn't get it and she is such a bitch right now, I don't care anymore."

Wow, Dustin just called his sister the b-word. If he calls her that, it's to get on her back. Not with this such malice in his voice.

Then he looked at me and that scowl was replaced with a beaming smile.

"So, what's up with you?"

I was at my locker bringing out my books for the day when my locker door got slammed. Thank God I removed my hand or they would have been locker omelette. I looked and saw the glaring face of Hermione.

What's wrong now?

"Seriously Tracy?"

Huh? Wait, what did I do?

"What's up?" I asked with a gulp. Remember when I said Hermione scowls a lot and it terrifies me, yeah, I wasn't lying.

"I thought you were on my side but clearly I guess I was wrong." she said.

"If you think I'm on Dustin's side, I am not. I am nobody's side. I'm both your friend and I don't remember picking sides as part of what our friendship entails."

Dustin is right. She is behaving like the b-word.

"But you decide to be all buddy buddy with Doodoo?"

"I'm not buddy buddy with Doodoo. I saw you entering the school and I decided to go for the one who was still outside. And you know I hate entering the school alone. I can't believe you are letting the selfish side of you say crap." I spat. She recoiled for a minute but hardened her gaze making me think I imagined it.

"And I can't believe you are letting Doodoo and I fight your battles."

Now I recoiled and remained like that. That's not true.

"So what if I am?"

"That just shows how pathetic you are and how I chose the wrong best friend for 6 miserable and regretful years." she snarled back at me.

I felt the tears rush out of my eyes but held it.

This is not Hermione. The Hermione I know would never say something like that. She scares me but she never says mean words like this. She has shared secrets with me that even Dustin has no idea or clue about.

Isn't that what best friends are all about? You make a secret a non-secret.

I didn't even know when she started talking.

"And I'm also regretting not taking Allison's side 6 years ago."

Wait, what? She can call me whatever name she wants but take Allison's side. That is too far.

I called out her name but she was already walking away. And sashaying.

Hermione never sashays. In fact, it is one of the reason she hates Allison.

I only have a phrase for this.

What the hell?

-*-