Mia

"How are you doing?"  I look over at Sara, who is lying down on her bed staring at the ceiling.  The good news is that she has finally stopped crying.  I keep reminding her that he isn't worth all these tears.  I try to show her sympathy, but I have never been in love, so it's hard for me.  I hope to someday find a guy worth having a relationship with but no luck so far.  Every guy who has shown interest in me since attending college here has only wanted one thing from me.  I have no interest in random hookups. Unfortunately, in high school I thought I was in love once.  I began dating Jake in my junior year.  Once I gave it up to him about six months into the relationship, he dumped me.   Of course, he took my dignity with him when he publicly humiliated me by telling the whole school about "deflowering" me.  I shudder at the memory.  It took a long time to recover and if it weren't for Sara I don't know if I would have made it.  Sara has been my best friend since the first day of sixth grade.  I remember her walking into the cafeteria, so nervous, searching frantically for a place to sit.  Since then, we have been connected at the hip.  

She faintly shrugs but doesn't speak.  Before I can say anything, else there is a knock on the door.  I get up off my twin bed to answer the door.  When I swung it open, I was surprised to see Bryson there.  

"How is she?"  He asked, worry written all over his face.  He had a large paper bag in his arms.  

"I'm not sure.  C'mon in."  I stepped aside so he could squeeze in the doorway.  He sat the bag down on my bed and began to rummage through it.  He pulled out a pint of ice cream, a small bottle of coke, a gossip magazine, a candy bar, and then a movie case.  I couldn't help but notice that all the stuff was Sara's favorites.  "What is all of that?"  

"I brought over some things to cheer Sara up."  A mix of jealousy and awe mix through me.  Why can't I have a guy be that sweet and crazy about me?  He looks over at her and she tries to force a smile in his direction.  Bryson walks over and sits on the edge of Sara's bed, handing her the ice cream and a spoon.  He brushes her hair out of her face and tucks it softly behind her ear.  

"Thank-you," she says softly, looking up at him.  You can just see how much he adores her by the look on his face.  Then again, I could say the same thing about her as well.  She can deny it all she wants but after knowing her all these years, I can read her like an open book. 

"Anything for you, pretty girl."  

"Are you okay?"  Sara props herself up on one elbow and grabs Bryson's hand, examining his knuckles.  A few minor cuts, nothing major.  Bryson blushes and pulls his hand away.  

"I'm fine.  That douchebag was out of line."  

"I know," I speak up and agree with Bryson.  "I don't know why you would waste two years with him when you have the perfect guy right in front of you."  Once the words are out of my mouth, Sara shoots me an evil look, warning me to shut my mouth.  I return it with a little smirk.  Bryson again blushes.  Which, may I add, is also adorable.  How many guys do you know blush?  

"Are you really done with him this time?"  Bryson finally asks.  I sure hope she is!  Rob thinks that he is God's greatest gift.  You can tell that he has a very high opinion of himself just the way he carries himself.  He flirts with everyone he encounters, but then denies it every chance he gets.  I'm not saying that he wasn't crazy for Sara.  I truly believe that he was.  But I will say, I never expected them to make it to two years.  I figured after his first mess up that Sara would have seen what an idiot he is.   And when I say mess up, I mean getting totally shit faced at a party with his friends and hitting on every skank that walks by.  I think he would've cheated then but Sara being there stopped it.  In my opinion, he was verbally abusive to her when he drank.  He would say things to hurt her and then magically forget them the next day once the alcohol was out of his system.  Always acting like it never happened.  Sara was easy to forgive him, but I wasn't. 

Sara nodded, and met Bryson's eyes.  "I think I am." 

"Think?"  I asked, butting into their conversation once again.  They both looked over at me and Sara's cheeks flush.  I didn't mean to embarrass her but…. really?  How does she not want to pursue what is right in front of her?  Bryson is the real deal.  He would treat her so well.  I will give her a month, and then I am going to move in on him.  

"You know what I mean.  It's hard because I love him so much."  Sara is still bright red, and it is obvious that I humiliated her.  I almost feel bad.  

"You know you deserve so much better," Bryson cut in.  Sara nodded and stared down at the ice cream pint in her hand.  

"On that note, want to go out tonight?  I heard James is having a party at his place."  I suggested, trying to change the subject.  I think Bryson would be a great choice for Sara, but I don't want her to rush into something when she isn't ready.  

"I think I'll just stay in and sleep," Sara whined, laying back against her pillow, as she took a bite of her ice cream.  

"Let's go.  It'll be fun!"  I was surprised that Bryson agreed with me over Sara.  I know it was just because he would like to spend as much time with her as possible.  

I could tell Sara was tossing the idea around in her head.  "I guess I should go and see if Rob shows up with Becca.  If I am not there, he'll think I am wallowing cause of him."  I looked at Bryson to see if he was annoyed about the fact that Rob was brought up again, but his face was only filled with concern.  Bryson was never a fan of Rob. He put up with him because he was with Sara, but everyone knew how Bryson felt about her.  It drove Rob mad.  Bryson was always there to pick up the pieces when Rob messed up.  

"And I need to find me a man," I smiled, crossing my legs.  "I know I keep saying that.  One of these days at one of these pointless parties I will find my prince charming." 

"I still don't know how you have remained single all this time," Bryson smirked.  If I were Sara, I would have been blushing.  I am definitely the bold one out of the two of us.  

"Maybe you should be my date to the party then?"  I ask, giving him my sexiest smile.  

Bryson's eyes grew and I could tell I had surprised him with my words once again.  I was only halfway serious.  Then again, every quality I would want in a man, seemed to be the things I notice in Bryson.  "Actually, I am planning on texting my friend Alex and seeing he wants to go.  We can all meet up."  

Every time I attempt to flirt with him, he always gracefully turns me down subtly.  Sara shoots me a glare as she puts the lid back on her ice cream.  She gets up to put it away.  

"Whose Alex?"  I asked.  I assume that was the guy who he's been with the last few times but never caught his name.  Bryson has too many friends.  

"Alex Watson?  You've met him.  He works at the gym with me," Bryson replies.   "Listen ladies, I better go and get changed and I will come pick you guys up at nine.  Sound good?"  He stands up and adjusts his pants.

"Perfect."  Sara and I say at the same time.  We exchange looks and each let out a giggle.  I am glad to see her smile, even if it's brief.  

Once Bryson is out the door, I immediately turn towards my closet.  Sara is already at hers, digging for something to wear.  

    "We got to look hot!"  I say, as I stop at a tiny black dress.  Not too dressy, yet not too casual.  Black is always my go-to color.  Looks great with my blonde locks and always makes me feel sexy.  Sara pulls out a black crop top and a pair of torn dark jeans.  "Good choice!"