“Girl, it’s like we fell into a time warp and landed back in senior year of high school,” Juliette said as they parted and she took a seat to Ariel’s right. “Hey, Summer.”
“Hey, Juliette,” Summer said.
“Good lord, makes me glad I’m locked away in my tower like Rapunzel.”
“Must be the Tangled version because in the original I don’t think Locks of Plenty was getting it on with anyone, but that Flynn…” Juliette rubbed her chin like a comic-book villain.
“You’re freaking terrible, dude,” Ariel said.
“I’m going to do some restock guys,” Summer said effectively excusing herself.
Juliette turned to face Ariel. “I’m happy you’re happy, even though everything is a bit insane right now. Before all this, I felt like we were losing you.”
“Never that. I just wasn’t sure where I fit anymore, or what I was doing. The divorce between Mom and Dad keeps getting uglier, and they use me as some sort of referee. I didn’t want to let either of them down, but it was tearing me in two.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because I knew…I was allowing it to happen. How could I complain about the very thing I was doing to myself? Only stupid people do that, and I’m not stupid, but I was very stuck,” Ariel admitted.
“We had no clue it’d gotten this bad.”
“I know. I tried to play it off as more bothersome than anything else. It was embarrassing having the golden couple crash, burn, and turn on one another like cannibals.” Ariel shuddered.
“What happened to change things?”
“Honestly, it was Hawk. He opened my eyes to a few things. Being a good child doesn’t mean I have to suffer through this with them. They were wrong for placing me in the position in the first place. What they need is a mediator.”
“What did you tell them about suddenly dropping off the face of the planet?” Juliette said.
“I told them I was taking a trip to get my head together, and I’d call them when I returned. They’re so deep in their divorce battle and constantly being scrutinized by lawyers and private eyes trying to dig up dirt, it’d be stupid for the assholes to go after them the way they did with Evonne’s family.” They went silent thinking about their friend.
“How’s she doing?” Ariel said.
“As well as anyone could expect, really. She has her bad days. I know her father is still being an asshole, and her mother has yet to grow a spine. Evonne’s still seeing a psychologist to help her deal with what happened. It’s been helping.”
“Good. After what she went through, she probably needs it. Hell at this point, we all do.” Ariel shook her head.
“What about you?” Juliette said.
“Nightmare, uneasiness at the oddest times. I’ll never feel safe in a library again after the drive-by happened there.”
“I’m glad you have Hawk and Evonne has Rocky. He’s been amazing for her. She’s come out of her shell a lot.”
“I don’t have anyone, and I’d say that went both ways for those two. I never saw Rocky as the settling-down type before Evonne she entered the picture. Did you?”
“No. I think they shocked everyone.” Juliette eyed her knowingly. “It seems to be a running trend.”
“Don’t you put that voodoo on me,” Ariel said.
“What’s the joke?” Joey asked appearing beside Juliette.
“Nothing,” Ariel snapped.
“Oh, just telling our friend, Ariel here, statistically speaking she and Hawk are next on the hook-up list.”
“It’s t
rue; bets are being taken,” Joey said.