just friends

 

"What the hell is that?" Dylan wanted to scream but held it above a whisper when he got Caitlin in her room. He wasn't sure he could actually be around someone named Frankie. Dylan was unsure if Frankie was a guy or girl.

"You, of all people," Caitlin gave him the eye, but then smirked. "How could you say such a thing?"

"What does this mean?" Dylan looked at her blankly.

"She's a lesbian," Caitlin shrugged and plopped herself on her sort of made bed. Dylan only sighed as he plopped next to her. 

It was the last thing he expected. Of course, Tori was still in her room getting ready.

Dylan winced thinking he should be with Tori, not here, but he didn't feel like moving either. He nursed his bottom lip. Suddenly, Christmas felt it was on pause. 

"Oh, you worry too much," Caitlin told him as her fingers playfully danced across the top of his hand clutching the bed as if he couldn't quite relax.

"She..she never said a thing to me," Dylan pressed his lips tight.

"Well, Megan mentioned Tori said something about a friend in Shanghai or somewhere who was getting married. Maybe it's Frankie." Caitlin shrugged once more as if everything was going her way and it might be the best Christmas ever. "I think it's kind of funny or ..um..cool, that Tori has so many friends."

Dylan only winced. He was not in a good way here, and he knew he shouldn't judge, but he wanted to be when it came to Frankie.

All Tori really wanted was to stay in bed, but Megan was hurrying her along. Didn't she want to see Frankie?

Tori winced once more as Megan was trying to untangle her mess of hair. She just felt tired.

"What did Melvin do to you?" Megan was serious.

Tori shook her head, no. They'd gone to the bakery and tried all sorts of delights. She didn't think it was that intoxicating. But the macaroons were lovely and so were the Christmas goodies. 

"I ate too much," she yawned, feeling it was best to stay in bed. She remembered how she'd cried the last time she saw Frankie before he left. It was true. She didn't think she would ever see him again. And now here he was, a year later. She thought he would have forgotten her by now. He liked to travel. He wasn't one to stay anywhere long.

Now, she didn't know how to act. How did he even find her?

Finally, she pulled her mess of hair in a ponytail and went to see if it was really him. She was in an old sweater and her sweatpants. There was really no need to dress up for him. She was not a fashionista and he'd never tried to make her one. It was true, they were nothing alike. Honestly, she didn't know how she became such a good friend. Really, she didn't make friends, but here she was surrounded by this close circle that she'd never imagined.

She did her best to smile because Frankie always said she looked too sad. He always insisted she had a very nice smile. Of course, he hugged her immediately, and instantly she thought of COVID.

"Relax, I've been in quartine for over two weeks," Frankie told her.

"You..you could have told me," Tori swelled a frown.

"And, what would have been the fun in that," Frankie touched her nose. He often mentioned how cute she was. Although, she didn't feel so cute at the moment.

She looked around. People were waiting to open gifts. She didn't want to hold up Christmas any longer. She was certain there was someone waiting for him somewhere. Maybe even in a hotel room. She was not one to be positive about these sorts of scenarios. And she would do her best to keep him company for an hour or two.

She looked around for Dylan. Wasn't he here yet?