Chapter Text
Apparently, Enid shared the sentiment that we needed to spend more time together. Thankfully, she vocalized it enough for the both of us.
“I know Bruno’s not your favorite person… and maybe I’m judging Tyler,” she sighed, “What if we all did something together? Ooh! We can all go to the Monster Hot Dogs pop up shop! EEE! I’ll make the reservations!”
Hot dogs weren’t my favorite, but I enjoyed a good monster. So I agreed and invited Tyler. We had been texting regularly that whole week.
“Do you like my hat?” Enid asked me on Saturday morning, wearing a comically large snapback. I discerned that her outfit was more boyish than her usual date attire. She was in a long sleeved baggy multi-colored shirt and cargo shorts with a lot of pockets.
“Is that Bruno’s?”
“What? It can’t be mine?” She scoffed, “Don’t you like masculine people?”
“Who said that? Besides, what does it matter what I like? Bruno is your date.” I said matter-of-factly.
“Guess your taste is all over the place,” Enid tossed the hat to the side and took a tube of mascara to her lashes, “I mean Bianca is pretty girly. You liked her for like ever.”
“Again, who said that?” I muttered in confusion. I thought I had been freed from the shackles of her mentioning my previous feelings for Bianca. Lately, she had been taking unprovoked jabs at me.
“Do you think you can call the ride, pretty please?” She switched her tune and put on some puppy eyes, “They’ve been giving me like, no hours at the cafe lately.”
“You don’t need to explain yourself. I can always call it.” I groaned. I had assured her before that I could always pay for the two of us.
My family’s financial situation was satisfactory to say the least. From what I gathered, Enid didn’t have much familial support– in affection or money.
“You look cute today, by the way,” Enid complimented me in the car, adjusting the white collar of my black midi dress. “You should totally let me do your makeup the next time we go on a date!”
“No.” I denied— even though I knew I’d eventually allow it.
“You two make a beautiful couple!” The driver chimed, looking at us from the rearview mirror. “How long have you been together?”
“Two months!” Enid giggled and took my hand in hers— soft and warm.
“No kidding!” The driver was stunned, “I would have guessed at least a year. Here’s ya stop. Stay safe girls and I’m rootin’ for ya’!”
“Thanks Aaron! You have a FANTASTIC day!” Enid squealed as we hopped out. It was no surprise she was already on a first name basis. Enid made friends everywhere she went.
What was surprising is that she went along with the assumption that we were a couple.
“You let him think we were dating.” I thought out loud.
“So?” Enid shrugged, “We’re never going to see him again. Plus, we do look super cute together. Don’t we?” She shook her shoulders playfully.
Why was she flirting with me?
“Right. If I were a boy or something?” I offered.
I needed clarification to fight off my delusions. I was trying to accept our connection as platonic. She was making it difficult.
“Why would that matter?” Enid answered. It stopped me in my tracks.
“Because you’re straight?” My head snapped sharply like an owl to look at her, “Aren’t you?”
Enid looked around and started humming.
“Enid.” My voice became firmer, “Are you bisexual?”
“Maybe!” She finally cheered with a little hop, “I don’t like labels. Plus, a lot of the pride flags are pretty! I don’t want to just pick one!”
My world spun into a vortex.
“Since WHEN?” I nearly shouted.
“Since always?” Enid put her hands on her hips and shifted to one side, “You never asked.”
I was silent.
“Let’s go, they’re waiting!” Enid began frolicking towards the entrance.
“Friday, August 22nd, at approximately 10:47pm, at Poe’s Bar and Karaoke,” My words froze her in her tracks but she did not turn to face me, “I said and I quote: ‘Are you a bisexual that likes white guys with dreadlocks?’ You deflected.”
My chest heaved as I awaited for her to produce a response.
“Wow… you came with the RECEIPTS!” Enid walked back to where I was, “Speaking of that: Where were you Saturday, August 23rd, at approximately… uh, 6? 7! 7pm! The Skeleton Fish?”
The blood drained from my body. A self-satisfied curve took shape on her lips. When I didn’t speak, she continued:
“I only ask because your location was off. Ajax’s wasn't… oh! He gave it to me the night before, by the way,” Her delivery turned more aggressive as she spoke through her teeth, “When he told me he would take me on a date the next day.”
“I can explain,” I gulped, but she interrupted me.
“No need. See, Wednesday, at first,” she began to pace, “I thought you were the kind of girl that always has to one-up your friends. That or you just really wanted Ajax for yourself and wouldn’t just say that… but no… I had to take time away to really figure it out…”
Has she known how I feel about her all along?
“Wednesday…” Enid paused to inhale, “you were just being protective.”
Huh?
“You didn’t think Ajax was good enough for me,” She exhaled, “But when he brought up an expensive restaurant, you thought, ‘maybe I should see what this guy’s really about’ and that’s why you went. You wanted to find out if you should give us your blessing.”
I tried to minimize my sigh of relief.
“But I wasn’t that into him anyways,” she elaborated, “I mean, Bruno was way hotter. I love me a latino,” she squealed, “Oop! I know he’s Filipino! I just meant—he had that look. You know, like you.”
She ran her hands down two strands of my raven hair by my shoulders.
“He’s texting me!” Enid gasped, “They’ve both been waiting, let’s go!”