BAD REP(63)

“No, these need to be disposed of as biological waste,” she responded, closing the door again.  After I got out, I put on the change of clothes Riley had provided and went out into the living room.  She had made us cups of tea and sat at on the couch, deleting my Gossip Girl episodes from the DVR.

“What the hell, Riley?  I was watching those!” I shrieked, diving for the remote.  She held it away from me.

“If you don't want your brain to rot out of your ears, then you don't need to watch anymore of this cultural strain on society.”  She flipped the TV off and turned to face me.  I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted.  Real mature, I know.  But at that point, I didn't care.

“So, tell me.  How long do you plan to hole up in our apartment, channeling Morrisey?  Because if you decide to morph into goth girl, I'm looking for a new roommate,” Riley warned, pointing her finger at me.  I rolled my eyes.

“Dude, I'm allowed some time to hide out...Christ!  My life just went up in flames.  I have serious processing to do,” I huffed.  Riley snorted.

“Processing?  No, what you need to do is get your ass out there and show those sheep that they can NOT scare you off!  You are way above this.  I've always thought you were better than those stupid Chi Smelltas or whatever the f*ck they're called.”

“Chi Delta,” I corrected automatically.  It was Riley's turn to roll her eyes.

“Whoever the hell they are, they suck.  And you suck for letting those girls, or Jordan for that matter, get to you.  I know what happened was horrible.  I know you feel like Elizabeth Taylor, but seriously, do you think for one flipping minute that Olivia is crystal clean?  The lot of them have more dirty laundry than a damn laundry mat.  Grow a spine, Maysie Ardin!”

Wow, she was ruthless.  And right then, I appreciated her tough love approach.  I needed to be reminded that I wasn't this horrible human being.  Because I felt up there with Gadhafi or at least Paris Hilton.

But it wasn't just the fact that I had hurt Olivia.  I mean, I hated that.  I really did.  I wasn't a complete jerk.  But the truth was, my heart hurt.  I couldn't help but let my mind wander back to last night and watching Jordan lead Olivia away as she clung to him.  The fact was, seeing them together, I couldn't deny how they just worked.  They looked like they belonged together and I had no place in that pretty little picture.

Riley smacked the back of my head.  “And stop obsessing about Jordan Levitt.  If he can chase after you like that and then drop you on your ass once the going gets rough, then seriously, you're better off.”  Damn her and her all-knowing ways.  I picked up my mug of tea from the coffee table and took a drink.

“Why the hell did you make me tea?  You know I'm a coffee drinker,” I complained, grimacing at the taste.

“Because tea is soothing,” Riley retorted primly.  I could use some soothing, that's for sure.  I put my cup back on the table.

“Okay, okay. I hear you and make note of your suggestions.  But have you ever heard that it's easier said than done?  Well, there you go.  It's easier said than done,” I spat out.

Riley's face softened.  “I know, Mays.  I don't expect it to be easy.  You had your heart stomped on.  You had your pride slapped in the face like a little bitch.  You deserve to lick your wounds.  Just don't let it become an indefinite sabbatical.  I want you to come back swinging.  Go Muhommad Ali on this shit!”

I laughed.  I couldn't help it.  Riley was good for that.  Our moment of levity was interrupted by the sound of Don't Fear the Reaper.  My phone vibrated around the coffee table and I grabbed it like a live grenade.  It was Gracie.

“Hey,” I said a little breathlessly after I answered it.  Riley gave me a look and then got up to give me some privacy.

“Hey chica.  How are you today?' she asked sympathetically.

“Well, I'm better than that time I had mono.  So I guess that's something, right?” I said lightly.  Gracie chuckled on the other end.

“That's the spirit.” She said.  Then we fell silent.

“Okay, Gracie.  Just give it to me straight.  How bad is it?” I asked in a rush, wanting to get to the point.  Gracie sighed and I could practically hear her wheels turning as she questioned how much she wanted to tell me.