LORELEI

My best friend in the world is only really my friend because she was the only one allowed into my bejeweled cage. Would we have picked one another? Who knows? But, we're sisters at this point. I tell her everything and she tells me everything so as soon as I get into her Porsche and I feel like we are alone, I tell her all about Roper.

“Kar – the older brother – he’s a troublemaker. He’s no good. But, Jake is a nice guy. He is rough around the edges but nice and funny…” I trail off for a minute.

“Jo?” Lorelei finally says after what feels like 5 seconds but was probably longer.

“Sorry! Anyway, he’s a nice guy. Stand up dude. Working in the prison for shitty pay and just making the best of his small town.”

“And that,” she says with disgust, “is what you want out life?”

“You are such a cunt.”

“Whatever,” she says “Maybe, but you’re just weird Joey.”

“I know that you don’t get it and that’s cool but none of this,” I gesture around the car at all of the gorgeous houses and stunning yards zipping past, “appeals to me. It all looks plastic. Like it came in a kids’ toy set.”

“Well, that’s because everything is perfect, sis.”

“True,” I say. “I just don’t like perfect.”

She shakes her head again. “You are so weird. Turn on some music. Stop talking.”

“I am telling you about Jake.”

“Oh my god, Jo. You are slumming it. Enjoy it. whatever. But don’t get pregnant because you are deluded if you think you want that life over this one.” She turns on the radio.

I just look out the window like a zombie abductee. I was arrested. It’s been a long night. I don’t care about Lorelei at the moment. I just want my bed.

But, she always knows when she has been a bitch and fixes it. She turns off the radio and says, “Joey. You are the most beautiful and sweetest girl in the whole world and there are a lot of people out there that would prey on you if they were given the chance. You need to date within our circle, honey.”

“I understand. It’s not just that you are a snob – even though you are. You are afraid I will get hurt.”

“No shit, Sherlock. You’re my best friend, dumbass.”

“I just think that you and I are not as much the same as you sometimes think,” I say quietly because I feel bad as the words come out.

“Again, it’s like you are just now processing our friendship. You are clearly a weirdo and I am not. However, we have perfectly suitable weirdos within our circle.”

“Well, that’s just rude.”

“Get your shit out of my car, don’t leave that gum wrapper,” she says as we pull into my parents' driveway.

“Love you, too.”

“Oh my god, bitch. I LOVE YOU!" She screams so loud it echoes. I am at the door by the time my ears stop ringing.

I grab the keys out of my purse and then remember that the locks have been changed. I turn around and run flailing toward Lorelei’s car, “STOP! I am locked out! STOP! LORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!” I scream.