Page 8 of Final Girl

Someone we pass on the sidewalk.

What if they were in the diner when I was yesterday?

“Try any of the wives of all the married old men she was fucking.”

“Really?” I scrunch up my nose. I always just thought she was a free spirit, someone that liked sex. I never thought she’d sleep with married men. That’s gross.

“Do you really think she made enough in tips working at the Greasy Spoon to afford the little sports car she’s been driving?” Talia says.

“Or them tits and that ass,” Steve notes.

“No way.”

“She didn’t go to Mexico to work on her tan, is all I’m saying. You know I get all the dirt at the salon.” Steve snaps his fingers.

He’s not wrong. You sit in one of those chairs long enough, you’ll learn things about yourself that sound so true you’ll question if it happened, and you forgot.

“I’ve gotta get back to the shop.” He air kisses our cheeks.

“Want to get coffee at the Quick Stop?” I ask Talia.

“And shit out my insides for the next two weeks. I heard they have maggots in their ice cream machine because they never clean it. I’ll call you later.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and regret not packing an emergency snack. Now I have no choice but to run home and grab a quick sandwich. Though after what Talia said about the Quick Stop and remembering what she said about the state of Sally, I don’t exactly have an appetite.

I open up the library and go through the motions.

I can’t stop thinking about Sally and our last conversation. Her family must be devastated . I’ll send them some flowers and maybe a card.

Pike texted me he’ll be here in twenty minutes. I didn’t even have any idea he had my number, but then again, this is Pike, my bestie’s brother. He probably has always had my number as an emergency contact or something. I don’t know. This whole thing just feels crazy to me.

I thought about canceling considering what happened to Sally, but if the tables were reversed, she wouldn’t spare me a second thought. I sent flowers to her mother and promised Talia I’d at least attend the wake with her, even though funerals give me the creeps.

Every time I go to one, I have nightmares that the corpse raises up and tries to choke me.

My phone rings and I see it’s Talia. “Hey,” I say as I finish pulling out the last curler from my hair. I’ve always sucked at curling irons, and still do it the old fashion way. Talia always gets on my butt about it, but meh, it’s easy for me. Why change it?

“You ready for tonight? I already gave my brother the rundown, told him to treat you like the magnificent woman you are, and that you hate the color pink. So, if he shows up with pink flowers, just shut the door in his face.”

I laugh at that. “I would never. It’s the thought that counts.”

“Yeah, and he knows you hate pink, so he’s being a douche if he brings you pink flowers,” she grumbles. “Oh, what’d you decide on wearing? Please tell me you are dressed up.”

Letting out a puff of air, I roll my eyes. “Uh, no. It’s just movies. I’m wearing normal clothes. Chances are I’ll end up wiping butter on myself or something, and no point in running a good outfit that will get wrecked by sitting on gum. Plus, you know me, Tals. When do I ever dress up?”

“Ugh. We need to get you out to the city more. Go out clubbing or something.”

“No, no thanks. You know that’s not me. I like quiet. I like movies, having friends around, going to dinner. I’m not a party girl.”

“Yeah, yeah. Have fun, but don’t be so quick to give him your v-card. Make him work for it.”

“Talia,” I say her name in a warning tone. She knows me. I would never give that part of myself on a first date. At least I don’t think I would, but I’ve never exactly had the chance to test that out.

“Hey. I’m just saying. I know my brother. He’s going to try to get in your pants as soon as humanly possible. Make him wait. Guys love the chase.”

“Right. I’ll call you later,” I tell her right as Tanner shrieks in the background.

“Babysitting calls.” She laughs, and the call ends as she calls out, “I’m going to get you, my precious and your little hamster too.”