Gera got behind the wheel. They were heading back home after spending a full morning, and eventually noon, at Tina’s.
On the passenger’s seat, Meena. She sat quietly. Her eyes moving over her right shoulder as she looked at the colorful trees they drove by. From the moment she left Adam’s room, there was a smirk on her face that was not going away, and she didn’t want Gera to notice.
“You’re awfully quiet.”
“That’s funny, I thought the same thing about you, but decided to keep it to myself,” said Meena.
“Are you hinting that I should keep it to myself that you’re quiet?”
“No, I’m just telling you what I was thinking.”
“Oh. Well, I didn’t realize I was being quiet.”
Discretely, Meena rolled her eyes. She knew something wasn’t adding up and Gera knew it, but she was being standoffish.
After what seemed to be too much awkward silence, Gera turned on the radio and played some background music. It was an instant mood shifter for both girls. Perhaps in a subconscious synchronization, they exhaled and relaxed their shoulders, undeoubtedly releasing the unexpected tension that built between them.
“I just think it’s weird.”
“What’s weird?” asked Gera.
“Your attitude the whole time we were there. It was so obvious. It was like you didn’t want me to meet Adam or something. Honestly, what was up with that?”
“What? Nonsense. Why would I care if you f–ked Adam?”
“See? I wasn’t even talking about that.”
“Oh? So you did f–k him?”
“Oh my god, why are you so… Okay, what is going on? Aren’t you happy for me? ‘Cause I’m bouncing back already from this whole stupid breakup.”
“It’s only been like a day, but yes, good for you.”
“Try to say that with a little more enthusiasm next time.”
Meena crossed her arms and turned her head to look out the window again. “But really,” she said, once again breaking the silence. “What am I missing? What’s up with you?”
“Nothing is going on, Meena.”
But Meena wasn’t buying it. She asked Gera again and again to tell her if there was anything about Adam that she should know before she saw him again.
“You’re seeing him again?” she asked, and her persistent interest made it crystal clear to Meena; Adam was the focal point.
“Dude, you’re not telling me something…do you like him?”
For a second, Gera just brushed it off and laughed as if it was a crazy question. But after a long moment of silence, and as they approached Meena’s house, she decided that it was best to clear the air.
“Alright, here’s the story…”
Just Browsing is my latest ongoing series available on the new Kindle Vella. To continue reading this story, go to the link above. New episodes are being added regularly. Be sure to check it out! Your feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Blurb: A young introverted and insecure college student decides to use her spare time to explore the obscure world of internet dating. After much catfishing and a few failed dating attempts with men, she gains enough confidence to start a new identity and play a game she thought only men could play.
