“Eh, things are fine,” she said a little moodily. I recognized that tone. She wasn't happy. I sat up and turned to face her.

“What happened, Riley. Spill,” I urged. Riley sighed and flicked off the TV.

“It's nothing. I'm probably being stupid.” She tried to wave it away but I wouldn't let her.

“If you're upset, it's not nothing. So what's up?” Riley let out an exasperated huff.

“Okay, so there's this awesome film festival down town this weekend. And I got us tickets because I thought it would be a pretty cool surprise. I mean, Damien is a freaking art major.”

I nodded. “Sounds cool to me,” I said supportively. Riley nodded her own head.

“Yeah, right? Well, I gave them to him last night after we were done with our shift at Barton's and he told me he couldn't go. That he promised his roommate they'd go to the driving range. Can you believe that? He's ditching me and a film festival for golf?” Her voice rose in pitch and I knew she was more hurt than angry.

I wanted to laugh. What I wouldn't give for simple disagreements like that. But it seemed when Jordan and I fought it was due to jealousy and insecurity. Maybe one day we could fight about him playing golf when I wanted to go shopping. It just seemed so nice and normal. But Riley was worked up and laughing would only earn me a seriously pissed off roommate.

So instead I patted her hand. “Well, he made a promise to his roommate, Riley. You wouldn't have any respect for someone who blew off their prior commitments. Because if he could do that to his friend, why wouldn't he do that to you? I think he's being kind of cool, actually. You know he'd probably rather go with you,” I reasoned. Riley rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm being stupid.” I squeezed her hand.

“Not stupid, you're being normal. What girl wants to be sidelined for sports? But at least he made his plans before you got the tickets. Otherwise, I'd tell you to kick his ass.” We laughed together and I could tell Riley was over her irritation.

“So, what do you have planned this weekend? Wanna go to a film festival?” she asked, pulling the tickets out of her pocket.

“Sure, why not. Could be cool,” I agreed and Riley smiled. “See, now we get a girl's day out of it! Score for both of us!” I enthused. Riley threw a pillow at me.

“As long as you don't try to give me a makeover, we're good.” I pretended to pout but I knew any efforts to dress my best friend would be deftly evaded. The girl beat to her own drum, that's for sure.

“Jordan's taking me out on a date tonight,” I said, after Riley had turned the television back on.

“Oh, yeah.” she said nonchalantly. Okay, she sounded too blase. Which could only mean...

“You know what he's planning, don't you?” I asked, grabbing the remote out of her hand and muting the television.

“Hey, I was watching that!” she complained but she couldn't contain her smile.

“What is it? Where's he taking me?” I jumped up and down on the couch, holding onto her hand. Riley laughed and shoved me away from her.

“Calm down or you'll have an aneurysm. Let's just say, the boy has romance in his soul.” Now I was intrigued. And really, really excited.

Riley chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Just shut up and let me mong out please. Some of us have to work this evening.” I snorted but slid down into the couch and propped my feet up on the coffee table. I watched three episodes of the most obnoxious program ever made. The dude with the beret had an obnoxious, nasally voice and made the most obvious and at times asinine observations. But Riley loved it, and swore the beret dude was one of the sexiest guys on TV. If Damien wasn't such a cutie, I would seriously question my best friend's taste in guys.

I pried myself off the couch around 6:00 and went and got a shower. Then I stood in front of my closet, trying to decide what to wear on my mystery date. I finally decided on a cute sleeveless maxi dress in off white with a brown belt around the waist. I had gotten the dress for a steal from Victoria's Secret and was looking for an excuse to wear it. Since we were experiencing a seriously hot Indian summer, I thought it would be perfect. I dug out some adorable brown wedged sandals and completed the outfit with a chunky silver bracelet and some thin, dangly earrings with stars on the bottom. I left my hair down, spritzing it with some salt spray and running my fingers through it to help bring out my natural wave.

I opted out of a lot of makeup and just coated my lips with a pale lip gloss. Not bad, I thought looking at myself in the mirror. I noticed the irises I kept in a vase on my dresser were officially dead. I scooped them out the glass and tossed them in the trash. I would have to remember to get some more. I was a sucker for fresh flowers, irises being my favorites. So, I tried to keep them in my room most of the time. At least until they died and I got around to getting some more.

I looked at the clock and shocked myself by seeing I still had fifteen minutes until Jordan was due to pick me up. I sat back down on the couch, smoothing my dress underneath me. Riley had left for her shift at Barton's thirty minutes ago, so the apartment was silent. I didn't feel like watching TV, I was too antsy. I grabbed my pack of cigarettes and went out onto the balcony. I was making a conscientious effort to minimize my smoking. But there were days when it proved difficult. I pulled a cigarette out of the pack and lit it up, staring out into the court yard just behind our building.