She was inspiring.I sometimes wish I could be more like that, but just thinking about being the center of attention makes my hands heavy and my tongue feel huge.It's just not who I am and I'm okay with that.I am okay with that.I am okay with that.Think it enough and it becomes truth.
"I'm not going to make it this year."
Knowingly, as though she has the inside track on all news that is my life, she says, "I wouldn't be too sure about that."
"Why do you say that?"
"My brother is the football captain.The banquet isn't optional for the captains."
"So.I'm not a captain."
She giggles.Actually, giggles like a child.
"True.Buuuuuut, the football captain, has some sort of obsession with you, and I don't think he's going to spend the whole night away from you."
Shit.She's right.There's no way that I'm going to get out of this one without a fight.Ada speaks again before I can reason my way out of this.
"What's your aversion to a good time anyway?"
And there it is.It always comes back to this question.She's essentially asking, what's your damage, weirdo?
"I think you already know that I'm...different."
"Different."It's a statement but she's looking for clarification.
"I'm awkward, weird, different, socially challenged, whatever you want to call it."
"Ah, I see.You're divergent.Welcome to the club.We meet on Thursdays, we eat carbs, and we play with fire."
I splutter on my own spit.I laugh so hard that the players closest to us turn around and look.
"I'm in your divergent club now?What even is that?"
"Don't even.Are you kidding me?You haven't seen Divergent?"
"Is it a play?"
"A play.Is it a play?"She's clearly exasperated."No, Bridgerton.It isn't a damn play."
"What's a Bridgerton?"
"Son of a bitch, Eve!What in the hell is wrong with you?I'm coming over.This is offensive behavior.It cannot be allowed to continue."Her hands are flying all over the place.She's always pretty expressive.So much so that I'm not sure she could form words if her hands were tied but right now, she could seriously confuse some traffic.
"What will you be coming over to fix?"
"Girl’s night.We start with Divergent, then Insurgent, and Allegiant.After that, we Bridgerton.Bridgerton isn't just a series.It's a movement.I'll induct you into the movement.It may not be easy, and I can't promise it won't be painful, but we'll get through it together."
"Why would we do it if it's painful?"
"Oh, it won't be painful for me.It might be painful for you.I'll be forced to pinch or slap you if you make negative comments about my favorite characters.It's how you learn.Don't worry.It'll be worth it."
I laugh.She's exactly how I imagined she would be.We sit and talk for a few minutes longer until Adam shows up in the aisle again.It's then that I realize we didn't just talk for a few minutes.We talked for over an hour.
"Hey big bro.Do you have any plans for tonight?"
He holds his hand out for me to come to him.
"We're busy."He tells Ada as he entwines our fingers together.
