Avery tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth.
“So, Megan,” she started, “pro tip, if Riley offends you again and needs to apologize, invite your other friends too.
The more the merrier.” I swallowed.
“I… I don’t really have any friends.” Avery paused.
“Not even one?” I shook my head.
Yes.
I didn’t have any friends and there was no need for the shocked expressions they were giving me.
What was I to do?
Every time my mother came looking for me, she stirred up as much trouble as she could, asking for money, making scenes.
She found ways to embarrass me until I gave her what she wanted just to make her leave.
How could I keep up with my friends when I was constantly looking over my shoulder?
Once or twice, my mother had called my friends, asking for money.
It was the worst thing she could have ever done to me.
So yes, I’d decided long ago that it was safer—and less embarrassing—to be alone.
Lonelier, but safer, and easier.
Which made me wonder.
Why was I sitting in Riley’s apartment, about to have a movie night with her and her friend when I knew the exact reason she had asked me to come.
And it was not the apology.
Deep down, some frightening part of me wanted to be there too.
I wanted this friendship.
I wanted it more than I should admit.
But if my mother ever surfaced and came looking for me again, it would be a disaster.
And I’d be too embarrassed to defend myself.
Wait, did Avery just say other friends?
Were we friends already?
That’s not good.
I got up immediately.
“I don’t think I should be here.” Riley’s expression changed.
“What?
Why?” “I—I think I should go.
En–enjoy your movie night.” Avery got up too and grabbed my arm.
“Please, don’t.
I’m sorry I mentioned anything.
I didn’t mean to make things awkward.” “No,” I said, guilt filling my voice.
“It’s just… I could get called in anytime.” “Then you leave from here,” Riley added, bending so she could see my face.
“I mean, I could drive you if you want.” I looked at her.
“You can even have a change of clothes from my wardrobe.
Anything at all” “No, that’s—” “Come on, Megan.
Please.
I really like you, and I’d love for us to be friends.” “Me too,” Avery added, still holding my arm.
“I’m sorry if what I said annoyed you.” My eyes moved from one to the other.
I should say no.
I really should.
I mean, what good will it do if embarrassment was the endgame on my side?
These people were different from any of my other friends.
They were billionaires even if they tried to downplay it.
I knew Riley was—considering her brother—and I’m assuming Avery was too.
If anything like the last time happened, how would I ever face them again?
Of course, money was not their problem, respect was everything.
I should just say ‘no’ and leave.
Instead, I sighed, whispering, “Okay.” Avery visibly relaxed.
Riley’s smile returned and I settled back into the chair.
Avery held out the popcorn bowl to me and I accepted.
Silence settled for a moment.
“So, what are we watching?” Riley asked, going for the remote control again.
“Megan?” My head snapped toward her.
“Um,” be a friend.
Be a friend.
“How about a medical film?” Riley nodded.
“Medical film, it is.” She searched and selected one and we settled in.
Even though I missed the title, I was ready to enjoy—and criticize—it.
It was my weird hobby.
I liked watching medical-themed movies, then criticizing them for everything they did wrong from the intro to the credit.
That way I’d make myself feel even better about being a doctor.
The movie started, and for approximately eleven minutes, I behaved, until a surgeon on the screen picked up a scalpel.
“That is not sterile,” I murmured, frowning at his wrong handling of the tool too.
The actors were trying to save a burn victim from the start of the movie, and I observed them.
Ten minutes later, the patient went into cardiac arrest, and one of them started pushing on his chest.
Hard.
“That is not how you perform CPR ” At that rate, he’ll die of a broken rib puncturing his lung.
Twenty minutes later, a doctor diagnosed a rare neurological condition after looking at a patient for approximately four seconds.
“That is ridiculous,” I murmured.
Riley threw a gummy bear at me.
“You are not really as quiet as you think you are, doctor,” she ate one of them.
“You are even worse than Roman.” My stomach tightened at the name, and my attention shifted from the movie.
“Your brother watches movies?” Avery asked, her eyes glued to the screen.
“When I force him too, but instead of watching he annoys me.” She ate another gummy bear.
“Even horror doesn’t scare him.
He says it’s staged.” “True crime?” “Said it wasn’t happening to the real people.” “Wow.” “I know.” she suddenly turned to me.
“Do you think if we got you two together to watch a movie you’ll bore each other out with the criticism?” Got who and who together for what?
There was no way I’d sit through a medical film with her hardheaded, proud brother.
I tried to reject the idea when I saw her sly smile.
The minx.
“That’s not funny,” I said, not sure if I was relieved.
“I’m laughing.
Speaking of Roman,” she continued, turning now to Avery, “he bought Megan’s first dance for forty million dollars at the charity fundraiser.” Avery’s eyes widened.
“Really?” She tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth.
“What did the organizers say about that?” “They were thrilled, of course,” Riley replied, grinning.
“And now the children’s hospital in Boston can get everything they need.” “Jonathan bought Riley’s.” I quickly added, not wanting to be the center of discussion.
Or make them realize I was getting more interested in their conversation about Roman Sterling than the medically-inaccurate movie.
My chest was still fluttering.
“Yes.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder proudly.
“For twenty-three million dollars.” Avery stared at her, then her eyes reduced comically.
“And you danced with him?” “Of course.
I am still an excellent dancer, notwithstanding.” She pointed at her crutch lying by the sofa.
“You stepped on him, didn’t you?” “Oh, ye of little faith.
Not once.” Her pride was obvious.
I had to admit, that was impressive.
The movie continued and I criticized every medical scene that came up.
Eventually, the girls got used to it and stopped giggling.
Avery curled into one end of the sofa, while Riley stretched out beneath an afghan.
I remained in the chair, folding my legs in, until she complained.
“You’re sitting too far away, Megan.” I set the popcorn bowl down.
I was full.
“I’m comfortable.” “You’re practically in another room.” “This is the same room.” “Come here, let’s snuggle together.
That’s why it’s called a girl’s night.” “I thought it was movie night.” “Well, I’m changing the name.” “I don’t think—” “Oh, just get over here,” Avery interjected, rubbing her eyes, “With Riley, there are times you reject, vehemently, if I may add, and there are times you just do as she says to get her to shut up.” Riley gasped, chuckling.
“Rude, but I’ll allow it.” Then, “Megan?
We are waiting.” I smiled, sighed and moved to the sofa.
Pushy was her first nature.
Noted.
Kind was the second.
Avery shifted to make space, and the afghan eventually found its way over all three of us.
The movie continued, but I don’t know when the movie stopped making sense.
Or when the dialogue became nothing more than background noise.
I only remembered feeling warm.
Comfortable.
Safe.
That last one frightened me more than it should have.
I wasn’t used to feeling safe in other people’s homes.
I wasn’t used to friendship.
Most of all, I wasn’t used to people wanting me around except my patients.
But Riley did.
And now, Avery did.
So for one night, I let myself believe it.
Believe it was okay.
My eyes became heavy.
The television blurred.
Beside me, someone laughed softly and I smiled without opening my eyes.
Then my phone vibrated.
Once.
My eyelids lifted halfway, I saw the screen glow.
I didn’t check.
Whatever it was could wait until morning.
After all, it wasn’t the hospital.
They would have called.
I pulled the afghan higher, shifting when Riley shifted beside me.
Avery had fallen asleep.
Her breathing had evened out.
The movie continued murmuring softly in the background.
Sleep called to me and I allowed it.
As I dozed off, I heard my phone vibrate again.
I ignored it.
Again.