Are 'Friends' Electric?

Lorelai tried to straighten herself as much as her inebriated state allowed her, auburn curls still perfectly intact while she tilted her head back. The sidewalk was devoid of all other people, aside from the lone figure that caused her so much ire.

“Why is it that in a city of this size, I keep running into you?”

“Dunno. It’s not like I’m doing it on purpose.”

A bitter, feminine laugh escaped her dark-wine lips. “Suuure. You never do anything on purpose. You are always just so innocent.”

“I have a feeling we’re not talking about chance meetings anymore.”

“Oh, now you’re not so oblivious?”

Exasperatedly, Taisa shifted her weight on her other leg. “Will you get to the point, drunkie? I’m not in the mood for one of your anger tantrums.”

Lorelai aggressively snapped, “Don’t get all haughty with me. Like you’re anything but perfect.”

“Never claimed I was.”

“Spare me. You act all high and mighty but still play the helpless ingenue. And everyone falls for it.”

“What are you talking about?” Long dark brows furrowed in confusion.

“Like you had nothing to do with me and Vic breaking up.”

“WHAT?! Are you insane?”

“You seriously want me to believe that you had no idea all this time that Vic had the most obvious crush on you?”

“Well, up until recently I didn’t…” Taisa cast her gaze downwards.

“Wow, and it only took him 2 years. Congrats, I guess. You are truly a master of long-term planning.” Her tone was anything but congratulatory.

“It wasn’t anything planned. And I said no…”

Lorelai was genuinely surprised but quickly recomposed herself, “Well, that explains why you’re now all over my boss.”

“Ugh, the concept of platonic relationships always eluded you. There’s nothing going on between us.” ‘At least, I think so?’

“Stringing him along like with Vic? You know, sometimes you really are smarter than you look.”

“There is no point in continuing this”, thought Taisa. Lorelai would never change; the bitterness, the accusations, the passive-aggressive remarks. “Two years was not enough time apart, I see. Let’s try to not interact for another two. Good night and a good life.”

And with that, Taisa sidestepped the redhead that used to once be her best childhood friend. No point in trying to explain to someone when they have already made up their mind about what they want to hear.

“Avoiding me again? That’s your solution to everything, isn’t it?” she screamed after her. No matter how many years Lorelai practiced level headedness, Taisa would always rile her up with her impassive defenses; and with her air headedness; and with her poor-little-me act. Sometimes she felt a burning, white-hot hatred that mounted and burst into pure all-consuming rage. That rage gains momentum and becomes a force of its own, a force that drives her to do impulsive, reckless things.

But not even Taisa, with her prior knowledge on Lorelai’s rage issues, could have anticipated the woman madly dashing towards her, at full speed, on an electric scooter. Reacting instinctively, Taisa pressed herself against the wall of an outlet store, letting Lorelai whiz past her.

Apparently, electric scooters, high heels and dry martinis don’t go well together. Which would explain why Lorelai hurled herself head-first into a street poll. At first, Taisa’s heart was thumping loudly in her chest and in her ears, but after hearing Lorelai groan in pain, the panic quickly dissipated.

She thought of leaving her there, after all, the madwoman had tried to run her over… with an electric scooter. But looking at her pitiful curled up form, she did not see a vengeful redhead; she saw the friend she made over liking cupcake sprinkles; the insecure tween that cried over not fitting into tight jeans; and the young woman that told her all her hopes and dreams over extended shopping sessions.

Bending down to grab Lorelai’s arm, Taisa draped it over her shoulders and hoisted the semi-conscious redhead up and started dragging her to the nearest bench.

“Oww… My head…Is my nose still straight? I had such a pretty nose…” said a moaning Lorelai as she cradled her head in her palms.

Breathing heavily from her exertion, Taisa plunked onto the bench with a loud sigh. “You’re not bleeding, are you?”

She felt her face for a while, then shook her head to say no.

“Good.”

Raising her disheveled curled head, Lorelai slowly released her face from the cover of her scratched palms, revealing a melancholic expression. “How did things get like this?”

“You really have to be more specific…”

“Us hating each other.”

“I don’t hate you… I never did.”

“Then why did you bail on me?”

“Last time I checked, I wasn’t the one who accused her best friend of trying to steal her boyfriend before ghosting her for years.”

“Can you blame me? You start out all awkward and weird, but in the end, they end up fawning over you.”

“No one fawns over me. They do after you, though.”

“Pfft. Maybe in the beginning. Then, everything just gets… cold.”

“Well, you always were the emotionally distant type.”

“Thanks, your quirkiness.” Taisa frowned; she hated when she called her that. “What do you do, then? There has to be something you do to get them so…dependent.”

“Nothing, really. They talk, I listen; I talk, they say something back, and after a while, the conversation gets comfortable. It’s like breaking in a new pair of shoes.”

“No one gets comfortable around me. And I don’t feel comfortable around anyone.”

“… Maybe stop being so guarded all the time?”

“I used to feel comfortable around you.”

“So did I. With a few exceptions…”

Lorelai wearily looked at Taisa, a million bitter-sweet thoughts and memories washing over her countenance. “Do you think we can ever be friends again?”

Taisa sighed, trying really hard to ignore the pity she felt for her. “Honestly? No, Lori… I mean, you tried to run me over with an electric scooter, you crazy bitch.” She tried easing in a bit of lightheartedness towards the end of her sentence.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Lorelai forced a smile. “So that’s it?”

“Look, maybe you should get some therapy for your anger issues. And maybe stop drinking when you’re mad. I think it will help in the long run… for you to be happy…”

Lorelai hummed and propped her chin with her fist, “Wasn’t expecting words of wisdom from you.”

The thick atmosphere was interrupted by the ringing of Taisa’s phone. The ID caller flashed ‘00 Espresso’. She completely forgot about him and that he was supposed to pick her up after her graduation celebration. But she couldn’t leave Lorelai like this; vulnerable and half drunk on a cold bench late at night. Sure, she could call a taxi for her, but her conscience wasn’t comfortable leaving her alone like this.

“Heeeey.”

“Is your soiree over?”

“Yes. Was on my way to buy some toilet paper, but I got side-quested.”

“Why?”

“Because I ran out?”

“Not that. The side quest.”

“Ah well, I couldn’t find a store open nearby and something happened along the way.” Her words were starting to coalesce due to the rapid pace of her speech.

“Are you ok? Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.”

“A few blocks down from DeSoto’s. Can we do a slight detour, though?”

“Yes. Stay put, I’ll be there in five.”

“In five? How fast are you-“ The call ended abruptly and Taisa put away her phone, crossing her arms and leaning against the bench with an air of annoyance.

“What now?” inquired Lorelai.

“Now we wait for your chariot.”

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When Xander pulled up in front of the bench, he wasn’t expecting to find Taisa and his HR representative sitting together, looking like two disheveled schoolgirls that got out of a scuffle.

Lorelai was equally surprised when she saw her boss’s face behind the wheel. ‘Nothing going on, my ass.’

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Lorelai was dropped off safely to her condo after an awkward ride. Still, the silence tarried even after the HR representative had exited the car.

“How was your outing?” Xander was the first to break the verbal stillness.

“Ok. Casual.” Her short replies raised suspicions.

“Did the Chapman girl also attend?” He tried to hide his curiosity by focusing on the road.

“Nope.”

He quickly threw a glance her way. “Did you two get into a fight?” Xander was aware of the absurdity of his question, but he wasn’t getting anywhere with subtle interrogation maneuvers.

“What? No. We’re not mortal enemies… Neither friends, for that matter.” She looked out the window, the passing streetlights giving her eyes an amber glint.

“I thought you would be thrilled at the idea of having a nemesis.”

“Too much maintenance work. We just bumped into each other, that’s all. She looked like she needed help.”

“You are such a good Samaritan to your nemesis.”

“Your obsessive side is showing again.”

He hummed and smiled enigmatically. “So, what did you talk about?”

“Periods.” He took that as a clear sign not to ask anymore questions.

Still looking out the window, she suddenly tensed and nearly jumped out of her seat. “Wait! Stop here!”

“Why? Something wrong?”

“I still need to buy toilet paper.”