Thrillers and dramas

Rina and I excitedly hopped off “The Soul Flayer” again, high-fiving each other and laughing as we went.

Rina: Man, I think this one is my fave too, Em! That shit fucking rips you up!

Emery: It really does! The designers really knew what they were doing. And the mood they set complements it so well too!

Rina: Yeah! The smoke and light show at the end there? Even better the third time! I know why this place is broke, there’s no way they ain’t still paying that shit off hahaha!

She once again tried and failed to tame her thoroughly windblown hair as we grabbed our stuff from the storage cubbies.

Rina: Ahh man…! I feel bad Nia had to sit out though!

Emery: Don’t worry about it so much, Rina. I’m sure her…

I gesticulated awkwardly as I formulated my point.

Emery: …having a full stomach didn’t help things, haha! But that’s not the main issue; indoor rides like that always make her feel woozy after a round or two. Normally we only go on them once, but she always feels guilty because she knows I really like them. So chill out, you’re actually doing us both a big favor by keeping me company.

Giving her a thumbs up, I smiled and finished making sure everything was in my backpack.

As we headed down the exit ramp, we spotted Nia sitting on a nearby bench. She had an annoyed look on her face and was nursing some sort of iced beverage close to her chest. The reason for the annoyance was immediately evident; a couple of guys with baseball caps and casual clothing sat on either side of her.

Rina’s eyes squinted at the scene.

Rina: Are those guys trying to hit on her?

I sighed and put my hands on my hips

Emery: Yeah, probably.

Rina: Should we go and uh, do something about that?

I analyzed the situation to see how it was faring.

The two of them were talking to her back and forth. She was giving them short or non-verbal responses. I could even see her roll her eyes from all the way over here. She had herself closed off, and they didn’t seem to be making any moves to get up.

I sighed again, more heavily this time.

Emery: Yeaaah, I know that look. She’s definitely already told them no a few times. They probably ignored her, or they’re making some kind of excuse.

Rina: What the fuck? Who does that?

Emery: Nia has really bad luck with guys for some reason. To put it bluntly, basically everyone who hits on her seems to be an asshole.

Rina: Maybe all the decent people can tell she’s not interested? Not like it matters either way.

Emery: Who knows.

As we closed in, I put a hand out in front of Rina and motioned for her to stop.

Emery: Don’t worry, I’ve got this. I know you’re not a fan of arguments.

Rina: …Huh? Uh, okay…

She gave me a puzzled look, but then nodded and stood back.

I took a deep breath and pulled from my well of experiences. I hated resolving problems like this, why did it have to be by far the easiest method…?

Steeling myself, I put on my most exaggerated ditzy girl mannerisms and pinched my vocal chords, transforming my already soft, feminine voice into that of an archetypal soprano woman.

Emery: Honeeey! I’m soooo sorry, jeez! Did I keep you waiting?

I jogged over to Nia with an intentionally bad running form and then put my hands on my knees as if I were out of breath. Her face immediately perked up as she heard me and she gleamed at me. I grabbed onto her hand and pulled her out of her seat. The two guys, meanwhile, frowned and gave me a once over as they stayed seated.

Nia: Yeah! Where were you? I thought we were heading home?

Emery: Yeah, sorry! We were waiting by the bathroom for waaay too long. Then I got lost, like usual hehe!

I shrugged out my arms in dramatic exasperation, then in one motion smoothly hooked her with my arm and took a sip from her drink, before affectionately kissing her on the neck. Turning to the bench, I looked over the two guys and gave them a wide, ditzy smile.

Emery: Were you boys keeping my dear company while I was away?

Guy #1: Uhh…

I interjected before he could gather his thoughts.

Emery: Daw, you’re too sweet! We were worried her morning sickness was coming back. I felt bad leaving her all alone like that!

Guy #2: Wait, you’re actually pregnant?

Nia held her belly and barked angrily at the man.

Nia: That’s what I was fucking telling you.

Emery: Hey hey, be nice honey. It’s okay.

Pulling Nia into a caress, I rubbed her back and made a show of consoling her.

Emery: Sorry guys, she’s a lil moody. I appreciate you keeping her company! We gotta get her home. Have a nice day!

I guided Nia from the pair and turned to walk away.

Guy #1: …Um hey, wait a sec-

Waving my hand, I raised my voice to drown him out and greeted Rina.

Emery: Heeeey, you were right! She was over here!

Rina waved back, then shot the guys a glare so venomous it almost made me nervous. I looked back and waved at them as well to gauge their reaction. Appearing suitably put off, we made our way from the scene as they sat there bewildered.