“It's nice to see you again after so many years, Kara.”

Kara and I just got back from our shopping day trip. After succeeding in finding her a couple of dresses, we were in a pretty silly mood on the drive home, recounting lots of funny stories from our childhood.

Like, the biggest fight we ever had was because she wouldn't agree with me about which My Little Pony was best. Of course I was the unreasonable one who decided it was a very big problem that we didn't agree.

She said, ‘It's okay if we like different ponies. We're still best friends!’

To which I very maturely said, ‘Not anymore! Not unless you say Applejack is best!’

We had a good time laughing about all those silly times together. In most of the stories, I was a little shit and she was sweet and kind.

I'm not sure that has changed.

However, we're at my dad's house now and the moment I walked in the door, I felt like all the happiness from the day was sucked out of me.

He made us dinner, and he has us sitting at the dining room table even though we just got here. It feels forced and fake to me.

I'm not sure I have ever eaten at the dining table in this house. If we eat together it's usually in front of the television. Watching movies and eating are pretty much the only things we actually do together.

We are usually not very talkative when we do them either. I guess adding Kara to the mix has changed the equation for him, since we're all eating at the table and he's chatting her up.

I can mostly tune it out thanks to how good this meal is. Say what you will about his life choices, but my dad is a great cook. No doubt about it. It’s really the one thing I look forward to when I visit.

My mom was never much of a cook to begin with, and she pretty much stopped cooking entirely after the divorce. While I can hold my own in the kitchen, I have never made anything quite on his level.

He made green chile chicken enchiladas, and I'm really enjoying them. They're spicy, but the cheese cuts into the spice just enough, and the chicken is so perfectly tender. They are good enough to restore some of my good mood.

“It's nice seeing you too, Mr…err…Doctor? Jimenez.”

My dad laughs, “You only have to call me ‘Doctor’ if and when you're in one of my classes.”

Kara nods and smiles, “Okay, mister, then.”

“You've certainly grown, haven't you? How tall are you anyway?”

My dad's stupid fucking question pulls me out of my food-induced contentment.

I put down my fork and cross my arms, “Dad, is that really one of the first things you have to say to her when you haven't seen in so long?! To talk about her appearance!? That's at the top of the list for you!?”

He frowns, “Calm down, Emily. I don't think it's a strange question.” He smiles at her, “You just look so different. You were this cute little girl. And now you're much bigger than I am, so I was just-”

I see Kara’s smile falter. I'm already seething, but seeing her reaction causes something to boil over inside of me.

I pound my fist on the table and yell, “Dad. Just…SHUT UP!”

I feel a little bit of embarrassment at my outburst in front of Kara, but it’s drowned out by the boiling rage.

My dad does what he usually does when I blow up at him. He looks at me like he wants to say something, but he doesn't. Then he shakes his head, and sighs, “I'll…go to my office.”

After he leaves, I notice Kara looking at me like she wants to say something.

I sigh as I pick at my food, which no longer tastes nearly as good, “Have something to say?”

She shakes her head and looks down at her dinner plate with a worried expression.

I scoff, “Don't shake your head if you're going to keep making that face.”

She grimaces, “I'll…make a different face.”

Ugh. This is the second time today I've snapped at her when I was pissed at my dad. I'm SUCH a good friend.

Yep, totally still a little shit. And she's still the sweet one.

I look down at my plate and sigh, “Sorry, Kay. I shouldn’t take it out on you. I…was too mean to him too, wasn't I?”

Kara shrugs but I can see on her face that she agrees.

I was trying to keep him from saying something that would hurt her. At least, that's what I was telling myself. But I blow up at my dad all the time for little stuff. This was just the latest example.

“Ugh, you're right. I'll go get him.”

Kara gives me a cute smile and a nod, which motivates me even more.

I get up and knock on my dad's door, and go into his office when he says I can come in.

“Everything okay with the food, Emily?”

I stand in front of him with my arms behind my back, “Y-yeah um…it's really, really good, actually. Spicy just how I like it. Thank you.”

He smiles softly, “You're very welcome.”

I bow my head slightly, “I-I'm sorry I snapped at you. Kara is…very sensitive about her size and…that's why I wanted you to stop talking about it. But I…could have handled it better. Please come back and eat with us.”

My dad smiles a little wider, “Okay. I will.”

I nod and leave his office and join Kara back at the table “He's coming back. Thanks for pointing out I was being a b-i-t-c-h.”

Kara shakes her head like she wants to deny it, and then takes a big gulp of water. I notice that all of her normally very pale skin is flushed and her eyes are watering. I see that she has only eaten about half an enchilada. Normally she eats insanely fast.

I put my hand over my mouth to hold a laugh in, “It's too spicy for you, isn't it?”

Kara shakes her head, but it isn't very convincing since she looks like a tomato. One that's on fire.

She must not want my dad to think she doesn't like his cooking. But she doesn't need to go so far. Not everyone is built for spicy food.

Just then my dad returns to the table and apparently he overheard us, “I'll go get some sour cream to help. I also made a few without the green chili just in case. I remembered you didn't like spicy when you were li-” My dad's eyes dart over to me and back to Kara in an instant,”...younger. Would you like to switch to those?”

Kara frowns, but then nods thankfully as my dad heads to the kitchen and takes the offending enchiladas away. I hand her my glass of water, which she downs in a big gulp.

“Thank…you.”

I laugh, “You're welcome, but say something next time before you start melting.”

My dad returns with the sour cream and a fresh place of enchiladas. After the sour cream and a couple of minutes, Kara's skin finally returns to the usual color.

After that, we have a nice meal together. Kara doesn't melt, and I'm not a b-i-t-c-h to my dad again.

----------------------------------------

I'm in my history class. Western Civilization I. I just took it because it was a required gen ed course, but I've been enjoying it. And the current lecture is kind of blowing my mind.

My professor is a tall, skinny man in his 50s with dusty brown hair. He has long, skinny legs and arms, and he gestures wildly at times. He gestures a bit wildly at times, and his suits, which only seem to come in shades of brown, are all pretty shabby. He looks like something of a cross between the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz and Ichabod Crane.

Despite his whimsical appearance, he gives off an aura of intelligence. Most of all because he has this smooth, powerful baritone voice that I feel commands my attention. He just sounds like he knows everything.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

I'd listen to him read a phone book. And I can tell most of my classmates agree, who are largely giving him their undivided attention, just like I am. And today, what he's talking about is way more interesting than the phonebook.

“That is to say…we don't actually know what caused the Late Bronze Age Collapse. We know something catastrophic did, otherwise all of these major cities and civilizations we have learned about so far wouldn't have disappeared or taken a major step back right around 1200 B.C.E. But they did. Every single one of them. All we have to go on are a few Egyptian sources referring to what they call the Sea Peoples, who the Egyptians defeated in 1175 B.C.E. But we don't know who they were or where they came from. We also don't know if they had anything to do with what happened to other early civilizations either, like the Minoans. Perhaps, if we ever manage to translate the Minoan language, we'll find some new information. But for now, we simply have to say that we don't know what caused the Late Bronze Age Collapse. But we do know it altered the course of history in a way few other events have.”

He looks at his watch, “Alright, that's all we have time for today. Next time, we'll take a look at the Greek Dark Ages that were brought on by this catastrophe. I'll see you all Wednesday.”

As everyone gets ready to head to their next class, I feel the urge to do something I haven't done before in all my years of schooling. I'm going to stay behind to talk to my teacher.

Once most people have cleared out, I approach him at the front of the class as he's gathering his own things.

“D-doctor Aines?”

He looks up from his bag, “Yes, Miss…Jimenez, right?”

I nod, “That's right. I just wanted to say…Today's lecture was crazy! Like…I didn't know there was so much we don't know. I thought history was kind of…settled. That history class was just…memorizing when all that stuff happened. But…you really opened my eyes.”

He chuckles, “Yes, there's much we still don't know. And even when it comes to more recent history. History is very far from settled. Otherwise there wouldn't be much need for historians. And I hope you'll see that there's a lot more to it than just a list of dates.”

I nod, “I think I'm already seeing that. Well…I look forward to learning more from you. Thank you, sir.”

He nods, “Have a good one Miss Jimenez.”

…

I'm waking up from a nice late afternoon nap. My long day of classes tired me out. Turns out focusing in class can take it out of you. Who knew?

As I become more awake, I notice that I feel someone next to me in the bed. It feels nice. Warm…and somehow safe.

Wait…WHAT!?

Suddenly, I feel very afraid.

I open my eyes as wide as they will go.

I slowly sit up and move away from the person and very cautiously look to see who it is. I breathe a sigh of relief when I see someone with a familiar broad back and blonde hair laying on her side.

But…why did she get in bed with me?

I feel a weird mix of emotions rumbling around in my chest. I can't identify all of them, but anger and confusion are definitely in the mix.

Just as I’m trying to decide my next move, Kara starts to stir. She rolls on her back and half-opens her eyes and smiles at me. “Hey, Em.” She must notice the look on my face because she opens her eyes the rest of the way and sits up before asking, “Is…something wrong?”

“Why are you here? In my bed?”

“Well, I was coming over to study, remember? When I got here, you were asleep and…you just looked so cozy. It reminded me of napping together when we were little. I couldn’t resist.”

I look away from her and massage the back of my neck, “Okay, well. I…don't know how I feel about this. We aren't little kids anymore, Kay.”

She frowns and looks more than a little hurt, but also confused. “I’m sorry. You…didn't like it?”

“Waking up with you in the bed was scary when I didn't expect it. I wasn't sure who you were at first.”

She puts a hand to her forehead, “Yeah, I didn't think of that. I’m so sorry, Em. I messed up. I didn't want to scare you.”

“It's…okay. I know you didn't want to scare me. I'm…having a hard time understanding why you thought it was a good idea, though.”

She shrugs her broad shoulders, “I needed a nap too. A-and I just got next to you and was very comfortable so I just went with it. I…thought it felt nice.” She bows her head with a solemn look on her face, “I…won’t do it again, though.”

She's taking this so hard. She wants to nap with me that much? That's kind of cute, I guess. She really is still like a little girl sometimes.

Ugh, I kind of liked it too before I got scared. And the idea of napping with her does sound oddly appealing.

I guess I'm still like a little girl too. At least with her.

I sigh, “Well…maybe we can try it again some time. But…let's both be aware of it if we do, okay?”

She smiles so wide at me I have to look away. Apparently my words really lifted her spirits.

“Okay!”

I nod and get up off of the bed with a stretch, “For now though…let’s go to the library and study. No naps allowed in there!”

…

I just got back to my dorm room after studying with Kara. As I'm getting ready to take a shower, my phone starts to vibrate on my bed.

When I look, I'm surprised to see my ex-boyfriend's name flashing on the display. We haven't spoken since we broke up more than a month ago.

I don't hate the guy. And I figured we would talk again at some point. But still, he’s my ex. Do I really want to talk to him?

I consider not answering, but curiosity gets the better of me before I let it go to voicemail. I sit down on my bed and flip my phone open.

“Uh…hey, Derek.”

“Hey Emily, how are you?”

He sounds a little…off.

“I'm doing okay. You? How's college?”

“It's good, listen I wanted to ask you something.”

“Um…okay, I'm listening.”

“I was just…wondering if you'd send me a picture.”

“Um…huh? A picture? Of what?”

“Of you.”

“Why would I do that? That's weird.”

“Well…more specifically, I want um…a nude.”

I'm so surprised by his request that I'm silent for several seconds. Once it sinks in, my blood starts to boil.

“What the hell kind of question is that? It's not like I ever let you see that when we were together! Why the fuck would I let you see it now!?”

He quietly responds, “Because…I miss you.”

I sigh, “What kind of sense does that make? And you sound weird. Asking for this kind of thing is pretty out of character too. What's going on?”

“I'm…a little drunk. Sorry.”

I scoff loudly, “Just what the daughter of an alcoholic wants to hear. I'm hanging up now.”

“WAIT…wait! Emily…”

He sounds so desperate I can't help but give in. I respond with a loud sigh to let him know I didn't hang up.

He’s quiet for a moment and then he sounds like his usual self, instead of a drunk frat boy. I guess he pulled himself together.

“Do you…still want to try? Long distance?”

I sigh, “No, I don't.”

“Is it because of the picture thing?”

I laugh wryly, “That certainly didn’t help your standing, but no, that's not why. I don’t think we work as a couple. I realized that, in the time since we broke up.”

“Oh. You have a new boyfriend you like more, don’t you? I’m so stupid…I shouldn’t have-

I interrupt him, “What!? No. That’s not what’s happening here. I don’t even really have any guy friends here so far.”

“Then what do you mean?”

“I mean…we were together for a year and never said ‘I love you.’ We were together a year and…I never felt comfortable going past kissing. And it was very sweet of you to be so patient. That was one of my favorite things about you. But…I think I should have wanted to do more if we were right for each other.”

He sounds absolutely crushed when he replies,“Oh.”

I also want to say that I never opened up to him emotionally. Not all the way. He knows my mom is an alcoholic, but not the rest.

But he already sounds pretty sad, so I'll leave that out.

“I'm sorry.”

He sighs, “But…I really like you, Emily. You're the coolest girl I know, and prettiest too.”

Ugh. He dumped ME and now he has ME feeling bad. Although…since he wants me back, I guess I AM sort of dumping him now.

“Th-thank you. I like you too. But…as a friend. I think that's what we're supposed to be. Don’t you feel like there’s something missing between us for us to be a couple? You wouldn’t have dumped me otherwise, right?”

He sighs, “I…guess. Yeah. Maybe…that spark was missing.”

“Exactly. I guess that's what I'm saying, too.”

“Well…friends it is then.” He sighs, “Sorry for being a perv at the beginning of this talk.”

“You should be. Don’t do it again, or we won't be friends either.”

“I won't. But…will we really still be friends, or are you just saying that?”

“We'll really be friends. We were for like two years before we dated, remember?”

He sighs, “Well sure, but I was secretly into you that whole time.”

“...are you saying you don't want to be friends if there's zero chance of you sleeping with me?”

“What!? No.” He sighs in frustration, “Maybe talking about this when I'm drunk is a bad idea.”

“Probably. But I'll be patient. What did you mean?”

“Just…it would suck if we weren't friends at least.”

“Well, we will be. I value you as a person, just…not as a boyfriend.”

He groans, “The first part was so nice. Did you have to say the second part? I get it, okay? We aren't getting back together.”

I laugh, “Sorry. Anyway, you should probably go sleep it off. We can talk more about it when you're not drunk.”

“Yeah, you're right.”

After we say goodbye and we hang up, I stare at my phone, feeling oddly energized and happy.

I guess it was kind of nice getting the last say about things.