Absurd Appointments

What Have I Done?

What is wrong with me?

"Stop trying to suffocate yourself."

Lucy stretches into her blanket as I remove my head from the pillow I'm screaming into. I send Leah a sullen look.

"How can you be so calm?" I ask her. "You're supposed to be calling me crazy, there's literally no other word to describe this situation."

She tuts at me from her position on the floor and I wonder again why the ample seating in my living room didn't satisfy Leah. Instead, she was sprawled on the floor surrounded by the most colourful pillows she could swipe from the couch.

Lucy was right beside her on a rainbow patchwork blanket she kept stealing from my bed.

Sometimes it's like I have 2 cats.

"Dela. You're one of the most sensible people I know, even more than my parents. So while it's a weird situation I kinda trust that you've thought it through."

"Besides," she says with a smile, "I think it's cute that you have a crush".

"CUTE?? CUUTE?! There's nothing cute about this!"

Well, I should be thankful that Leah was even seated because Josh was currently wearing a hole into my floor. Pacing is Josh's way of dealing with stress and pace he did, all over my living room. Even I got back after my abduction feeling like I had just escaped a weird version of Alice in wonderland.

Except instead of a rabbit, I followed Lucy and instead of a lovable mad hatter I had wolves.

.

Oh yeah. The wolves. I kept that bit to myself because what I'd told them was weird enough.

"Of all the inane things to say!"

Leah and I simultaneously groaned as Josh started another lecture.

I could feel familiar tension creeping around my skull with his volume so I unfolded myself from the couch and headed for my kitchen.

Soft early morning light bathed my small kitchen in a warm glow. Pale pink cupboards and small potted plants made the place bright and girly. Just like my mom. We'd planned on remodeling and expanding the space but life had other plans. The kettle's screeching jostled me from my thoughts and I fished out some precious camomile teabags.

A sip and sigh later, Josh had settled his elbows on my small counter and was worriedly watching me from across his seat.

"Headache?"

"Yeah"

"Sorry for the screaming."

"It's okay. I can't blame you." I told him with a smile.

I really couldn't. The absurdity of the situation was overwhelming.

Who gets kidnapped, manages to escape but then makes plans with their kidnapper? Me apparently.

Seems the shock of the abduction had thrown my brain for a loop because there was absolutely no reason for me to do what I did.

"What does he even need a fiance for?" Leah asked, joining us.

"The real question here is if that guy is mentally stable." Josh retorted.

"How does one pose as a fiance?" She continued.

All important questions, though perhaps Josh's was the most important.

I know nothing about the stupid operation I had agreed to with. Even less about the operation planner.

But am I gonna go through with it?

"Taser?"

"Check."

"Pepper spray?"

"Cheeeck!"

I rubbed my head as Josh and Leah went back and forth through their list.

We were meeting Cayson.

As if offering to complicate my life wasn't enough, I'd been scatterbrained enough to give out my number for communication before leaving the car.

Well my senses had long since reset (with the help of Josh's scolding), and I hoped that the scrap of paper with my number simply vanished away.

Maybe with the help of those wolves. Further contact between Cayson and I was very much unwanted.

The universe paid my wishes no heed because I awakened Sunday morning to a call from Cayson. 5 minutes and lots of awkwardness later and we had plans to meet at a coffee shop in town. To go over details.

I'm no coward but there is no way in hell, I was facing this guy alone. I immediately called in my troops and related this new development, we brainstormed a plan and awaited the day.

Wednesday evening arrived way too soon and we're now on the way to the meet up point. My stomach lurches dangerously at the thought of even seeing Cayson again.

At least this time, I'm not alone.

"You sure he won't bail once he sees us?" Josh asks while pulling into the street of our destination.

"I asked if my friends could be present and he agreed."

"Guys relaaax, there's nothing to worry about." Leah says with the snap of her compact powder.

She turns back in her seat to send me a smile. "We've got this."

I smile back and take a calming breath. She was right. With her and Josh by my side, I could handle anything.

With that thought, I square my shoulders and step out of the car.