"How was your date yesterday?"
"Boring," I replied flatly. "I even regretted accepting it in the first place."
"Oh my God, you're kidding, right?" Benita blinked in shock. "Wasn't that the date you kept ranting about all week?"
"The same one you ditched us for last night," Hannah added, raising a brow.
"Yes, I know. But things change. And honestly, I don't think I ever want to go on a date with Ray again."
They both stared at me like I'd just confessed to murder, pure disbelief written all over their faces.
"Would you be mad if I… went on a date with Ray?" Benita asked cautiously.
"You're unbelievable," Hannah snapped before I could respond. "Of all the guys out there, you want him? How do you think Silver and Ray would see you? Like some cheap whore"
"Who are you calling a whore?" Benita cut in, voice sharp. "Stop being a hypocrite. We both know you're no saint either. At least I want a new guy, not like you, still sneaking around with your ex while dating someone else. If you loved him so much, why break up in the first place?"
"You really are a bitch," Hannah hissed. "You slut."
Benita face darkened. "Call me a slut again and I'll show you how real bitches behave."
"Screw you, Hannah. That's an empty threat," Benita fired back.
"Why do I feel like you're scared?" Hannah taunted.
"Scared? Of you? Now that's a joke." Benita laughed mockingly.
I had to jump in before World War III broke out. "Alright, girls, enough. Ray can go out with whoever he wants even my friends. It's none of my business. He's in the past."
"Are you sure?" Nita asked.
I nodded. Hannah rolled her eyes, clearly not buying it.
"Thanks, baby girl! I love you!" Nita grinned and hugged me.
I laughed lightly. I couldn't really blame her. Ray was handsome. Every girl's fantasy. Honestly, I probably would've still been obsessed with him… if I hadn't met him.
As if reading my mind, Hannah suddenly asked, "So who's the new guy?"
"What new guy?" I tried to play dumb, spinning my camera around.
"Oh, please. You were crazy over Ray, not even thinking straight when he almost got you killed. And now you've dropped him just like that? There's definitely someone new."
Damn. This girl had to be part-time psychic. Why didn't she study psychology? She would've aced it.
At that moment, I knew I couldn't keep my little secret hidden any longer…
"His name is Zoah. He saved me from bandits who tried to abduct me," I said.
"Wait what?" Hannah blinked. "Why am I just hearing this now?"
"Why would anyone want to abduct a sweet soul like you?" Benita asked, clearly confused.
"I don't know. Not everyone likes me, I guess," I shrugged. "Some see me as a friend. Others... an enemy."
"And they had guns?" Benita leaned forward.
"Yeah. They were evil. Armed and ready. But then my superhero appeared, Zoah. No weapon, no backup. Just him."
"What happened?" Benita asked.
"One of the bandits pulled the trigger at him," I continued. "But Zoah wasn't harmed. Then, the same bandit pointed the gun at himself... pulled the trigger... and died on the spot."
"That's... some kind of mysterious hero you've got there," Benita murmured, wide eyed.
"Considering the bullet didn't touch him, maybe he used some kind of protection like anti bullet charm or medicine," Hannah suggested.
"I don't think so," I shook my head. "The gun looked... faulty. Or maybe something made it seem faulty. Like it wouldn't work against him."
"Or maybe it was just faulty," Benita added, always the realist.
Hannah, the superstitious one, believed in magic, power, and all things mysterious. Benita? A scientist to her bones, logic over fantasy.
"That's not all," I said. "The second bandit rushed at him with a dagger. Zoah, he defeated him effortlessly. If I hadn't stopped him, the man would be dead."
"I could see it in his eyes," I added softly. "He was holding back... barely."
"Okay, now that's believable," Benita said. "At least we know he can fight."
"He's dangerous and needs to be avoided," Hannah said sharply.
Nita rolled her eyes. "Too cautious, as always."
This time, I actually sided with Nita. "Silver," she said with a grin, "don't you think dangerous guys need innocent girls by their side?"
Much to Hannah's dismay, I nodded. Her face shifted instantly, and I knew... she had figured it out. I was falling for Zoah.
"Tell us more about your mystery man," Benita urged.
"I don't know much," I said. "But he's searching for four herbs... to save someone very dear to him."
"Who?" Benita asked.
"Her name is Violet," I replied, my voice dropping slightly.
"Violet?" Benita echoed.
"She might be his girlfriend," I said, unable to hide the sadness in my tone.
"Hmm. A man ready to risk everything for a girl he loves," Hannah said. "You should give them space."
Benita and I exchanged a knowing look.
"She's just a girlfriend, not a wife," Benita said confidently. "Silver deserves someone who can protect her."
"Zoah is off limits," Hannah warned.
"I don't think so," Benita said. "Here's the deal Silver should get close to him. Let's see who he chooses: Silver or Violet."
"This is going to be fun," I grinned.
There was no harm in trying. Right?
"Silver, you seriously aren't going to buy that idea, are you?" Hannah asked skeptically.
"It's just a harmless try. An... adventure," I said.
"Don't let Benita mislead you. Zoah is dangerous," she warned again.
"You didn't like Ray either. Now you don't like Zoah. Is there anyone you'll ever approve of?" I asked, frustrated. Why did she always disapprove of the guys I liked?
"At least she still likes her ex," Benita teased.
Hannah reached for a nearby dagger and flashed it playfully at her.
I grabbed Hannah's hand, pleadingly. "Let me try. I promise I won't get hurt."
"I hope so," she sighed.