Namesakes and minions

"She wants to talk to him. Isn't she taking this what-would-Jesus-do stuff too seriously?"

"It's her choice, Aaron."

He leans back on his headboard.

"It could be too traumatic. She might destroy every progress she makes with her therapist if she goes to him right after."

"It's her choice."

"Hey, I'm just saying. I mean‐"

"It's her fucking choice! Now tell me how we're going to find the bastard and go on with our plan."

"Impatient much." He grumbles under his breath. "You'll ask her what he looks like of course."

"You must be joking. You were just going on about everything being traumatic for her and you're suggesting this?"

"I never said it would be easy. Look, there's no way she'd be able to forget the face of her rapist. We can cash in on that."

"Don't be insensitive, you fucking bastard."

He frowns and leans away from his headboard.

"I am not trying to downplay her suffering here. All I'm saying is, we need information and Thomas is useless. The only other witness was Faye. I didn't say you should shake her up and ask her what he looks like. Just see how comfortable she might be talking about her experience and we would know where to start."

"But she's in so much pain."

"I know okay? I know she feels helpless and hurt and just fucking lost. Which is why we're going to find this man. Even if it is just for her. She needs justice, Tequila."

His tacky watch catches my eye and I decide to change the subject. Heavy convo is not something I'm ready to deal with right now.

"I got you that watch. I thought you threw it away."

He looks down and smiles, fumbling with it.

"I did. I only recently found it. Found our friendship bracelet too."

"Ah, I don't have that. I think I threw mine in the dump truck."

Expecting him to get upset, I try to douse the situation.

"I was really mad then. I wanted to keep it but I wanted to hurt you too and I knew you would hate it if I lost it."

He chuckles. "I don't need a friendship bracelet to tell me what you mean to me. You were the one who even suggested it in the first place."

"Yeah, but you got so mad when I lost it in the eight grade."

"That was because I was jealous. You lost my friendship bracelet but you still managed to hold on to Georgette's. I wanted to strangle her with the bracelet so bad."

A surprised laugh leaves me.

"What the heck?"

"She probably sensed my murderous intent because she kept out of my way all day and was the most dedicated in finding the bracelet."

I shake my head at the recollection.

"She kept on looking over her shoulders then. I believe she was mumbling something about a psychotic best friend. I didn't know she meant you. I thought the heat had gotten to her."

He crawls over and pins my hips to the bed.

"Why did you cut your hair, anyway? I was obsessed with that wild mane."

"You called me Apeman Rapunzel whenever I didn't brush it and you always had me sit on the stairs so you could step on it." I say with a little heat, remembering all the times I went home with a headache because of Aaron.

The idiot would sweet talk me into letting my hair loose and 'mistakenly' step on it.

He guffaws and nips my right ear.

"I couldn't help it. Your hair was so freakishly long and you always fell for the 'be proud of your hair and let it loose' trick. You were so gullible."

I swat at the hand that he tried to subtly slip into my top and he pouts.

"Not so gullible now, am I?"

"You're no fun. You know, anyone else would take this deal as a lifetime opportunity. This,"

He sweeps a hand over his torso.

"is yours. All yours. Don't you want to explore or I don't know, fuck me?"

"I want to see results first so I know you're not just going to get into my pants and escape paying the fine for an unfinished dare."

"I shouldn't have told you about the dare. There's a soiree at The Yatch tomorrow. Come as my date."

"Yes master." I drone and make to get up when he pins me down again.

"If this relationship has a master, you're it. I'm a simp for you, Tequila."

"Perfect! Now go make me a pancake. I'll call you my minion from now henceforth."

His eyes flash but he lets it go.

"Only you, Tequila. Only you."

~•●•~

A woman in an all black ensemble walks past me and swiftly retraces her steps.

"Hey, you're Tequila Wilson aren't you?"

"Hi. Yes I am. You are?"

"I'm Arcelia Eduardo. I'm a journalist and a The Author writer."

"Oh wow, Arcelia is my middle name. Nice to meet you."

"Really? That's dope! Nice to meet you too. I have heard a lot about you. I'm actually a fan of your work. Your win against Gilmore Girls High was epic."

"Awwwn, thank you! I'll be sure to check your work and do better on the court."

"Alright then. My pen name on 'TA' is MyLolita."

She sweeps past me and heads into the building just as Faye walks out.

Strange. She uses both my and Lolita's names.

"Hey, Faye. How was the session?"

"Exhausting but helpful. Was it my eyes, or did Arcelia Eduardo just walk past me?"

I glance back at the empty entrance as I unlock my car, grateful that Blob is done with it.

"Yeah. You know her?"

She gives me a wide-eyed look as she buckles her seat belt.

"You don't know her? She is the journalist everyone loves and hates. She digs deep into everything! She has her own show! Don't you watch County Talk Daily?"

"First, I don't watch County Talk Daily. I thought it was a gossip channel. Second, did I just meet a famous person and not ask for an autograph?"

"Apparently, you did."

"She did say she's a fan of my work though."

"What work?"

"Basketball."

"Ah. That's really cool. So, do you know Thomas's address or..."

"Please tell me where he stays. I only know the address of six people give or take, including mine."

"It's just uptown really. Two houses from Aaron's."

At the mention of Aaron, I freeze.

Something happened after he made me pancakes yesterday and I am dreading seeing him for the Soiree.

Stupid chemistry doesn't care if the parties involved in a twisted relationship are enemies.

"Tequila. Earth to Tequila."

"Oh hey. Sorry, you were saying?"

"I was asking when you were going to start the car. So we could, you know, get going."

"Oh hush." I chide with a laugh at her smug smirk.

"I can bet five bucks you were thinking about Aaron. You two have been smitten with each other since your womb escape. It's still sad to know you've not dated even once."

"We're just not meant for each other. We didn't even work out as friends."

"That's cause you're not supposed to be just friends. You'll both figure it out."

I don't say anything until we stop at a red light on Aaron's street.

"Anything new happening with you?"

"Uncle Samson was telling me I need to see some lawyers. I'm turning eighteen next monday and they want to talk about the will my parents left me. I feel like it's too sudden. I'm not even over the fact that they're gone yet."

I place a hand over hers with a sad smile.

"I don't know what it feels like. Any of what you're going through. But believe me when I say I understand. Not as much as someone who has gone through everything you've gone through, but as a friend. I understand, and I swear you're doing great. Better than I would've done."

"Thank you, Tequila." She gives my hand a squeeze before I place it back on the steering wheel.

I immediately spot Thomas in front of a huge Victorian house and feel Faye stiffen in her seat.

"We can drive off."

She shakes her head. "No. I'll face him today. Will you be in the car?"

"Yes. For today, incase you need me."

She smiles and waves at Thomas the moment he spots us.

Even from far, I notice his pallor and smirk.

My fingers fly over my screen as I type in the death threat I should've sent since.

He fishes his phone from his pocket and reads my message. He gives me a nervous smile I don't return before turning to Faye's sandals, unable to meet her eyes.

"You actually did it. Brought her to the jaws of the devil. Did you at least get any information on the man?"

I groan and pound my head on my wheel.

"Why are you everywhere?" I glare at the intruder who laughs and joins me in the car.

"Because I'm your minion, Mistress. Also because we have a Soiree to attend in four hours."