POV: Skylar

"One, then two, one, two," I hop on one foot then two. Today is hopscotch day. I challenged myself to hopscotch on my walk home, I mean to Darleen's vacation house after I got off work.

"This one isn't so bad," Darleen does it with me.

"Kind of childish, but still fun." I hop some more.

"How was work," she skips and jumps.

"Work was work, what about you?"

"I learned the difference between black coffee and dark coffee today." She says.

"I don't think that's what your internship is about," I frown.

"Tell that to my trainer," she snorts in amusement.

"And done," I hop up to the driveway.

"High five," Darleen high-fives me.

"Another one bites the dust," I cross it off my list.

"What next for tomorrow? Make it a good one since we are both off."

"Umm... what about rock climbing?" I offer.

"Anything else?"

"Well I still have interior decoration, learning to play an instrument, and video gaming for some long activities that will probably take all day. The others are just short things I can squeeze into my schedule."

"What about planning a party?" Darleen suggests.

"Darleen," I say in my warning tone.

"Oh come on, it's your birthday Skylar, we have to do something. All you did was work all day." She pouts.

"No way, no birthday stuff. I just want to—"

"You're 21 now, the legal age to do whatever the fuck you want. Live a little."

"Rock climbing it is," I unlock the front door.

"Okay, since you refuse to celebrate your birthday, you can't be mad." She says.

"Mad?"

"Wait here," she runs inside.

"What did you do!? You know I said no gifts!" I shout after her.

"La la la, I can't hear you." She calls back.

I let out a heavy sigh.

I should have known. No way Darleen can resist spoiling her friends when she has a chance. She's been practically begging me to let her do something for me all day. I had to silence my phone because she kept texting and calling me at work.

She walks back over to me with her back to me.

"Don't be mad." She says again.

"Darleen."

"Ta-da!" she turns around. In her arms is the most adorable little Dalmatian puppy I've ever seen.

"Oh my goodness," I take the little puppy from her arms, it wags its tail happily. "Darleen, I hate you," I say in a high squeaky voice as the puppy licks my face.

She laughs.

"Hey there, aw, look at you," I hold it close.

"It's a boy, I haven't named it yet. He's all yours."

"I can't have a puppy."

"But look at his wittle face," she says.

I sigh in defeat, "Fine. I'll call him Ace."

"Ace it is." She smiles.

I kiss the puppy all over the face as it licks me excitedly.

"I think he likes you," Darleen chuckles.

"How did the cats take it?" I walk into the house.

"Err... okay?" she closes the door behind me.

"They hate him don't they," I sigh.

"Well, the Countess went into a hissing frenzy before hiding on top of the shelf in the room. Cloud just keeps his distance."

"Well, it's a start," I set Ace down. "Come on, come on, come here you little stinker," I run to the room.

The puppy barks happily and chases me.

"How about teaching a dog to play fetch? We can do that tomorrow?" Darleen walks after me.

"Deal, this wittle guy needs to go to the park. Isn't that right, yes you do."

He yelps and jumps around all excited.

I hear The Countess growl from the shelf.

"Be nice," I chastise her.

She glares at me in betrayal.

Cloud is hiding somewhere.

"I got him all his stuff too." Darleen shows me the supplies by my bed.

I dig around and pull out a bright red collar, it has his shot tags on it. I need to get one with his name. I clip it around his neck.

"When did you get him?" I ask.

"I got off work early and swung by this Dalmatian rescue center, he was the last puppy. Couldn't resist."

"You should have brought him with you when you met me at my job, we could have walked him." I pout.

"I walked him just before going to meet you." She says.

I had to walk today because it turns out little pathetic cars like mine are not meant for mudding. It got stuck in the mud and flooded the inside a little bit, Darleen is taking care of it for me though. Since it was technically her fault, I did say we needed to get a rental.

I get changed out of my work clothes and into something more comfortable then Darleen helps me set up his bowls in the kitchen and we have decided tomorrow's activity will be to install a doggy door on the back door. Which I think will totally ruin that nice expensive-looking door, but she said it would be fine. Her family is going to hate me even more.

"Let's order in and watch a movie or something," Darleen suggests.

"Okay," I say without turning to her as I set up Ace's bed.

My phone ringing draws my attention.

I grab it, Jade.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Didn't think I'd go all day without telling you happy birthday did you?" she says.

"Thank you, I appreciate it. How are you?" I ask.

"I'm... okay. Still getting settled in. My aunt came to help out. And now she won't leave!" Jade yells the last part.

"Hush it!" I hear her aunt call back.

I can't help but laugh.

"Anyway, how was your day?"

"Work, guess what?"

"What?"

"Darleen got me a freaking dog," I giggle.

"What!? What kind of dog?"

"Dalmatian."

"Aw, I want to see, send me pics." She pouts.

"K, his name is Ace." I snap a quick pic of him chewing on his toy and send it to Jade.

"Aw! Oh my goodness, he's adorable. Look, Aunty." Jade says.

"Awe, how cute." Her aunt says. "Happy birthday Skylar."

"Thank you," I giggle.

"So who's all told you a happy birthday today, besides Darleen?" Jade asks.

"Well, my sister called me at midnight, like the butt she is. My mom called me this morning. My coach and teammates texted me and sent me flowers at work. My coworkers bought me lunch, that's pretty much it." I say.

"No birthday dinner?"

"Nah, I don't want to. It's not the same without... well you know." I lean against the wall.

"Me?"

"Emm."

"Is it because no one drops it low like I do?"

"What!?" I laugh.

She laughs too.

"Jade you're something else." I shake my head.

"Don't you ever forget it," She teases.

I smile.

The line is silent for a while.

"Well, I guess I should leave you to your new pup." She finally says.

"Yeah..."

"Love you." She says.

My chest tightens.

"Love you too," I say.

The line is silent again.

"Bye, have a great night."

"You too, whatever time it is in Canada."

She laughs.

"Bye Jade."

"Bye Sky," she finally hangs up.

I take a shaky breath and close my eyes.

"You okay?" Darleen comes up next to me.

"I don't know," I say honestly.

She rubs my arm for comfort.

I open my eyes and turn my head to look at Darleen, she looks on at me in worry. I rest my head on her shoulder. I'm glad I have Darleen here right now, otherwise, I'm sure I'd be a sobbing mess by now.

"Come on, don't be sad," Darleen pokes me. "It's your birthday."

"So people keep reminding me."

"Here," she picks me up and flings me over her shoulder.

"Ah! You beast! Put me down!" I laugh as she carries me to the couch in the tv room.

The doorbell rings.

"Oop detour time."

"Darleen!" I laugh as we turn to get the door.

Ace chases us.

Darleen opens the door to Vida standing there looking all cute with flowers.

"Uh..."

"Darleen!" I pout.

"Only if you say please."

"Please!"

She laughs and sets me down.

"You beast," I whack her in the stomach.

"Guilty as charged wifey." She giggles.

"Go wait in the room," I push her away.

She pouts but gives me some privacy.

"Hey," I fix my hair and turn back to Vida.

"Hi." She says in annoyance.

"Are you still mad at me?" I ask.

"Happy birthday," she shoves the flowers in my hand.

"Wait," I stop her from leaving. "I'm sorry, okay? You were right, I'm still not over Jade. I just need more time."

She sighs and turns back to me.

"I'm sorry I was a stupid jerk, please forgive me?" I pout.

"Why do you have to be so freaking cute," she shakes me by the shoulders.

I giggle.

"Girl you are my kryptonite." She sighs.

"Look, Darleen got me a new friend." I pick up Ace and show her.

"Aw! Oh my fucking god, he's so cute! I love him, I'm stealing him." She holds him close.

"Hey!" I laugh.

"Mine now," she turns away.

"Vida," I pout.

She giggles.

"Well I'll leave you to your rich best friend," she says with a bite.

"You off today?"

"Yeah."

"Then come in, Darleen doesn't hate you. Swear. She's nice."

"Too nice," she grumbles.

"Vida."

"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you." She comes inside.

"Just play nice," I pinch her.

We walk over to the tv lounge and set Ace down.

"Got room for one more?" I ask Darleen.

She turns and eyes Vida, an unreadable expression on her face.

"Sure," she forces a smile.

Vida gives me a knowing look.

I force a nervous smile.

No way Darleen hates Vida, right? Darleen's like the nicest person I know. Why would Darleen hate Vida when she hardly knows the girl? Vida is seeing things.

"Okay, so what are we watching?" I plop on the couch.

"It's your birthday, you pick," Darleen scoots really close to me, handing me the remote.

Vida eyes her seating options.

"Move over you beast," I push Darleen. "Vida needs a seat."

"She can sit on the recliner," Darleen says under her breath.

Okay, so maybe Vida isn't seeing things after all.

Darleen moves to the recliner and Vida smiles, sitting next to me.

"Okay, so let's just pick random." I cuddle up next to Vida.

Vida wraps her arm around me.

I blush.

I hear Darleen sigh loudly.

It's going to bother me now. Why would Darleen hate Vida? Did the two of them fight when I wasn't there or something? Maybe when I was asleep? Ugh.

"Look can we just clear the air? I don't know what I did to offend you but I'm sorry, okay? Can we just start over?" Vida says to Darleen.

I turn to Darleen.

"Sure, whatever, I don't hate you," Darleen says without looking at her.

I frown.

Vida gives me a look that says she is unamused.

"Are you mad?" I ask Darleen.

"I'm not mad," she says, still not turning to me.

"Sounds like you're mad." I point out.

"I just thought it was only going to be us."

"Oh," I say.

"I knew it, see you later Skylar. Someone has issues." Vida rolls her eyes and gets up.

"No Vida wait," I get up too.

"It's fine, I can take a hint. Maybe you and I can do something tomorrow? Lunch? You off tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I was going to install a doggy door for Ace tomorrow."

"OH! That sounds like fun, I can help. We can make it look all fancy and cute and—"

Darleen sighs again.

Vida frowns at her.

"Or not. I'll text you." Vida says to me.

"Vida," I chase after her.

"I told you she has a problem with me." Vida shakes her head.

"Vida wait, I'm sorry. I'll talk to her."

"No use, she'll be gone in two or so weeks and we can go back to just us." She says.

"Vida."

"Night Skylar," she pecks me on the lips.

I pout as she shuts the door.

I turn to see Darleen leaning in the hallway.

"What was that?" I demand.

She shrugs.

"Darleen! How rude," I pout.

"Why are you even friends with her?" Darleen doesn't meet my eyes.

"What? Look I don't know what's going on, but I would appreciate it if you and Vida got along. She's my friend, my best friend, and eventually, she'll be my girlfriend. Why don't you like her?" I walk over to her.

"I never said I don't like her."

"Your body posture, facial features, and tone say otherwise." I cross my arms.

"I just think you can do better than her. She's just some low-life bartender and you're you. You are leagues above her, Skylar."

I take a step back. That actually hurt. Darleen just insulted me. I scrunch my brows together in confusion. Why would she say something like that? Since when does Darleen care about social status?

"Skylar," she must read my face because she reaches to comfort me.

I jerk back.

"Skylar don't get mad, it's the truth."

"I really like her, and what you just said is so mean and rude. It shouldn't matter if you come from money or not. I thought you of all people understood that." I push past her and stomp to my room.

"Skylar wait, I'm sorry. That came out wrong." She chases me.

"I'm disappointed in you Darleen." I shake my head.

"I didn't mean it like that, I just think you two aren't compatible."

"Who I like romantically is none of your concern." I whirl around to face her.

She jolts back.

"I thought you were my friend," I say hurt that she thinks that.

She looks at me sadly, unable to say anything in her defense. I sigh and shake my head again before going to my room, Ace waddles in right behind me. I shut the door on Darleen. I hear her sigh and bang her head against the door.

Darleen's so nice all the time that sometimes I forget she can be a snobby rich brat