~Lola~
At 15, Dante and I were sleeping in the same bed when I got up and noticed the bed had a bloodstain. I screamed, not knowing what to do. I was also embarrassed, as Dante had to see that, but she just smiled, brushed his hair back, and kiss my forehead.
"My bunny has turned into a Flemish giant rabbit." I didn’t understand what he meant. He then pressed his lips on my forehead again and asked me to shower. When I came out, he had already changed bedsheets and was lying on the bed watching YouTube videos on how to put on a sanitary pad. I got flushed as I saw how serious he was with so much concentration.
"Bunny, bring your panties?"
"What?"
"Bunny, I don’t have the whole day. You know, I have to go to work, and I need to drop you off at school." I didn’t urge him. I gave him the panties, and one of the house helpers walked in with sanitary pads. He was looking at the video and teaching me how to put it on a pad. I was so embarrassed. I mean, this was my Prince Charming, and he had to see the most embarrassing moment of my life and teach me how to use a sanitary pad.
Damn Lola, you will never be his!
I watched as he carefully taught me with so much patience and care. He looked at me and placed two more pads in my school bag. "Now, go wear that." I batted my eyelashes at him, not knowing what he was talking about. He then sighed, "Bunny, when a woman reaches a certain age, she starts to see her period, and it will last for about 4–7 days since it's your first time seeing your period. You will use the pads so that no one will know you are on your period. Goddammit, Bunny! Don’t they teach you this at school already?" Realization hit him. "Bunny, you’ve been skipping life orientation classes." I didn’t say anything. Instead, I took the panties he had prepared for me and dashed inside the bathroom. "Bunny, you are not going hiking this weekend! And I’m coming to your school tomorrow!" He yelled, and I knew he meant it. Dante is very strict. I heard the door to the other bathroom being closed. I knew he was going to shower.
A year later
Prom Night
It was the happiest day of my life. I had already planned for everything, though I didn’t know the type of dress and shoes I would be wearing for my prom. Dante bought everything for me and told me he would deliver everything when the time was right. How I wish Dante was in high school with me. He could have been my date. But Dante was the CEO of a multibillion-dollar company. So my date was Hudson. He didn’t have a date, and I didn’t have a date, so we paired. Everything was going according to plan. I have been counting the days to prom since I heard there would be one. I heard a car honking outside. I knew it was Dante. He told me he wanted to take me to a salon. I ran outside and went inside his car, but then I noticed how he was eyeing my butt. I looked at him, but I couldn’t see anything on his face. He was wearing some sunglasses. He handed me a pair of sunglasses to wear, and he cleared his throat.
"You shouldn’t wear something like that next time." He fixed his tie as though his throat was dry, then he drove. I was still staring at my outfit, wondering what was wrong with it. We got to the salon, and the stylist was busy styling my hair while Dante waited. Dante was... Am I allowed to say such words at my age? Well, he was a Greek god. He was hot, very hot, and wow, the man was sculpted on a Sunday morning. He was perfect in every way. Dante hit the gym regularly, and damn, the man was a temptation. But of course, he will never look at me the way I want him to. The lady was done with my hair, and he drove me to another location where I was introduced to my prom dress. I was in awe. The dress, the shoes, the accessories, My eyes were wide open, and I turned to look at Dante. He was smiling. His smile was enough to make my heart skip six beats at once. I wore the dress and went to prom, and guess what? My date didn’t show up. So I didn’t get to dance, though I enjoyed myself. But I felt like crying.
Later that night, around 7 PM, I received a call from Dante to come outside. I wanted to cry in his embrace, but I chose not to cry because he was going to call me a crybaby. To my surprise, the car wasn’t heading home. It was even headed outside of NYC. I didn’t say anything, but he knew me and probably knew I wasn’t okay. But then he spoke.
"So, any plans for what you’re going to do after today?" I nodded my head. He looked at me and then drove to a large, tall European-style hotel with a hint of Italy. I raised my head to look up at the hotel’s name.
"No, you didn’t!" He looked at me and smiled. He picked me up in bridal style.
"Your prom night starts now, Bunny." I giggled. It was as though he knew I so much wanted to dance. We walked to the top of the hotel, it was well-decorated with people playing music, and he immediately took me to the center, where I had my unexpected prom date and danced with my best friend, Dante Monroe. We danced and watched the stars. It was as though the stars were near us. Dante then put a necklace on my neck.
"Bunny, no matter what, never take this necklace off. I bought it long ago with my first pay as the CEO of my family company. I used my whole salary to get you this. I was patiently waiting for your prom night to give you this as a gift to your now new journey to varsity and to a whole new you, my rabbit. " I giggled and hugged him. I pulled back and stared deeply into his eyes. I was dangerously close to expressing my feelings for him, but then my throat ran dry. It felt like a flutter of butterflies exploded in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t have the courage at all. I was in a lot of thunderstorms of emotions. I was a coward. But then he looked deep into my eyes too and asked, "Bunny, are you okay?" I instantly came back to reality: I was a 16-year-old girl, and he was a 23-year-old man. We are different. He has been running his company for years before he even finished university. His mindset is also different.
Why am I even thinking about his position again?
~Lola~"He claims that he ditched me because I am dating Dante. It’s not as if he didn’t know I was with Dante, to be honest."She took a sip of her wine. I didn’t dare look her in the eyes. This is the subject we discuss each week. She is perpetually dumped. I simply do not grasp what she wants. She has a guy who would give his right arm to possess her. In addition, he is my childhood crush as well as my best friend. Yes, they are both my friends, and they both cheat on one another, while I am simply me. There is always someone nearby who is willing to listen to their grievances, and that person has always been me. Yes, I am one call away if something happens. I sipped my wine and sat back without responding to her."Lola, you bitch, did you hear what I said?" I let out a sigh.."You’ve been dumped. This week, how many times have you been dumped?" Both of us laughed."Sneak a peek at me, will you? Why would a man dare to oppose me? Do you believe I should approach him and beg him? I
~Candice~ I was watching Dante and Lola get married while with my Asian boyfriend. I couldn’t give a damn. Lola is always there to save the day. As is customary, she saved the day again today. I occasionally feel sorry for her because she is constantly bringing joy to others. I admire her for her selflessness. She has never been in a relationship. I despise admitting it, but their kiss nearly compelled me to dig my claws into my flesh. Dante is entirely mine, and Lola will always protect me. I locked my gaze on my guy. I could tell he had concluded that I was not dating Dante. He is not comparable to Dante’s Damnation. Dante is a sex god. I’m simply not accustomed to sleeping with a single man. I can get away with anything with Lola by my side. ~Dante~ I’m completely baffled by what's going on. Candice appeared to be interested in becoming my wife. However, she failed to appear at the wedding. Candice has never attended a single event with me. It’s always been Lola who saves the da
~DANTE~ I shifted into the hospital bed in order to get a better view of the girl beside me. The girl I had recently turned into a woman. She was eerily silent. We have never been deafeningly silent or run out of things to say to one another. This is quite uncomfortable. Since she was admitted, we have been sleeping in this hospital bed. No other woman has ever given me a cold shoulder as Lola has. Is she upset because I stole her innocence and damaged her vCard? I’m desperate for her to say something. Considering what we just did, Candice doesn’t deserve what we did. I was drunk, but I knew what I had done, and I wanted to do it again. I wasn’t under the influence of alcohol, and I wouldn’t claim that I was under the influence of alcohol. I was aware of what I was doing. I never imagined that I would come close to crossing the boundary. Another minute passed in utter silence on the hospital bed. She straightened her clothing and entered the bathroom. Her skin appeared to be immacula
~Lola~I was standing and staring out the window of my bedroom. I’m considering the future. I’m thinking of the ordeals I’ve endured to get to this point. What a life I’d have to start tomorrow! I was cursing my own carelessness. I was well aware that this would be a hole I would have to dig deep into. I was aware that Dante was a no-go area, but I went anyway. For the past three months, I have pretended to be okay. Having to do this all alone hurts. It’s so painful that I’m unable to speak to a single soul about it. Why did this happen to me? As I sighed and attempted to get myself together, I began folding my clothes. I am confident that I have everything under control. I know I’ve done a lot for my future and the future of my children. I rub my tummy. I’ve been concealing my pregnancy since the day I discovered it. I am unable to inform Dante. I’ve already been behaving strangely. To God’s credit, he hasn’t observed anything. He is a friend of mine, but he is also in love with one
~DANTE~ "I intended to invite you to lunch, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to do so alone now. Given that you’ve eaten, I’ll see you at work on Monday. I had to return home at this point. My mother is ill." Candice stated. "All right, babe, take care of yourself." I sat on my couch, unsure of why I was experiencing this emotion. I’m meant to be overjoyed that I’m divorced. What is it about it that feels wrong? I know I’ve always loved my best friend and will continue to do so even more than I adore my own girlfriend. I exercised self-control for a long period of time. After sleeping with her three months ago, I occasionally slept with Candice but frequently shouted her name in my brain. Should I advise her not to file for divorce in order for us to begin a family together? Would she appreciate that? I can tell by the way she looks at me. I’m sure she has feelings for me as well. I’m not sure if this is love or simply friendship. I believe I need to speak with my mother. She provid
~Dante~My mom has never seen me cry in my 32 years of existence. Firstly, I’m not sure if I’m crying for my closest friend because I loved her but couldn’t express it or because of what she did to me last night. How can she fuck me like that and leave me? What was the reason for her departure? Is it out of fear that we will continue to cross the line? Why didn’t she tell me she wanted to leave before she did? What exactly is going on? Where should I begin my search for her? Until now, I thought we were best friends. She resigned without informing me, and she sold her house without even informing me. What exactly is going on here, Lolita?"Dante." My mother’s eyes met mine as I raised my head."I love you so much, son, but I’m afraid I’ll have to cut all ties with you this time. You will understand why I’m doing this when you locate Lola. From this point on son, stop coming here until you return, my daughter. This is entirely your fault and entirely your outright lies.""Mother, what
~Lola~As the train pulled away from NYC, heading to Ozark, I thought of the opportunities I had to express how I felt for Dante, but I couldn’t. The prom night, our dinner dates, on my 18th birthday, but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. I’ve been told that no matter what, a girl shouldn't be too desperate. His mom told me I should never tell him. He would have to realize his feelings for me himself. Sadly, it took years, and I'm still counting. I chuckled because it never happened; it was all in my head. Dante and Lola's story was all in my head, and this is our goodbye. Sadly, our story ends today. The story that was never there—perhaps it was all in my head— There is no Dante and Lola going forward as there was never Dante and Lola even before. I will miss him. Dante was just a natural. I loved everything about him. It was so easy to talk to him; he was a great listener, and he laughed at my silly jokes. I have never once looked at any other man the way I looked at Dante. His smile, hi
~Dante~ I had so many opportunities to tell Lola how I felt. I wasn’t brave like the 16-year-old me. When I told her I’d be her Prince Charming and she’d be my princess when she reached the age of consent, I meant it. She kept the promise and valued the promise. She never complained when she saw me with my latest flings. She was there for me, hurting and wishing I would one day remember our promise. It’s not like I didn’t remember the promise. I couldn’t tell her how I felt. I just couldn’t. I had a reason to leave work early because I had someone waiting for me. She was there to celebrate every achievement with me. She was my rock. If only I had been bold enough, she couldn’t have left. If only I had told her how I felt on her prom night. If only I had come clean on our dinner date. I was so stupid. I would take her on dinner dates, wanting to tell her I loved her, but those three words wouldn’t come out. I wasted time, and the ifs don’t matter now because I lost her. I lost my smile