Chapter 3 I kissed a guy.

The two friends giggled in the room Ava was given to stay in San Francisco. Ava had arrived two nights ago.

"Mark doesn't like the meal," Maya told her friend. "He says it burns his tongue."

"Right?" Ava asked, laughing. "He says it burns his tongue," Ava mimicked her friend.

"What are you ladies discussing with your voices so low?" Mark walked into their discussion.

"I know I stay in your house, Mark," Ava said, looking up to see his face.

"Whatcha mean, Avv?"

"When going into a lady's room next time, knock!" She emphasised, smiling.

"Ohhhh!" Mark said, his hand on his forehead. "I'm sorry."

"Nah." Ava said, laughing. "It's nothing so serious."

"So..." The Young man said, sitting on the bed to join in the conversation.

"What are you trying to do?" Maya asked, shifting from her position to look at him.

"Join my ladies, ofcourse." He answered. "What else?"

"Don't you have anything to do?" Maya asked again.

"No." He answered, shaking his head in disapproval. "Unless you want me to perform my wedding rites, baby."

"Mark!" Maya exclaimed, looking at Ava's face.

".....I didn't hear a thing," Ava said, her fingers in her ears. "Trust me."

Laughing at the reaction, Mark got up on his feet again. "I'd just leave you two to yourself."

"Bye!" Maya said, shifting forward from the bed to receive his kiss. "Love you, baby."

"Don't hit my baby's head on the wall, Ava Smith," Mark said when he got to the door.

"Okay, Dad." Ava said, waving at him before he left the room.

"What a guy!" Ava said again, laughing when he was ear shot at their conversation.

"You've seen what I'm seeing," Maya said, touching her elbow. "Mark can be so... " She said again, not finishing her comment.

"Marriage ain't for the weak, Maya Adams."

"I know. But what do I do?"

"Be strong, it's only the beginning."

"Yeah," Maya said, throwing a pillow at her friend.

"What do we do with you since you've finally arrived, girl?" Maya asked.

"Cook me," Ava answered, "eat me, too."

"Nah!" The two friends laughed, stopping the moment they heard a sound at the main door. Someone rang the house bell.

"Mark just left," Maya said. "I don't know why he loves the bell."

Ava chuckled at the comment, laying on the bed. "I do the same with my house bell too, friend."

"Whatever." Maya said, laying on the bed as well.

"We'd visit Park steak before you leave for Los Angeles," Maya said.

"Isn't that cute?" Ava said, turning to look at her friend.

"It's a treat from me to you," Maya said. "Since you won't be visiting San Francisco again."

"I will," Ava corrected. "I just hope it doesn't affect my schedule."

"Hopefully," Maya commented, turning at the sound of a device.

"My phone," She said, reaching for the device on the bed where she lay. "It's a text."

"From who, Ava Smith?" Maya teased.

"Don't start!"

"Speaking of starting. When are you getting married?"

"Maya?" Ava called, irritated at the question.

"You sure know I'm not backing out of this conversation until I'm satisfied with every bit of it," Maya said, winking. "I'm not Lucas."

"What do you want me to tell you?" Ava asked, resting her head again on the mattress.

"Why are you not married, girl?" Maya asked.

"I don't have a boyfriend yet!" Ava answered.

"Why don't you have any?" Maya persisted.

"You sure know about my last relationship," Ava spat. "Why do you keep disturbing me?"

"I want a godchild," Maya answered.

Looking at the face of her friend, the two burst out laughing. "What?" Ava asked again.

"I want a godchild." Maya repeated, smiling.

"Who should get a godchild first, Mrs. Adams?"

"I don't know," Maya answered, laughing.

Silence...

Silence...

"I met this guy at the wedding," Ava started after the silence.

"My wedding?" Maya asked, sitting up to listen to every detail.

"No, mine."

"C'mom," Maya said, laughing. "Tell me about it."

"I kissed a guy," Ava said, as though it was a joke.

"You what?" Maya asked, her facial expressions displaying shock.

"Yeah," Ava said, sitting up on the bed. "It happened so fast."

"Okay," Maya said, looking at her, she sat up on the bed too.

"How did it happen?" Maya requested.

"I needed to go away from the scene where Maxwell showed up."

"Okay?"

"I went to use the bathroom," She stated again.

"Okay?" Maya said, impatient.

"That's all, Maya," Ava said, laughing. "It was impromptu."

"Impromptu!" Maya repeated, hitting the bed. "Who is the guy?"

"I don't know," Ava answered, innocently.

"She kissed a stranger!" Maya said, rolling her eyes. "How intriguing."

"It was impromptu, Maya."

"I know, I know!" Maya chipped in, asking again, "You don't remember what he looks like?"

"Tall," Ava said after moments, looking into the atmosphere. "He's quite tall."

"How handsome?" Maya asked again.

"He's okay," Ava admitted.

"You don't remember his costume?" Maya asked again.

"Nah." Ava said, her eyes closed. "Pants."

*What guy wears a skirt, Ava?" Maya joked.

"I'm trying my best to remember!" Ava spat, her eyes still closed.

"Sorry, Miss."

"I think he wore a hoodie."

"You don't say!" Maya screamed, hitting the bed again.

"I say!" Ava responded, looking at her friend. "Do you know him?"

"That's Mason!" Maya answered. "I remember complimenting his hoodie when we took a picture together."

"Oh, shit!" Ava uttered.

"You kissed Mason!" Maya screamed, excitedly. "I can't believe this."

"Shhh!" Ava cautioned.

"What?"

"This information was only meant for you, not the whole of San Francisco."

"C'mon, girl!" Maya said, laughing. "Did you exchange contacts?"

"What? Who?"

"You, Mason."

"Fuck no!" Ava answered. "I ran off the next minute."

"You did?" The surprised lady asked her friend. "What's wrong with you?"

"Yeah!" Ava answered, ignoring the second question. "We didn't get to see each other again. I was literally avoiding eye contact with everybody."

Maya laughed. Ava joined in laughing.

"Mason Johnson," Maya stated. "That's his name."

"I see."

"Jack's closest friend."

"How close?" Ava asked.

"Very close!" Maya answered, her face hiding her smile.

"Are you gonna laugh at me, Mrs. Adams?"

"No!" Maya answered, laughing. "I'm sorry."

"You are."

"He lives here in San Francisco."

"I don't really care," Ava replied, getting hold of her phone.

"Are you sure you don't?" Maya asked, a smile spreading on her thin lips.

"Yes."

"What if he's living in Los Angeles?"

"Well...he's not living in Los Angeles, baby."

"He will," Maya said.

"What?" Ava asked, letting go of her phone. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing."

"C'mom, spill!"

After laughing for a moment, Maya started again. "I don't really know. But, Jack talked about Mason moving to Angeles."

"What for?" Ava asked, worried.

"I don't know," She answered. "But, he'd still have his house in San Francisco."

"Good of him," Ava said, relaxing again. "Because, I'd chase him out of Los Angeles."

"Ohhhh, yeah?" Maya laughed.

"Ohhhh, yeah."

"Well......he needs his apartment in San Francisco. It's a place where he holds meetings with his girlfriend."

"His girlfriend?" Ava asked, surprised.

"Yeah, shocked?"

"No, yes!" Ava spat. "Why would he kiss me, then?"

"I was at the reception, Maya. I don't know."

"Who is she?" Ava asked.

"Who is who?"

"His girlfriend!" Ava screamed, causing a giggle from Maya.

"Alicia Garcia."

"Alicia Garcia" Ava repeated. "Sounds familiar."

"An actress," Maya helped. "San Francisco film industry."

"Yeah!" Ava said, hitting the bed. "Big status."

"I know, baby," Maya said. "So?"

"So?"

"So, what's going to happen?" Maya asked, hitting the bed.

"Nothing."

"What do you mean 'nothing'?"

"What's going to happen, Maya?" Ava asked. "I'd walk up to him and remind him we shared a kiss?"

"I'm sorry," Maya said,

"Look, he has a girlfriend. Okay?" Ava said, bringing down her nerves. "It was just a kiss. It's not like I'm in love with him."

"What if he shows up asking for your number?"

"Show up," Ava thought. "In my dreams?"

"At my house," Maya answered. "He's friends with Jack and they could come here together anytime, remember?"

"Tell him you don't know me, Maya."

"Are you kidding?"

"No, I'm not."

"Everyone with a good brain will recognize you, so long they were present at the wedding."

"Why?"

"Because you were the chief maid of honour. That's why."

"Man!" Ava uttered, soothing her temple. "I think I'm hungry."

"You're running away from this conversation, Ava."

"Nah."

"Fine," Maya said, standing on her feet.

"Mrs. Adams?"

"Yes?"

"If I ever get to hear this from someone outside, Maya." Ava said, her index finger pointed at her.

"..... including my family members."

"I'd kill you!" She said, emphasising on the 'kill' with her hands.

Maya laughed. "You're safe."

"You're safer. I'm hungry."

"Go to the kitchen," Maya said, walking to the door.

"Where are you going?"

"My room, to sleep."

"Really!" Ava screamed. "Aren't you going to get me food to eat?"

"You're not a stranger in this house anymore, Avv." Maya said, opening the door to walk away.

"Love you." She said and she was gone.

.

.

Later, that evening, the trio: Mark, his wife and Ava went out for a walk.

"Do you do this everyday?" Ava asked the couple.

"Yes," Mark answered on their behalf. "Ever since you called Maya fat."

The three laughed at first, Maya hitting Mark's shoulder.

"Ouch!" He moaned. "Did you see that?"

"Sorry, honey," Ava said, hitting Maya slightly on her shoulder.

"Don't try that again," She whispered, soothing her shoulders at the same time.

"You haven't been called for the interview yet," Mark started, while they changed directions.

"Nah," She answered. "I don't expect their call anymore."

"Why not?"

"It's been over a month since I applied for a job at the organisation."

"So?"

"So, I'm tired of waiting!"

"Yeah," Mark said, stopping to catch his breath. "I get that."

"Yeah." Ava said, and they walked into the apartment again.

-

Park Steak:

"The food was nice," Ava said, bringing out her gloss from her purse.

"I know, yeah," Maya smiled. "You like?"

"Really?" Ava laughed. "I love it."

"I'm glad you do," Maya said, and they sat some more at the restaurant.

"I seem to recognize that figure," Maya whispered, looking at the entrance.

Ava turned to see for herself, uttering expletives, "the bastard!"

"C'mom, Ava!" Maya cautioned.

"He's coming close," Ava said, her teeth clenched so that only Maya could hear her.

"I know." Maya said, in the same manner.

"Hello." Maxwell greeted, smiling at the ladies.

"Hi." Maya greeted first.

"Maxwell." Ava called, smiling back at him.

"May I join you, ladies?" He asked, still standing.

"Yeah." Maya answered before Ava said something.

"Thank you," He greeted, sitting on the last chair at the table. "Are you both on a date?"

Maya laughed. Ava didn't.

"Well, I'm treating Ava well before she returns to Los."

"Right?" He smiled, turning to see Ava's face.

She faked a smile.

"When are you returning?" He asked.

"Tomorrow evening," She answered, her gaze on the table.

"Ohhhh," He commented. "That's okay."

"Yeah."

"I'd be returning next week," He chipped in. "Hopefully."

"You don't live in San?" Ava asked.

"I do," He answered, smiling at the woman.

"So?"

"Diego, actually," He answered.

"Ohhh!" Ava said, feeling more relaxed.

"Yeah." The man commented. "My wife works here."

"Cool," Ava said, smiling.

"Yeah," He said again, unsure of what to say.

"We were about to leave before you came in," Ava commented, returning her gloss to her purse.

"Ohhhh," Maxwell said, standing to his feet.

Ava laughed. He smiled.

"I'm not your wife, Max," She said, standing to her feet while Maya did the same.

"Take care," He said, watching them leave.

"What did you do that for?" Maya asked the moment they hopped into her car.

"What did I do what for?"

"That laugh was an embarrassing one, friend."

"Nah."

"Nah?"

"Maxwell always stood up before me when we were still together," Ava said. "He knows why I laughed."

"We were all together there, Avv."

"Together!" Ava said again, laughing. "Dating!"

"Ohhh," Maya said, relaxed.

"What do you know?" Ava asked. "Dummy."

"Really?" Maya said, her hands on the sterling.

"Yeah."

"I'd tell Mark," Maya said again, starting the car.

Ava laughed, watching her friend drive out of the restaurant's driveway.

She looked at the mirror and saw Maxwell. He was looking at their car.

"When you saw Maxwell.." Ava started.

"Okay?"

"I thought it was the guy," She said.

"What guy?" Maya asked, parking by the side of the road.

"From the wedding."

"The one you kissed?" Maya asked again.

"Fuck, yes!" Ava said. "The one I kissed."

"It's not a big deal, baby."

"Right?"

"Yeah." She answered, starting the car again. "Maxwell feels sorry, I guess."

"Yeah." Ava laughed. "I don't need it, though."

"He's a good man," Maya commented.

"He 'was', baby."

"That term is used for the late, Avv," Maya corrected.

"Yeah, I know." She said, "I meant, when we dated."

"Cool." Maya said, brewing her car horn.

The man at the gate opened, waving at the ladies.

"Mark is home." She said when she parked the car.

"How do you know?" Ava asked, unbuckling her seatbelt.

"I smell it," Maya said. "I'm his wife."

"Ohhhhh!" Ava said, laughing hard. "Mrs. Adams."

"That's me," Maya smiled, rolling her eyes while they got down from the car. "Sweet home."

"My home is in New York, honey," Ava reminded her, walking by her side. "Where does Jack stay?"

"San Diego," Maya answered, opening the entrance door with her key.

"I thought you were kidnapped," Mark said, looking up at the women from where he sat.

"Hi, honey," Maya greeted, walking to where he was seated. "How are you?"

"I'm okay," He said, kissing her shortly. "Hi, Avv."

"Mr. Adams," She called, sitting on a chair. "I'd be leaving tomorrow."

"You don't say!" Mark said, sitting uprightly on the chair.

"Well... " Ava was cut short.

"You're leaving your best friend, really?" Mark said, looking at his wife.

Ava laughed, and the two joined her in laughing.

"I'd miss you," Mark said.

"I'd miss you too," Ava said, smiling. "And this buzzkill of a friend."

The rest of the day was fun in the house of the Adams. Ava, Maya and Mark watched a movie before retiring to their rooms later that night.

Maya had escorted her friend to her room, "thank you, Avv." She had greeted, her hands ruffling Ava's hair.