LJ Idol: Friends and Rivals, Week 3: "Usichokoze Nyuki"
"Talk To Me"
"I think she hates me, and I don't know why." It's not like Raven to be this paranoid, though it's very much like her to be this blunt.
"Look, it's not your fault. Allison's just an introvert sometimes, and doesn't feel like talking. I don't think it's personal."
"No, I'm pretty sure it is. I think she's, like, worried I'm going to steal Max away from her. Which I'm definitely not!"
I stare off into the distance. "Have you talked to her about it?"
Raven shakes her head. "I'm not sure it would do any good."
*****
"I'm pretty sure Raven doesn't like me very much." Allison stares at the floor. "And I can't figure out why."
"Neither can I. What's not to like?"
She smiles weakly. "Well, for starters, probably the fact that I'm dating one of her good friends."
"That makes no sense!" I feel like I should be pacing the floor, but I also don't want to give up my seat at the bar. "I can't imagine her being anything other than happy for Max."
"Except that every time we talk," Allison interjects, "she winds up making some sly comment about us. Nothing overt, but just...things that make me wonder."
I look over at her quizzically. "What sort of things?"
Allison takes a deep breath. "Last week, for example, she said something to the effect of 'I kinda can't believe the two of you got together.' Which she probably didn't mean personally, but it's really hard not to take it that way."
I exhale slowly. "Okay, that doesn't sound like Raven at all. But I think this is something the two of you need to hash out with each other."
She shakes her head. "It's not that simple, Eric. I don't know how to have that conversation."
*****
"Are you as ticked off about this as I am?" Max and I are sitting at his coffee table; I'm first to arrive for game day, as usual. "About Allison and Raven, I mean."
Max stares off into the distance. "I don't think this is a battle worth fighting. I mean, sure, I'd like it if they were on better terms, but that's not my place."
"Isn't it, though?" I stand up and walk over to the window, trying to organize my thoughts. "I mean, I don't like seeing you and Raven growing further apart because of Allison. And having to manage which friends show up to which events is not any fun at all. I mean, I'm sure Raven would love to play with us, but she won't be here because Allison is."
"I know, I know." Max joins me at the window. "But like I said, I'm not going to be the one kicking up the hornet's nest here. If I try to broker a peace, it could break all of our friendships."
Hearing Max be so resigned to this fate only angers me further. I keep it in, though--I don't want to lose his friendship as well. I put a hand on his shoulder. "Leave it to me, then."
*****
"Oh...hi Raven." Allison awkwardly waves to Raven, then shoots me a look. "What's she doing here?" she mouths crossly.
I move my hand in a motion that I hope conveys "I'll explain in a moment," then give Raven a quick hug before she sits down. "Good to see you, Allison," she says as she grabs a menu.
We're at a restaurant near my house, but not near any of Max's, Allison's, or Raven's. It's the most neutral ground I could come up with, and a convenient excuse. ("Hey, I've been meaning to try out this new Chinese place near me. Why don't you guys tag along?")
Now that we're here, however, it becomes apparent that even neutral ground can be made into a war zone if the wrong enemies arrive at the same time. Time's ticking, as Max will be here any minute.
"Alright, we all know what's going on here. I didn't invite my friends here to NOT talk to each other." Raven and Allison both look at me like I'm crazy. Allison is first to speak.
"Then why did you invite someone who disapproves of me?"
Raven looks aghast. "What do you mean, disapproves? I don't! Not at all!"
For the first time, their eyes meet. Allison suddenly becomes shy. "I...I thought you didn't think I was worthy of Max. That you were protecting him from me."
"Oh, that's not true at all, Allison. I just...he's never been in a relationship as serious as you guys in the entire time I've known him. It was just a shock to the system, that's all." Raven's words are flying out at warp speed, trying to make up for lost time.
Allison still seems apprehensive. "So...you're okay with me, then?"
"Of course I am! And here I thought you weren't okay with me."
"Well, I wasn't sure what was going on. I mean, for all I know, you're being protective because you want him for yourself..."
Raven waves her hands frantically. "No, no, no...we're friends, nothing more. We figured that out long ago."
For the first time, Allison allows herself to exhale. "Okay, that's good to know." She smiles weakly, then brightens. "I'm glad we've sorted that out."
Raven smiles, too. "So am I! Come here!" She stands and walks around the table for a hug, which Allison gratefully accepts. As they separate, I notice Max walking toward us. He gives Allison a kiss, Raven a hug, and then turns to hug me.
"Did that work as well as it looks like?"
I smile as we separate. "Sometimes, kicking the hornet's nest is the only way to get them going where you want them to go."