I know that’s part of my problem. My sister has always been my best friend, Lyra and Kate notwithstanding, and she missed Christmas this year. Gunnar, acting as ambassador to Laandia, had been in East Asia for some summit on fishing and took Stella along. And because he had friends in Australia, they decided to extend their trip and stay there for Christmas.
It’s the first time Stella and I have been away from each other over Christmas. I was left behind to celebrate a super quiet Christmas with my mother and step-father. My step-sister Daphne chose not to come home either.
It was quiet. A little lonely.
A lot lonely.
I spent time with my father at the castle, but seeing the royal family, all coupled up in happy twosomes, didn’t help.
“Their flight leaves at six p.m. our time tomorrow, so they’ll be back by Monday,” Kate informs us.
“I said I’d do the final night check at the shelter because everyone is here,” I add.
“Why didn’t Fenella have the party at her place?” Lyra wonders.
“Something about making it more balanced for the businesses.” Kate shakes her head. “There’s a committee for the licensed establishments in town to make sure that events like this are shared. Which is why the pre-party for the Sea Queen ball at the end of January will be at Sailor’s Saloon.”
“I guess that’s a good thing.”
“Plus, this many people can’t fit in Fenella’s place,” Lyra points out.
“Speaking of the Sea Queen ball,” Kate begins with an eager glance. “Have you thought of someone to invite?”
The ball was a winter fixture in Battle Harbour, taking place at the end of January. Not only will one young woman be crowned Sea Queen, but it’s expected women will ask the men to the dance, rather than waiting for men to ask them.
Neither is good for me.
“Maybe that would help this funk.” Lyra waves a hand around me like my mood was something tangible to touch. “You could try dating again. Find someone for yourself.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to date,” I remind her. “I’m just bad at it.”
“How can you be bad at dating?” Kate demands.
“Maybe not the actual date, but it never goes anywhere. I am the queen of first dates. Second?” I shrug. “Not so much.”
I do date—not much, but enough for me to be a staple on Friday nights at restaurants and bars around Battle Harbour. And first dates were often great—good conversation, lots of laughs—but when it comes to suggesting another, invariably I am told that I amso nice. So fun. Such a fantastic person with a greatpersonality.
It’s not like I’m unattractive. I have a mirror. I’m not model beautiful like Fenella and Lyra, but there’s no ugly duckling in our trio.
I have thick and healthy hair that is styled becomingly (most days); eyes that, even though they’re not the silver-green of my brother’s, are an amazing shade of chocolate brown with caramel accents; and a nose that in no way resembles a ski slope or an upturned pig’s nose. Iampretty, and not just on a good day.
But I’m continually friend zoned.
I only think of you as a friend.
I want to keep you as a friend.
But I really want to be friends.
Friends, friends,friends.
I am friends with the most eligible bachelors in Battle Harbour, nay all of Laandia, and I don’t know how to get out of the friend zone I’m stuck in.
“Still haven’t heard from Martin then?” Lyra asks sympathetically.
Everything tightens. I wish I never opened my mouth because it was inevitable that things would veer back to this. “Like I said, first date,” I say, hoping I sound as casual as I’m trying for.
“You can call him,” Kate points out.
