Holly & Athina - How to start a friendship

I'm walking in Harvard's corridors, just wanting to go back to my flat and lie iin my bed. I'm so tired because of theater, it takes a lot of energy from me. But I have to convince myself that I'm stronger than that. Since this year, i'm in medicine AND theater, before I just studied medicine... But, in a way, I think this is a very good thing, because I can keep my mind open to the arts. And I'm really fond of arts. So, I'm thinking about my bed, and maybe about a serie such as Gossip girl. But perrhaps, I'll just sleep a bit before going to work in the Lord Hobo. But, I'm stopped in my thought because I see a girl : Holly. She's Avery's wife, and we met some day because of him. I discovered that we had a lot of things in common and I really want to become her friend. So, I make my ideas of bed and sleeping going away and I walk to her. Hi Holly ! How are you ? It has been a long time since we met, and I think I'll enjoy speaking with her.

It was the end of the semester, and I could feel it. Exams were coming and I did not know if I was ready for it or not. Actually, I was more thinking about Ariane who came back few days ago from a long absence than about my exams. I was also thinking of how my trip to Denver would go, if my parents would like my husband or not. I was sure they would love him, but I was not that sure they would like the idea of him being my husband and not just my boyfriend. A book opened, I was reading for my American history class while walking through the corridor to go home. I did not live in the campus so I had to take my car to go home. While reading (and walking which was something I did like… always), I heard a voice calling me. Hi Holly ! How are you ? I raised my head to see Athina. I smiled and closed my book, “Hi!”, I said to her. She was one of Avery’s friends and she seemed nice. “I’m fine..thank you!” I watched my book and laughed, “In fact, I need to study for my finals or I won’t be able to succeed this year...and you, how are you?”

Well. I needed to carry on my studies in order to succeed at my exams... But, at this moment, I was really tired, so tired ! When I heard Holly speak of studies and when I saw her walking while she was reading a book, I remembered that I had some stuff to do. Like... Learning this lessons of medicine, anatomy and so on... But I was not ready for that. I didn't want to be obtrusive with Holly, if she needed to learn or read, I could just go away. We could meet later ! So I said to her : Ho, you know, I have to study too... I don't want to fail ! But now, what I really need is just speak to a friend. But I understand if you have more important things to do ! It was true, we were in a university after all ! And such a good one ! Not everybody could enter Harvard and all the students in here were working so hard to succeed ! Well, nearly everybody.

I was a good student, actually. And I don’t say that because I’m a narcissistic person. In fact, I’m modest one but this was obvious. And my biggest power was that I was passionate. History was really something I loved and waking up every morning to go to class and learn more and more was something I loved. I didn’t need to spend hours and hours in front of my notes to remember what we talked about during the classes. Ho, you know, I have to study too... I don't want to fail ! But now, what I really need is just speak to a friend. But I understand if you have more important things to do ! I smiled and shook my head, “What? No, I have nothing more important to do!” I laughed and looked at my book, “I still have time to read that! Are you okay?” I asked that because she said she needed to speak to a friend, so… maybe there was something wrong with her. “We can find a sunny place to set up and talk?”

I was happy to hear that Holly was ready to talk with me. I answered : Yeah, sure ! Let's go outside ! We walked out the corridors and tried to find somewhere to sit down and chat together. If I was fine ? Oh well, everything was okay those days... Ok, let's be realistic : I was more than happy : I had a fantastic boyfriend and every moment we spent together was better than the one before... I was totally in love with him. So yeah, I think I felt okay. But maybe was I a little bit anxious because of the bal.. In fact, Ruben was supposed to go with his best friend Amara, and even if we were at the same table, even if he told me that I didn't have to worry about that, well, I was a little bit jealous. So, I thought I could share my fears with Holly. I was pretty sure she could understand the way I was feeling. So I began : I'm okay, you know, I'm in a relationship with Ruben Werner since we admit that we were in love in Africa, but... Yes, at this moment I was at the edge to speak about the bal, but I didn't want to say more... Perrhaps because I didn't like talking about me, even when I had a problem...

Yeah, sure ! Let's go outside ! I nodded and walked with her outside: there was sun everywhere actually and it was so good to feel the sunshine on my skin. It made me think of Hawaii, where I was one and a half week ago with the Winthrops. We found somewhere quiet to set up and I sat down next to Athina, waiting for her to talk about what she wanted to talk about. I'm okay, you know, I'm in a relationship with Ruben Werner since we admit that we were in love in Africa, but... I smiled and I could see how she was talking about him. “I did not know you had a boyfriend! That’s really cool, and you seem to be really in love with him, don’t you?” She had her eyes shinning and I wondered if my eyes looked like that when I was talking about my boyfriend. But the “but” intrigued me. “But what?”, I asked, staring at her. “Tell me”, I added and smiled to make her feel confident. How could there be a ‘but’? Life always brings surprises and sometimes, it is not good ones.

Holly sounded so happy for me. So I deduced of her reaction that I could trust her to give me advices or at least, to listen. So I answered : Yes, it happened not a long time ago. I'll Say, 1 or 2 weeks. Wao. The Dunster's safari wasn't as far away as I thought : in Haravrd, Ruben and me didn't have as much time to spend together. And I felt weeks as months... Now, let's come to the heart of ly problem. My boyfriend is going to the bal with an other girl. Why ? Because we were not together when he asked her, and because he needs to convince her that she could trust him again... Yes, I know, that's a good thing, but why don't they do it an other day, every day, every night could have been a better choice. But, I'm getting angry for nothing, I have to believe in Ruben... My boyfriend is going to the bal with his best friend. But we'll be at the sale table... You ses, I can't help muselg being jealous and nervous about that... Even if he promised me some dances, even if we'll be not officialy together, but together at least, I can't help feeling this way. I waited for Holly's answer.

Yes, it happened not a long time ago. I'll Say, 1 or 2 weeks. One or two weeks ago was not that far, but sometimes when we think about things that happened, we realize more easily how long it had happened. When I thought about my own relationship, I couldn’t believe we married three months ago. It seemed like yesterday. I stayed silent while listening to Athina and she explained to me what was wrong. My boyfriend is going to the bal with his best friend. But we'll be at the sale table... You see, I can't help myself being jealous and nervous about that... I smiled a little: she was jealous and I could not blame her for this feeling. “Listen”, I said. “My best friend, Ariane just came back after months and months without giving me any news. I did not know where she was and she just reappeared like that. I’m very glad because she’s my best friend but… I know she has history with Avery. They slept together when Avery had a girlfriend in October and they were… like flirting together before she vanished. And I am so jealous and so afraid because if she tries to steal him from me, I could lost my best friends…” Because Avery was my best friend before he was my boyfriend or even my husband. “That’s perfectly normal for you to be jealous or to be afraid… but you should trust him. Do you trust him?” I asked.

When I had finish to talk, Holly began to tell me about her own fears. She was affraid that Avery could cheat on her because he had a story with her best friend. Maybe it's a little bit more complicated than my situation. I deed, I didn't know this girl and so I didn't mine being jealous... But for Holly, it was not the sale. Being jealous meant that she didn't trust her own best friend anymore... So, her words made me feel a little bit better : I was not alone in this situation and she could understand me ! It was a pretty good new ! Yes, I understand... If they were close to each other befoere she can feel bas because of the fact that you married Avery instead of her... But I think it's pretty seriois between you. Avery told me that you're goinf to meet your parents ? Yes, I was litteraly changing of subject... So I came back to it : Thank you for understanding me... But I think your situation is worse... Ok, I was not reassuring her at all. Maybe I coule have sais somerhing more... Optimistic. But I waited for her answer. Then I realised I did not answer to hers so I said : Yes, of course I trust him !

I just wanted Athina to understand that jealousy was something normal. People usually say it is the most beautiful proof of love and I think it is right. If you are jealous, it means that you really have feelings for the person and it means a lot. I know that I find it pretty sexy on Avery when he shows his jealousy. Yes, I understand... If they were close to each other before she can feel bas because of the fact that you married Avery instead of her... But I think it's pretty seriois between you. Avery told me that you're goinf to meet your parents ? I smiled and shook my head, “Yes, I go back to Denver after the bal, just before the Summer Camp and I asked Avery to come with me.” Because I was falling in love with my best friend and it was important for me to introduce him to my parents. Thank you for understanding me... But I think your situation is worse... I laughed: well, it was pretty clear thank you Athina! ”Well.. let’s say it’s not the same. I trust Avery and I know he won’t do anything that can hurt me.” I hoped so, but I saw how bad he was when he left me few weeks ago. I believed in his feelings for me. Yes, of course I trust him ! – ”So… there is nothing to worry about! I mean… she is his best friend. Usually there is no ambiguity with your best friend. I used to sleep sooooo many time in Avery’s bed without thinking of sleeping with him.” I shrugged and added, “And going with someone on a bal means nothing. That’s not because you won’t go with him that it means you won’t dance with him, talk with him or even kiss him!”