(6) A friendships principles

“Thanks a lot Edwin.” disappointed, I looked at Edwin. “What? Why are you looking at me?!” “You’re the one who got us into this situation!” I said. “Oh of course it is me. Because you are the perfect infallible Charlotte Barton. You’re never wrong, it is never your fault.” “How do you know my surname?” I asked suspiciously. I never told him my surname. But Edwin seemed to ignore my question. “I knew this was a really bad idea.” “What was a bad idea?” I asked, confused. “But of course, I had to let myself be persuaded into this bullshit!” he kicked against a little stone. Now it was Edwin who got frustrated and started stomping around angrily. “What bullshit? Who persuaded you to do what? Edwin answer me!” I almost yelled at him. He stopped and looked me deep in the eyes. Then he replied quietly: “This, all this was just a silly bet.” “What bet?” He paused. “After your little dramatic presentation yesterday, my friends bet that I would never get you to make out with me. But I disagreed and told them that I would get anyone I wanted. I could charm anyone, even you.” blasted Edwin out. My eyes were wide open, and I really had to control my chin so that it would not tilt downwards. I was speechless. “You’re even a bigger asshole than I thought.” my voice was so calm, I almost got scared of myself. I made one step towards him and with a large gesture I slabbed him in the face. Without any other words, I trotted off. “Wait, I’m sorry! Where are you going?” Edward ran after me to catch up. But I didn’t want to talk to him. In fact, it couldn’t be worse that I was stuck with him in the middle of nowhere. “I’m sorry, really! Charly, please listen to me, I can explain it!” “How on earth do you want to explain this? You were forced to be an asshole?” I continued walking down the street, in hope of getting anywhere. Anywhere else than here with him. “No, I don’t know… But let me at least try!” he begged. “I really had a great time today! And I actually think I like you, you’re the first person I can truly be myself.” “Oh, you didn’t reach your goal, so you still try to hook up with me? Disgusting.” “No, you’re not even my type.” he said. “I take that as a compliment.” I mentioned. “But I want you to be my friend!” “Really?” I stopped so suddenly, that he almost walked straight into me. “You know that the principle of a good friendship is honesty?” “I know.” he said, “This is also the reason why I told you.” “Oh thank you, now we can be best friends!” I ironically smiled at him. And continued to stick out my thumb in hope, that someone could take us with them to the ferry. “I was an idiot, I know. I should have told you earlier.” Edward tried. “Or not done it at all.” I said. “Yes, also an option. Please give me one more chance!” “You remember what you told me at the beginning of the day?” Just at that moment, an old car that almost seemed to fall apart, stopped right next to us. The old shepherd we had seen from the bus smiled at us, with his last few teeth, and his enormous dogs sitting in the back. I could not, but smile back. Something about old people just makes me smile and feel grateful, especially at this moment. He said something in Greek that I didn’t understand, but his hand gesture let me assume that he invited us in. “Ferry, chuchu?” I tried to explain to him. “What if he’s going to kidnap us?” Edward asked unsure. “What is he going to do with us, feed us to his dogs?” I got in and closed the door. The shepherd waited patiently until Edward too got in. He had to squeeze in between two of the shepherd dogs. Happily, they greeted him with kisses. A little smile crossed my face.