Two days had passed since Misty's blatant sexual accost of Erin and her confrontation with Karin. Things were under strain with the small group. Erin made every effort to keep away from their meeting at the diner using training for the upcoming swim meet as his reason, and Karin was beginning to seem more reserved. Misty, on the other hand, was a whole different kettle of fish.

Lisa was worried that something was going on so she voiced her concerns as she sat at their usual table with Karin.

Karin had dreaded this moment but she knew it was bound to come. If only their wretched so-called friend Misty and Lisa's not-so-faithful boyfriend were here to take the ball out of her court.

She toyed with the friendship bracelet they had made for each other on their 16th birthday. They had exchanged these bracelets vowing to always be there and look out for each other no matter what.

They both wore them on their right wrist. Her a crystal star and blue bead set the colour of Lisa's eyes, and Lisa had a set of gold bees with brown beads to match Karin's.

She swore inwardly before she spoke.

"I know you care about Misty, but you've only known her for some time, and not even a lifetime can truly let you know someone."

Karin, in her simple reply, was telling Lisa not to trust the dark girl that they had befriended, but it was too cryptic to shed light on the matter or appease her friend's concerns.

Lisa stared at her quizzically, and Karin sighed inwardly with relief when Lisa refrained from any further queries as to what she meant by saying that, but as for the discussion it did not end.

"I tried calling her phone multiple times, but it just rang without an answer, and when she finally did answer this morning, she sounded brash and annoyed," she revealed. "I hope everything is ok at home."

The Biden were the best parents anyone could ask for, and as she thought about them, her mind went to Louisa, the daughter they had lost two years ago, and her heart sank. The one person outside of her family other than Lisa who had held a place in her heart.

"Give Misty a break, Lisa; if she needs you, I am sure as your friend, she'll come and confide in you," she said, hating the load of bull she was spilling, but she did not want to see Lisa hurt; she did not deserve that.

Lisa was not sure why Karin kept distancing herself from Misty. The way she spoke made it obvious she was indicating that Misty was mostly around because Lisa let her.

"She's your friend too you know," Lisa said matter of factly.

"Yeah, I guess," she shrugged hoping Elaine would hurry up with their usual order.

"Karin, is there something going on, something you're not telling me?"

Here it was the moment of truth or blatant lies. She chose to, however, border between the two.

"Misty does not need friends. She is too altruistic for that. I don't want you to think I am jealous you let her into our circle because I am not; Misty is not the scared, broken little orphan girl you're trying to care for. She is a guile seventeen-year-old who takes what she wants without caring."

Lisa opens her mouth to speak her eyes staring intently at her childhood friend. Something had happened for Karin to deliver such sentiments and she wished she did not have to pry it out of her.

It was being made clear to her that Karin was somehow trying to leave her to decipher for herself who Misty was. But why?

"Girls, sorry for the delay on your plates," Sophia, one of the waitresses, said, coming to their table and carefully placing the trays she balanced before them.

"Hhhmmm," Karin said with delight as she smiled at the waitress. "Thanks, Sofe I'm starving."

Lisa waited until Sophia was away from the table before she said."You need to tell me what's going on?"

She stared her friend in the eyes and said, "Ask Misty. She is the reason for your concerns."

"But am asking you."

"And that is what I was afraid of."

With a sigh, Karin pushed her tray away and then began to speak. "I never wanted to be in the middle of this but just so you know------"

The ringing of her phone caused her revelation to be cut to a halt and she was overjoyed. Save by the bell so to speak.

When she lowered the phone she wanted to tell Lisa point blank she should tell Misty their friendship was over because there was never one, to begin with.

She put the phone on the table and said, "That was my mum. She's doubling at the hospital, so I could stop by your house later and finish up our conversation as I will be home alone.

Lisa knew that Karin was not going to continue with the conversation so she allowed them to finish their tray without anything further being said on the topic.

They sat and talked about nothing in general, picking on trivial topics until it was time for them to leave, but before they parted ways, Lisa made Karin promise she would stop by her house later.

She made the promise but they both knew all she wanted was to get to the bottom of things. She was going to find out what was happening and she would ensure that she made it all right. She hated having the people she cared about be distressed, and she knew this was not something she could sweep aside.

Her mind was occupied with how to handle what was going on in the circle of their friendship when she bumped into Linda coming into the diner.

"Oh Linda sorry," she gasps with an apology.

"Hi Lisa," she smiles brushing aside her apology, "It's alright."

She was about to continue in the diner when Lisa stopped her and asked.
"Is everything ok with Misty?"

Linda's sweet smile slipped a bit, and her eyes were quickly averted before they came back to her.

"What did she do?" she finally asked.

"No, no," Lisa said quickly. "It's just that she has been acting a little moodier than usual lately."

Linda stood for a minute then said her tone hard, "It's best you leave Misty be and focus on getting her out of your life."

Lisa must admit she was very shocked by this. That was not very sisterly of Linda at all. As she stood there staring at the departing frame of the older woman she knew more than ever she must try to fathom what was taking place.

************************************
Thank you so much for reading this far.
Leave a vote thanks 😁
Please comment too.

Question: Should Karin reveal to Lisa Misty's attraction to Erin?
What would a true friend do?
Leave your comments below...👇🤗