“Sort of,” she says.
“Sort of?” That’s not the answer I was expecting. It’s either at the dorm or here and it’s clearly not here.
She gives me her signature Mercedes smile. “I threw it out. So, while it is back home, it’s in the trash.”
“You threw out my bathing suit?!” I yell out in frustration.
“It was really ugly,” she says, not looking at all remorseful. “But I replaced it. And we’re going bathing suit shopping tomorrow. So we can get some new ones that work, it’s on me,” she finishes.
“My old one was perfectly fine.” It was not ugly. I mean, maybe a little old but definitely not ugly.
“Yes but the new ones will be hot,” she says, like that makes it all better.
“I don’t need you to buy me things,” I tell her. Mercedes knows that I don’t come from money. But she does. Unlike mine, her closet is full of the latest fashions. I mean, I’m not poor. My parents aren’t poor. But we’re not rich either. So, I avoid unnecessary costs. Actually, the reason I came to USU was so I could become a doctor without having to pay tuition and it saves us money. Regardless of my family’s financial status, I don’t need someone to buy things for me.
“I know you don’t. But I made you come on this trip and threw away your old bathing suit. The least I can do is replace it,” she replies.
I sigh. “Apparently, you already did,” I tell her, resigned.
“It’ll look really good on you,” she assures me.
“Well, if I hate it, I’m staying in!” Now I really hope I hate it so I can use it as an excuse to sleep a little longer.
“Nonsense!” she responds then disappears into the bathroom.
I put on the bathing suit and thank the heavens that Mercedes made me get a Brazilian Wax. I walk over to my suitcase and grab one of the beach dresses I brought with me. At least she didn’t take that out. I put it on then throw my hair in a ponytail. Then, I sit on the edge of the bed and wait for Mercedes to be done with the bathroom so I can head in and brush my teeth.
It’s funny that I can’t even be mad at Mercedes. I like that she pushes me, though I’ll never tell her that. She knows she challenges me and I appreciate it.
I think about how lucky we were to be in the same officer class in the Air Force together. Despite how many things we don’t have in common, we share a love of medicine, which brings us together. Although our reasons for choosing USU are different, me financial and her following in her family’s footsteps, we both ended up together.
In a couple of years, we’ll both graduate from USU then head to Herbert’s School of Medicine to finish up our careers. This will be followed by a contract with the Air Force and an assignment. So, like it or not, as long as we both pass we’ll be in this for the long run. Mercedes likes to remind me I’m stuck with her for good.
“I’m ready,” she says, interrupting my thoughts as she steps out of the bathroom.
I force a smile. “I’ll be done in a second,” I tell her as I walk over to the bathroom.
“Spring Break, here we come!” she shouts just as I close the door behind
2 Ari Cole
The sun is beginning to set and, much like this morning, I find myself drained. More so now because we’ve spent the entire day at the beach. It wasn’t bad but I’m ready to hit the hay.
“Are we leaving?” I ask Mercedes when she returns to my side with drinks in hand.
She hands me my Piña Colada. When in Mexico and at the beach, nothing else feels more appropriate. “So, hear me out,” she starts, and the moment those words leave her mouth, I know nothing good will follow.
I take a big sip of my drink, letting the alcohol fuel me. “What?” I ask when I feel like I’ve braced myself for a Mercedes curveball.
“I met a guy at the bar,” she starts, and I find myself completely unsurprised.
“And?” I ask, wondering if I’m right about where I think she’s going with this.
“And he’s here on spring break,” she says, and I know she’s stalling.
I take another sip. “And?” I say again, ushering her along.
“And we can go back to the hotel room,” she tells me with a big smile. Hmm, this sounds too good to be true, which means there’s a catch. “And change so we can go to a bonfire a little ways down at a neighboring hotel beachfront!” She finishes and of course that’s where she’d go with that.
“Why don’t you go? I’ll stay in the room and sleep,” I tell her, picking up my towel from the back of the lounge chair and throwing it over my left shoulder.
Mercedes places her arm on her hip. “You’d seriously just let me go off with a stranger?”
“You’re a trained military officer,” I remind her as I start walking toward our room with her at my side.
“Basic training and minimal. We’re also technically not officers yet. Just candidates,” she corrects.
“So, you’re saying you can’t defend yourself?” I reply jokingly, knowing Mercedes will fight me on it and then we’ll be arguing in favor of the same thing.
“I can defend myself... but as a friend, you shouldn’t leave me on my own,” she says, not letting me escape.
“So let’s not go,” I reply to her as I turn to look back briefly and catch the sun setting beautifully over the water. I allow myself to take it all in. It’s peaceful out here. No chaos. No yelling. No spring breakers running wild. To be honest, I’m surprised we’re some of the only people here. Though I guess the hotel next door is where the spring breakers are and now Mercedes wants us to join
