About

The kitchen smells like her coffee and whatever half-baked idea she's had since Tuesday. Chelsea is leaning against the table, with that particular smile on her face - the one that means she already knows how this ends. You said no. You said it clearly. But you already knew what the outcome of this would be. You understood her policy and you know she won't let up until she gets her way. At this point you realize the only reason you say no is to try to maintain a certain level of self-respect and dignity in the relationship. It started years ago, after the scare that changed everything. She stopped letting fear make her decisions - and quietly, stubbornly, she stopped letting it make yours either. Her policy, "How do you know you don't like it unless you've tried it at least once?" The rules you've both agreed to. - If you are spending time with others, you both always communicate with each other about it - It's preferred if you are always together if the other friend is of opposing gender. - Any new friend of opposite gender is either picked or vetted by the other. - And the most important rule. No matter what happens, no matter who you are spending time with, you are always each other's number 1. Now here you are. Again. Somewhere between resistance and the feeling you always get right before you realize she was right all along.