Self Improvement, chapter 16

Previous chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/self-improvement-92201396?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Meanwhile, Rebecca and Mark were a little further along than their counterparts. Having advanced from a couch in the living room to her bedroom, Rebecca rested her head on Mark's chest while they talked about nothing, everything and all the things in between.
At the top of the list of things they talked about was of course the relationship between Rachael and Fred. Were they doing alright? Was Rachael making an ass out of herself?

Mark seemed confident in his friend's ability to carry things forward with Rachael at a reasonable pace.

"He's patient. I think it's a good match, a guy who likes to take his time with a girl who obviously needs it."

"I hope you're right. *Sigh*, She's just.. So inexperienced. I honestly still can't believe how different she is now to how she used to be. It's almost like she's a different person."

"Do you have any idea why she suddenly changed so much? Just from the day in the park to now, even I can tell that she'd gone through something.."

"..I don't know.. I don't wanna be mean or anything, but like, maybe she's having a midlife crisis? Not that she's halfway to dead, but it feels a lot like when dads buy new cars and change things about themselves and in their life. Maybe she realized what life had in store for her if she continued being an unsocial prude? I'm just guessing tho."

"That ..sorta makes sense? I can relate. My dad always pressured me to pursue a good career. Focus on my studies, not take too much time for myself and so on. Coming from someone who's always worked very hard, I guess he only wanted what he thought was best for me. But in all honesty, I'd hate to end up like him. All work and no fun. I think that's what Rachael realized as well, that her life would end up being a bottomless pit of work without any breaks."

"HAHAHA damn! Why does it look like you're contemplating your entire existence? Whew. But yeah, I think you're right. By the way, I think I should start wrapping things up, send people on their way."

"..So I'll just lie here and wait?"

"Ha-Ha. Very funny. You're not getting out of this that easy. Besides, who do you take me for? Some floozy who'd let a guy sleep over just like that?"

"..Kinda?"

"Jerk.."

Rebecca left her bedroom with a goofy grin on her face. She loved Mark's humor, his charm. His everything. She couldn't wait to get back to her room and spend the entire night with him, but first things first. She had to send people home. Unfortunately, that meant sending Rachael and Fred on their way as well. Speaking of the two, her mind began to wander. Had they gotten along well? What had they been up to all night long?

After shutting down the music, telling people to head home, Rebecca mingled with some friends for a moment by the door. The last couple of people to shuffle out of the house were Rachael and Fred, though it was more of a stagger from Rachael's side of things, being leaned right up against the man besides her for stability.

"Seems like you two had a good time!"

"Well duh! It was, like, a banger party! *Hick*. You should have birthdays more often!!"

Rachael giggled at her own joke, catching an odd look from Rebecca, who'd never seen or heard her friend talk anything remotely like the total ditz before her. She looked over to Fred, eyes full of questions. He simply shrugged and made a motion with his hand, hinting that she may or may not have had a little too much to drink.
As they passed by her in the doorway, Rebecca leaned in to whisper something into Fred's ear.

"Help her get home, will you? And NO taking advantage. There will be hell to pay."

The tone was stern, yet playful. Like she knew that Fred wasn't the type of guy to do anything. She still felt as though it was in its place for her to say something, just because.

"Yes, your honor.."

Rolling her eyes as she smiled, Rebecca waved the pair off before heading back inside to what she considered to be the "main event" of her birthday...