◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦
I have dearly departed Motina to thank for my unhealthy shopping addiction. I’m not sure how it started exactly, but knew I shared her penchant for all things new, luxurious, and expensive since the touchy age of fourteen.
While I’d been awkwardly stepping into my sexuality and forever trying to hide the persistent odor of booze on my breath, mother’s presence at our estate became scarcer than ever before. She usually rushed back into Naples a couple days prior to father’s return from whatever business he was handling, eagerly inviting me into their massive master bedroom so she could show off her limited addition handbags and custom spun silks.
I always wondered what it felt like to be loved by someone the way Motina unconditionally loved her expanding wardrobe.
Though I enjoyed looking at and touching what was handed over for me to admire, mom’s flowery feminine tastes didn’t match mine. The numerous stacks o
❀ Kate ❀ I ran like demons from hell were chasing me. My feet became a blur after some time, hardly recognizable as they slapped against the sleek black belt with ferocity. I wasn’t paying attention to anything else happening around me at LA Fitness, focusing on numbers and numbers alone. How many calories I was burning, howgoodit felt to expel my stored energy; Watching my heart rate steadily climb. I hadn’t trainedthis hardsince meeting Sawyer, not even for the competition I backed out of, and man were my sore muscles feeling it. Cursing under ragged breath, I quietly vowed never to miss another pre-planned gym session again. Especially not to sit on my ass and eat fattening ice cream at one in the afternoon, with someone who obviously didn’t take me seriously. After suffering from last night’s embarrassment, I only wanted to do one thing; Run, and I was. Running, running,running m
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ Later that same evening “....I just think it’sfunnnny...”I drawled, leaning toward Erin’s shell shaped bathroom mirror slightly as I applied an even coat of cherry lip balm to my pout. “I’ve never met someone so flighty before; Seems like Kate always chooses the difficult route and honestly dudeI’m tired.We’re running in circles at this point. If she doesn’t give a fuck, why should I? Why is italways mepaying for shit I never asked for!?” “Mmmmmmm.” Erin glanced up from painting her right pinky toe, and I caught her humming in thought when I turned to the left for some validation. Perched at the end of her modern porcelain soaking tub, she screwed the top of my favorite coral nail polish (the one I let Erin borrow a few months ago) back into place and exhaled heavily. I could practically feel pity floating in the air as she did so. “Go eas
♬ Blythe ° “So...Sawyer,” I started with a calm smile, chewing the bottom portion of my lip in thought as she poured her third shot since we’d settled at a community table, beside a round built-in ceramic hot tub. The dusky air was calm all around us, save for a light salty breeze making it’s presence known by stimulating my nostrils. Her curious blue eyes shifted in my direction for a brief second before returning to their post; A rather large clay glass used for hammering tequila like I’ve honestly never seen before. One forearm resting against the table, I watched Sawyer’s slender fingers tap lightly in my peripheral view as she eased back into her chair. When addressing someone, I like to maintain eye contact. It’s respectful. “That’s my naaaaameee...a damn stupid one too if you ask me.” She slurred with a sarcastic giggle after a moment. Lifting her shot glass up, the beautiful tow-headed blonde began to laugh obnoxiously. “I mean, what girls do
❀ Kate ❀ Two days later “Thanks for swinging by on such short notice, Kate. We know you’ve got a busy schedule.” My dad’s tight smile was on full display as he stepped aside so I could stride into the familiar foyer. Dressed for business as usual, his violet J. Crew suit wrinkled some with every movement. It must’ve been a long day for him, too. “I’m sure you’re as ravenous as we are.” Feeling plainly clothed as always in my professional paternal figure’s presence, I smoothed out the front of my ivory Adidas thin long sleeve while he continued rambling about what we were having to eat. I’d just gotten back from a three hour LA Fitness visit, and was ready to lay into some chow—ravenous was an understatement. A sickeningly sweet wave of freshly baked cinnamon rolls rushed forward, making my stomach growl. We used to have them for breakfast every Sunday morning when Amanda was still alive; Now they make a rare appearance a
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ “...Take a shot with me?” Kate’s best friend asked without really asking. I could tell by that urgent tone, and cocked an eye brow in response. Though there wasn’t much of a chance to object—Almost immediately after placing his order, a heavily made up bartender slammed two mini clear glasses in front of us on her way to another rowdy table. My gaze lingered on the scantily dressed redhead’s retreating profile for a second. She seemed vaguely familiar at first sight, but I wouldn’t be surprised if every bar keep in Naples knew who I was. I hop around town searching for a good time often enough; It’s just I’m never sober for long so it’s not like I’ve ever remembered the names of anyone who served me. “You drink vodka, right? Or was it whiskey? Rum??” Tristan squinted his eyes shut and drummed a few fingers against his head, trying to recall. The blundering performance he was putting on amused me, so I threw him a bone with a friendly—albeit tight— smile.
❀ Kate ❀ I really should take a trip to the supermarket tomorrow after work. Peering at the scarce contents of my icebox, I selected my last mini container of garlic hummus and pre-sliced celery sticks to serve as a late dinner. I normally wouldn’t eat after seven at night if I can help it, but exceptions exist for a reason. Midst all the drama that took place at my parents and later on with Tristan, food was the last thing on my mind. Until now, because I could no longer endure the intense hunger cramps seizing my stomach with a vengeance. I’d hardly grazed since lunch— before training. Leaning against the cheap ceramic tile of my counter, I shakily tore into the little hummus cup and swirled a hearty amount of creamy goodness onto my neatly cut celery stalk. I stared at the white popcorn ceiling as I chomped away without really tasting anything, finally deciding I liked the way my living space looked since Danica picked up her
❋ Erin ❋ Sawyer was running late; Not the ‘Oh, I’ll only be five minutes!’ kind of late, either. I’ve been waiting in her pitch black living room for over an hour. My buddy's punctuality hasn’t ever been great, but it usually doesn’t suck massive dinosaur dick like this! I dropped everything when Soy asked me to come over; The least she could do was be here at the agreed upon time. UGH. Okay, so I’d been lounging around my apartment eating Cheetos and watching Friends reruns when she called, but that’s beside the point! Ditching comfy threads for mom jeans and a bra after eight P.M will be deemed illegal after this evening—signed by Erin Triem, personally. She didn’t answer when I knocked, nor did I see her aquamarine sports car anywhere. So I just let myself in with the spare key hidden underneath Sawyer’s potted Petunia flowers neatly positioned on the left. Bored outta my mind ever since. I knew
❋ Erin ❋ “...Sauce?” I kept my wary gaze on the back of Sawyer’s white blonde head as she quickly walked to her freezer, probably for alcohol. “You did break up with Kate...right?” When my best friend turned back around, she was clutching onto a half empty bottle of cold patron and popping the cap off. Well THAT doesn’t bode well for my assumption. Sawyer’s blue eyes flickered guiltily as she leaned against her fridge. They met mine for a second, then dropped to the tiled floor with shame. “You’re right, dude; It doesn’t take hours to end a relationship...so what do you think?” Suddenly it all clicked into place. The messy mop for hair, slightly rumpled clothing, and glowing porcelain skin. Not to mention the fact that it’s past midnight now and she’s just barely getting home. Damn, Soy. You had one job...and you literally fucked yourself right out of it. “I don’t believe this...”