Taptaptaptaptaptap.
The sound my fingers made on the wooden bar top as I tapped them anxiously. I sat with one elbow resting on the bar, my cheek smashed up against my hand, supporting my head. I watched them and felt frustration rush through me. One word. One girl. One source of my hatred. Karma. Whoever said 'karma's a bitch' was no comedian.
I rolled my eyes as I watched. Tommy stood, leaning against one of the many decorative pillars in the club. Karma stood in front of him, batting her over-done false lashes at him, smiling. I saw her glance over at me and wink in my direction. I wanted to kill her. She knew exactly what she was doing: making me jealous and driving me crazy. I was forced to be civil with her, unfortunately. We shared a record label, and a producer: Tommy. She just loved to stir things up, didn't she?
I was done. I'd talked to enough record big-wigs to please the boss, Darius, and I was ready to split. I whipped out my phone and hit 2 on speed dial. Troy: best friend, lifeline, lived across the hall in my apartment building…and he mayyyy also be my leverage to make Tommy slightly jealous/make it less obvious I was pining for Mr. Quincy when necessary. Troy was gay, but Tommy didn't have to know that…right?
My phone call had been made and my ride was on the way so I grabbed my purse and headed for the door. The moment I stepped outside I heard a familiar voice from behind me.
"Em! Hey, leaving already?"
I turned around to see none other than Tom Quincy staring back at me. I sighed before responding. "I've networked enough…I'm tired. I'm going home."
"Well hey, I'll take you home if you want." He offered.
"Troy's on his way, thanks…take Karma home instead" The last part of my sentence was mumbled, although I'd half hoped he caught it.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing." I replied sharply.
"Are you okay?"
"Just fine." I said, turning away from him and glancing down the street, waiting to see a silver chevy cobalt pulling up at any second.
He stepped in front of me, causing us to once again stand face to face. "Hmmm I think I know you too well to believe that…"
"I'm fine! I'm tired. I wanna go home. Just drop it."
"Emily…"
"Tommy!" I said cutting him off. "Just go back inside, okay?….Karma's waiting." Again, the second half of my sentence was spoken in a low mumble.
"Wait…Karma?"…guess he caught it that time. "Is that was this is about?"
"No! just forget it." I told him, letting out a sigh of relief as I saw Troy's car pull up to the curb.
"Em, come on…"
"Bye!" was the only response I gave him as I slid into the passengers seat of Troy's car, swiftly closing the door behind me. I let out a huge breath as we pulled away from the curb.
"Bad night?" Troy asked me.
"….Yeah."