UP IN SMOKE
MASSIE'S APARTMENT
7:15 PM
MARCH 6
Claire was silent when Massie finished. She was sitting on the edge of the couch, Massie's last words hanging hauntingly in the air. The silence was thick, but neither girl could move, they were too wrapped up in the painful memories of the past. Claire had heard this story from Alicia, yes, but hearing the account from Massie, and actually walking through it with her, was completely different.
Claire almost couldn't believe that the Massie in the story was the girl sitting in front of her. Massie rarely drank. And, she hated public displays of affection. To think she had almost did it with her a boy who wasn't her boyfriend, at a party, in CLAIRE's boyfriend's room, was mind-blowing. Of course, it wasn't that the story itself that was scary. It was the characters in it.
Both girls jumped when Claire's phone went off. Snapping out of her reverie, Claire scrambled to grab her purse and dig out her cell phone. Claire saw Cam's name flash on the ID, and suddenly, Claire was filled with a warm feeling throughout her entire body. Massie's past…was well, Massie's past. Claire would always have Cam to lean on. Claire fought her smile, knowing it would upset Massie, who was watching her intently. Instead, she opened the phone to speak to the man she knew she loved.
"Hey," She said quietly, vaguely aware her voice was shaking. She saw Massie move out of the corner of her eyes, and was reminded that she had a broken heart to take care of.
"Everything alright?" Cam asked.
"Yeah, I'm just at Massie's…I'll call you tomorrow, 'Kay?"
"Ok. Love you," Cam said, and Claire knew he meant it. She couldn't help the sudden happiness that flowed through her.
"Love you too."
Hanging up, Claire tried to pull back her happiness and replaced it with a somber face. She couldn't quite pull it off, though, and her eyes still sparkled and the corners of her mouth turned up in the need to smile.
Massie huffed. "Well, now we know you're love life is just fabulous."
Claire instantly felt guilty that she had openly expressed love in front of Massie, knowing that doing so had probably just rubbed Massie's hurt in a little. Her face went dead this time, the sparkle gone.
"So…now what?" Claire asked, wondering if Massie needed some more girl time or to sit alone with her thoughts.
"I don't know," Massie said quietly. It shocked Claire at how low Massie was right now.
Claire was silent for a minute. She was fighting the urge to ask Massie a risky question. She just didn't know how she would take it. Finally, Claire could no longer stand it. Figuring she had nothing to lose, Claire asked it.
"Do you still…like him?" She asked quietly.
Massie was drawn out of her depressed reverie and stared at Claire incredulously. "It's been six years, Kuh-laire."
"And you haven't dated since," Claire argued, feeling surprisingly bold.
"What? Claire, it was in High School, we didn't even love each other then…why would you think I would love him after all this time and-"
"But you liked each other," Claire said.
"That is beside the point."
"I think you loved him."
"Luvvv-ddddd. As in, the past. As in, it doesn't matter now," Massie snapped.
"Cam and I have been dating since middle school. Look where we are."
"But-" Massie bit her lip. For once she had no response.
Claire smiled slightly. She knew she had won.
STARBUCKS
STARBUCKS
BACK BOOTH
7:45 PM
MARCH 6
"Gawd." Alicia snapped her phone shut after unsuccessfully trying to contact Massie for the 12th time. Massie was 20 minutes late, and Alicia was not happy that she had actually hurried to this place. Hurried! For Massie! Who, of course, was not here.
Sighing, Alicia opened her cell to try one more time. Just as she was about to press send, someone familiar burst through the door. Puzzled, it took Alicia a second to realize it was Melissa. She scanned her outfit, and approved of the Ralph Lauren assemble.
Melissa spotted Alicia, and smiling, sauntered over to her table. "Hi. Heard you had plans with Massie. Mind if I join?"
It didn't occur to Alicia how Melissa knew, but she didn't really care. Of course, Melissa was below Alicia when it came to rank. But…Alicia thought as she tapped her manicured finger to her red lips. That did only apply to the magazine.
"Of course," Alicia smiled. "Massie didn't even show up."
Melissa nodded. "I would just like to say thanks for not being biased against me because of my name."
Alicia stared blankly at her. "What?"
Melissa frowned at her, then smiled when she realized Alicia did not recognize the connection. Then she just raised her eyebrow, and sipped her coffee. "Never mind."
For people wondering what the character of Melissa looks like, I have a picture of what I imagined her in my profile. If you'd rather use your imagination, don't bother. lol.
reviews appreciated.