CHAPTER 5: Here
The next evening, some of the staff and members of the roster were attending the annual New Year's party. "I really hate sometimes how they have us hopping back and forth from city to city" said Alexa. "I'm still hella tired from last night's party."
"Well I tried to tell you that hosting that party the night before wasn't such a good idea" said Sasha. "Next year, I'll listen to you" said Alexa. "I'll remember that you said that" said Sasha. "You know how I am when it comes to holding people their words." "Of course" said Alexa. "Besides I think that my body will thank you for the advice of giving it a little extra rest."
"Hello ladies" Finn said as he walked up to the two. "Are you enjoying yourselves tonight?" "Why yes Fergal, we are" said Sasha. "That's good to know" Finn said as he took a sip from his wineglass. "Hey Alexis, mind if I have a little chat with Mercedes here?"
"Sure don't" Alexa said. "You two have fun but remember not too much fun." "Oh stop it" Sasha joked. "So Mercedes…" Finn continued. "There's this really cool nature trail that I've discovered out by my house in Orlando and I was sort of wondering if you'd like to join me on it sometime?"
"Absolutely" said Sasha. "I used to study ecology and conservationism when I was in high school and I've always wanted to visit the Everglades." Finn chuckled. "The Everglades is in Miami." "I know that" Sasha said. "Who doesn't know that?" "You'd be pretty surprised" said Finn. "So what time will be good for you?" "Um…I'd have to check my calendar" said Sasha. "But I'll let you know and everything so this isn't a rain check just to let you know."
"Good I'm glad that it's not" said Finn. "Care to join me on the dancefloor?" "I'd love to" said Sasha. "But only for a few minutes. I have a very important phone call to make soon." "Then I won't keep you long" Finn said as he stuck out his hand for her to take. Sasha hesitated for a brief moment before placing her hand in his.
Meanwhile, Enzo and Mandy were own their way over in a limo that they shared with Cass and Carmella. Mandy wore a silver sequin dress to match Enzo's white tuxedo. "You guys look like you're ready for your wedding" Cass laughed.
"Actually..." Mandy said as she forcefully snapped her compact mirror shut. "Eric hasn't popped the question yet." "Well what are you waiting for?" Cass chuckled. "You've been together for 9 months. You're the longest relationship he's ever had." Carmella slapped him at the back of his head for his comments.
"Nice one asshole" she said. "Maybe you should lay off." "Yeah maybe you should" Enzo said. "You really oughta." "Come on Eric" said Cass. "You're my childhood friend. I know it's not true. You're longest relationship ever was with-" Carmella slapped him again to quiet him. "Ex-nay on Eric's personal life, okay?" she said.
With this Mandy suddenly began to glare. "Car-Car I already know all of his deepest and most darkest of all secrets" said Mandy. "Isn't that right Eric?" Cass locked eyes with Enzo and suddenly gave him a quizzical look of pure and utter confusion. The entire limo become abruptly quiet at her words.
Unfortunately, this wasn't the first time that Mandy has shown her true colors to Enzo and his friends. In fact, she had been pretty much doing so since about 3 months into their relationship. Cass and Carmella as well as Enzo's other friend Mojo Rawley have taken note of it and had attempted to address it to Enzo but most of the times he dust it under the rug as if it never happened.
"Yes honey-money" Enzo said flatly. Carmella took a look at Mandy's heels. "You like?" Mandy asked as she flashed her red bottoms. "They're brand new. Eric brought them for me for Christmas and his birthday present." "Amanda, isn't your birthday in July?" asked Cass. "His birthday present?" asked Carmella.
"Yeah his birthday present" said Mandy. "Eric doesn't like to let me feel like I'm left out so he got them for me." The couple both turned to give Enzo yet another confused look. At this moment, Cass mouthed "we gotta talk bro" to him. Enzo calmly nodded.
The limo pulled up to their location and Enzo helped Mandy out. "I'll meet you inside" he said. "Why don't you make sure that you're extra ready for me?" Mandy smiled. "Remember the ball drops in 30 so meet me in 20, got it?" "Got it" said Mandy as she made her way inside. "Dude we gotta talk now" said Cass. "I'll give you two some privacy" Carmella said as she made her way inside.
"Dude, that chick has you wrapped around her finger tighter than a boa constrictor" said Cass. "Is everything alright with you?" "Yeah Mandy's just…well she's like me…only the female and over the top version of me" said Enzo. "And doesn't that shit scare ya bro?" Cass.
"Scared shitless? No. Terrified….I'm not quite sure" said Enzo. "But she's sexy as hell." "Sometimes it isn't always about the looks bro" said Cass. "I know dude but I'm into her" said Enzo. "No" said Cass. "You were. I can tell and from that I am highly concerned for you."
"The fuck you mean bro?" Enzo asked. "Eric we've known each other since we were 12 years-old. You don't think I know the difference between when you're in love with someone versus when you're not?" said Cass. "Sure you did like Mandy at first…but I can see it in your eyes it's now elsewhere."
Enzo looked down in defeat. "Its okay bro just tell me who it is" Cass continued as he placed his hands on Enzo's shoulders. "I can't" said Enzo. "You can't or you won't?" Cass asked. "Look I'm your best friend Eric and I've always kept all of your secrets…including the ones you've told her and the ones that came before her and the one that will come after her. Have you even told Dean yet?"
"Nah the Mojo bro doesn't know" said Enzo. "I'm the only one who knows…except God of course." As the two continued to stand outside, they were suddenly interrupted by Sasha and Alexa.
"Hey, what are you guys doing out here?" Sasha asked. "Shouldn't you be inside enjoying the party?" Enzo looked up at Sasha and saw the beautiful shiny strapless golden dress she was wearing, leaving him stunned. At the same time that this was happening, Cass' eyes widened as he realized who his best friend had perked up to.
"I don't know why you even bother to ask Eric" Alexa chimed in. "After all he's too stupid to even give you an honest straight answer. He doesn't have it in him to." "Now that's enough Alexis" said Cass. "Lay off of him." Alexa rolled her eyes. "You know what Mercedes, I'll just meet you back inside. I can't stand the fact of having to see him anymore than necessary."
"Sure I won't be long" said Sasha. "The ball's about to drop." She waited until Alexa was back inside before she made her way over towards the two. "What are you guys doing out here in the cold while there's a pretty dope ass party going on inside…you know in the warmth?"
Cass turned to Enzo and removed his hands. Silence remained amongst the group as the sound of Beyoncé's "7/11" played in the background. "You know what…it's probably none of my business" Sasha said. "I'll just go ahead and make a phone call and you two can keep on acting like weirdos."
"You're makin' a call to who?" Enzo asked softly. Cass once again gave him a confused look. "My mother Eric" said Sasha irritably. "After all, I like to Facetime her when the ball drops. I mean who else I'd be calling at this time?" "Oh" Enzo said. "Take a walk with me bro" Cass said as he led Enzo away from the limo and towards the entrance of the venue.
"Is it her?" Cass whispered harshly. Enzo nodded. "Holy shit dude" Cass smirked. "When this happened?" "Nothing like that has happened yet" said Enzo. "My boy I'm surprised" said Cass. "Because usually be now you would have been hit at least twice by now." "It was only a kiss" said Enzo. "I reallyyy good ass one." "You kissed her!?" Cass whispered harshly. "How are you more surprised that I kissed her than if I had fucked her?" Enzo said.
"Because" said Cass. "It means you really like her. You haven't felt that way since-" "I don't wanna talk about her" said Enzo. "Or the other one. I don't care how many years go by. The pain still hurts the same." "So man, I mean what are you going to do?" Cass asked. "I mean you're pretty deep in with Mandy-pun intended."
Enzo chuckled. "I don't know man" he said as he watched Sasha reenter the venue. "Looks like you're going to have a pretty interesting year ahead of you" said Cass. "Yeah I guess so" said Enzo. "Dude you're gonna have to go after her" said Cass. "Are you forgetting one major problem?" Enzo said. "She's best friends with my ex-er-another one that I've burned and as I'm sure that we're both pretty all aware of here is that she still hates my fucking guts and it's been over a year."
"Yeah…15 months hasn't healed any of those wounds" said Cass. "But love conquers all…99% of the time." "I feel like I'm in some sort of Shakespearian story" said Enzo. "I'm surprised you paid attention in history class" said Cass. "It was actually English and no I didn't. I was too busy talking to girls and having them do the work for me…but that's another story."
"Anyways, so how it happened?" asked Cass. "When we were in that elevator, we were arguing back in forth forever but I don't know" said Enzo. "Despite her trash talking, I just had this overwhelming instinct to protect her and so I did but when we were talking we both just sort of…kissed each other and it felt…amazing. Like the whole fuckin' world stopped or somethin'."
"Whoa that's pretty deep dude" said Cass. "You never talk about Mandy like this." "Guess not" said Enzo. Carmella opened the door. "You guys, the ball's dropping in 2 minutes. Let's go" she said. "Hey" said Cass. "This conversation isn't over and I'm gonna want the deets. All of 'em."
"Well we obviously can't discuss this at my place" said Enzo. "Come over in a few place to mine" said Cass. "This is important." The two went back inside to join their girlfriends as they watch the ball drop officially turning 2016 into 2017. Although he was relieved to have finally told someone his secret, he couldn't quite shake the feeling that this year was going to be a rather uneasy one…
A/N: Review if you wish for it to be continued and to let me know your thoughts.
~Emerald loves Sapphire~