❀ Kate ❀
Four days later
SMS: Hey, I just got here. Is the door unlocked? I brought the groceries you asked for and thought we could talk about my competition. We should go over your and dad's flight details, if you’re feeling up for it.
Sitting in my parent’s narrow driveway, I took a second to breathe after running around literally all day and shot a quick text to my mom. Something seemed off about our brief phone conversation during lunch hour this afternoon, but I reminded myself of her unpredictable nature to keep myself from obsessing.
Mom barely responded, and sounded distracted when she did acknowledge whatever I was saying at that moment. I started to tell her about Sawyer, but stopped when I realized she couldn’t give me the maternal affirmations I craved after the fact.
It’s something I’ve come to accept; She hasn’t been the sa
❀ Kate ❀ I studied Sawyer’s beautiful face with caution while she waited on an explanation I wasn’t sure how to give. She was glaring pointedly, sapphire hued passion radiating from her pained eyes as each agonizing second ticked by. Everything from the perplexed crease in my girlfriend’s blonde brow, to the way she rested her chin against the palm of her hand exhumed an impatience I’ve come to expect out of Sawyer Driscoll. It was among one of her more irritating personality traits. The one I’m having the hardest time dealing with at the moment is her tendency of doing whatever the hell she wants without consulting those involved first. Who the fuck justbuysa plane ticket out of nowhere like that!?- “Well? Aren’t you going to answer me?” Sawyer snapped suddenly, raising her wine glass so she could take a hearty drink. The question was spoken with disdain, and I started experiencing mixed emotions while racking my brain for somet
♬ Blythe ° The next evening “Hey! Welcome to ‘All Five Inside’. First time here?” Jesus, what a name for a lesbian bar; Are the fingers included?A familiar voice echoed inside my mind, itching for fun ways to irk me as usual. I was quick to show Nixx my mild irritation.Really? What do you think, smart ass!? Giggling, that annoying fuckinggigglingwas going to put me six feet under.It was a good question! Lighten up a little, Blythe. I’d not had three seconds to ease into a vacant bar stool near the end of the long counter I was resting my arms against, when an occupied looking bartender reached over politely to hand me a paper menu. Ignoring my alter’s mischievous mood, I cast a curious eye at the curvy carrot top who already seemed like she hadwaytoo much to do before I popped in. Poor frazzled girl’s silver
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ Forty Five Minutes later “Yousureyou’re ready for this, Sawyer?” Blythe challenged with a competitive smirk over the club’s blaring music almost an hour into making each other’s acquaintance. Positioned between her thumb and forefinger was a simple glinting quarter I’d happily provided at her request, which she prepared to spin on the marbled counter in front of our eyes. “We’re neck and neck...this is the deciding game; Remember what’s at stake!” Oh, I hadn’t forgotten and was looking forward to emerging victorious. Most of the crowd malingering around from earlier dispersed onto the epic dance floor or elsewhere entirely, leaving Blythe and I pretty much alone—inches away from touching elbows and partaking in several outlandish drinking contests. In between, we'd been discussing her exciting life in Brooklyn and the beauty of Classical music. Secretly, I used to love when m
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ Fifteen Years Ago, Naples Florida “Oh shoot, I better get home. My moms gonna kill me if I’m late again. Bye, Sawyer!” I looked up from the chalk drawing Chelsea and I had been working on together for the last four hours and frowned with confusion. “Really? But the street lights haven’t even come on yet!” She gave me an apologetic smile and swung her bright pink Mismo backpack over a shoulder. Brunette curls began bouncing as she briskly walked away from where I still knelt on the sidewalk. “I’ll see if I can stay longer tomorrow, and we’ll finish it. Okay?” Well I guess that wouldn’t be too bad, I’m getting hungry anyway and mom promised she’d be home to cook tonight. I stood up with a hopeful half smile and cupped my hands over my mouth so Chelsea could hear me better. “I’ll hold you to it! Same place, after school.” “Yep!” My friend quipped back with that carefree wave
♬ Blythe ° An hour later “That’ll be...$30.16, please.” The young twenty something holding my and Sawyer’s greasy brown take-out bag, consisting of two Philly cheese steak sandwiches and a large order of crinkle cut french fries, peered at his receipt tapped onto the front of it as if to double-check my total. Sounds about right; Eating out isn’t cheap. I nodded agreeably and handed over a crisp $50.00 dollar bill. As we were making the exchange, he started unzipping the company owned bright red pouch around his waist. “How much back?” I’d really like to thank this graveyard employee properly, but I don’t see a name badge anywhere. I waved him off kindly with a small smile. “That’s all you, thanks for making the run so late. Have a good night.” Aside from a handful of nearby pizzerias, there didn’t seem to be many other options, and Sawyer loves this place so I figured we better go with i
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ The next morning My entire life seems to be an ongoing series of bad decisions, written by some sadistic design; One epic fuck up after the next without any planned season finales. It’s remarkable really...because unlike most naturally unfortunate people who have every right to bitch and moan over their situations, Idon’thave an excuse for the trouble I find myself in. Shitty upbringing aside, I’ve come to realize I’m the sole cause for my own laughable melodramatic existence. No pawns, no quick and easy explanations; Just entirely too much alcohol combined with an apathetic nature. In this latest episode, one can find me quickly dressing back into last night’s attire after spending days avoiding my new girlfriend at every turn, in a mysterious stranger’s hotel room at six thirty five A.M. Why the fuck are you staring, Sawyer!? That’s the exact opposite of what you SHOULD be doing!
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ “So what are you going to do? Trash it, or give her a call?” Erin was sitting cross legged on my white vegan leather couch, slowly drinking the last of a breakfast style mimosa I mixed up for her, as she intently watched me stare at Blythe’s business card for the hundred thousandth time since the morning I snagged it. Which coincidentally, was thesame morningI got that unexpected phone call, and found Erin parked in my apartment complex armed with profuse apologies over ending our friendship nearly a month ago. For as long as I’ve known her, she’s been stubborn as hell and usually didn’t look back after cutting people out of her life. Butme, she explained while crushing my exhausted body in a fierce hug, I wasn’t so easy to write off. We counted on each other in this harsh world, and even though we all knew I was a bitch to keep
❀ Kate ❀ Five hours ago, Virginia Beach “Dude—what the hellwas that!?”Tristan’s dumbfounded voice trailed close behind me as I hurried back to The Oceanfront Inn, head held high despite how desperate and lost I was feeling inside. “We're never going to hear the end of your little stunt back there! You wereso closeto winning this thing!Whywould you throw it all away!? What came up,exactly?” He wasn't wrong; I effortlessly sailed into the women's finals without breaking a sweat, and had been the talk of the beach all morning. Not a single one of my competitors wanted this as badly as I did, so I was anything but surprised to find everyone gaping at me in astonishment as I formally backed out and abruptly left the scene. Turns out my heart just wasn't in it like I thought it was. Not anymore. You’re doing the right thing Kate; Just tell him