and changes in the firm so I don’t know when I’ll see him again. Do you think I should call since he hasn’t really called me back?”
Sasha couldn’t give her an honest answer considering her own inexperience in such situations but she put on a brave face. “I don’t think there would be any harm in being the initiator. This time maybe you should be the one to ask him out.”
They both watched as Faye and Jaelynn made their way over. Sasha took in a deep breath almost as if in preparation for a storm. Putting on a smile, she welcomed them with a hello. Dina said nothing, preferring to watch the dynamic between the three.
“So”, Faye started, “I heard from Teagan that you are with Dmitri.” Jaelynn said nothing, obviously very intoxicated as she swayed back and forth with a silly grin on her face.
Sasha was taken aback by Faye’s directness but waved it off as just friendly interest. “Yes, we actually started dating. I’m very excited!” As she expressed this, she felt a chill in her spine as Faye’s face turned into a grimace.
“Well…I wonder how long it’ll last.”
Dina, seeing the eventual turn of the conversation, intercepted. She realized in that moment just how naïve and innocent Sasha was. Could she not see that Faye was not at all trying to congratulate her? This person was not a friend! “Judging from what I’ve seen of them, I think they have as good a chance at becoming serious as anyone else.”
Faye ignored her. She leaned in closer to Sasha and grasped her chin in sweaty fingers. Sasha could smell the hard liquor on her breath as she whispered, “Count your blessings because there is no way in hell a hot guy like Dmitri could ever stay interested in someone like you.” Jaelynn giggled and expressed her agreement in a drunkenly loud voice, “You got that right, girl!”
Rage encompassed Sasha’s body as she saw in red. Shoving Faye’s hand off her face, she stood up and began to walk away. Something stopped her though. She remembered the many times Faye had given her a backhanded compliment or flat out mistreated her. This was supposed to be the night that she built a bridge in her friendship with both of them but now it seemed almost impossible. She wanted to believe that Faye’s hurtful remarks were only a result of a night of drinking but knew that alcohol usually brought out the truth. Faye had no filter that night, not that she tended to use it anyway.
“You know, I wanted to be your friend,” Sasha revealed to Faye. “I thought we were. How could you say that to me? Have you always disliked me?”
At first, Faye said nothing to this. “First he chooses Teagan. Which I can understand to a certain extent. But then…you! Look at me, Sasha!” She gestured to her figure in the skintight dress. “I was offered a fucking modeling career! You’re nothing but a short, fat black virgin! You will never compare.” In her drunken rant she stood up and pointed a well-manicured finger in Sasha’s direction accusingly.
Dina, having heard enough and frustrated with Sasha’s lack of response at Faye’s insults, stood up as well. She grabbed Faye’s blond locks from behind and pulled. Shoving the screaming blonde down onto the couch, Dina pressed a hand down onto her shoulder and spoke confidently, “Listen you blonde bitch, if you ever speak that way to Sasha again I will personally come and kick your skinny ass!”
Faye shoved her hand away and scowled as Sasha pulled on Dina’s arm.
“Don’t Dina. Let’s just go,” Sasha stated firmly.
Reluctantly, Dina moved away. Her fists curled in anger as Faye yelled back after them, “Go, Sasha! And take that fat, ghetto bitch with you!”
After ensuring that Teagan had a ride back to the apartment, both Dina and Sasha made their way from the club to Dina’s car. While pulling away from the curb, Dina glanced over at Sasha and saw her in a daze. Her face was completely blank, almost as if she hadn’t fully taken in