◦◦ 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, I don’t have 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
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ The next morning “Oh...you’re being serious!?” Erin’s amused smirk slowly disappeared as she let what I just blurted out about Kate’s heartfelt confession fully sink in. Leaning forward with brazen energy, she whisper hissed inches away from my indignant face. “Dude why didn’t you leadwith that?Now I feel like an asshole!" I mimicked the sassy expression she wore only seconds ago before throwing my hands up helplessly, and swallowing with nervous distress as she eased back into her seat. “Well that’s all great and everything else but um,yeah.Did you think I was fucking with you or something? Me, putting forth ashit tonof effort at nine in the morning for ajoke?What a droll notion. You knowvery wellI don’t just jump out of bed at this hour for any minuscule thing. Also, lead withwhat!?&nb
❋ Erin ❋ My wildest dreams have finally come true; How did the universe KNOW I wanted some hunky Italian man’s scorching hot coffee romantically splashed all over my poor breasts, with an audience here commemorating the moment? I could officially die ‘happy’ now. “Cavalo!I didn’t see you, Miss. Please accept mysincerest—” A deep, concerned voice cut through my internal rant like a hot knife slicing into butter. The husky and foreign sound of it alone was enough to make my already restless knees buckle. Watching that captivating pair of lush lips maneuver their way around at least fifty different apologies, I momentarily forgot about my own pain and swooned a little. I’vealwaysbeen a sucker for gorgeous Mediterranean types, man or woman, and this one didn’t disappoint my eyes the way he had my brand new silk camisole. It wassoakedwith triple shot e
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ I havedearlydeparted Motina to thank for my unhealthy shopping addiction. I’m not sure how it started exactly, but knew I shared her penchant for all things new, luxurious, and expensive since the touchy age of fourteen. While I’d been awkwardly stepping into my sexuality and forever trying to hide the persistent odor of booze on my breath, mother’s presence at our estate became scarcer than ever before. She usually rushed back into Naples a couple days prior to father’s return from whatever business he was handling, eagerly inviting me into their massive master bedroom so she could show off her limited addition handbags and custom spun silks. I always wondered what it felt like to be loved by someone the way Motina unconditionally loved her expanding wardrobe. Though I enjoyed looking at and touching what was handed over for me to admire, mom’s flowery feminine tastes didn’t match mine. The numerous stacks o
❀ Kate ❀ I ran like demons from hell were chasing me. My feet became a blur after some time, hardly recognizable as they slapped against the sleek black belt with ferocity. I wasn’t paying attention to anything else happening around me at LA Fitness, focusing on numbers and numbers alone. How many calories I was burning, howgoodit felt to expel my stored energy; Watching my heart rate steadily climb. I hadn’t trainedthis hardsince meeting Sawyer, not even for the competition I backed out of, and man were my sore muscles feeling it. Cursing under ragged breath, I quietly vowed never to miss another pre-planned gym session again. Especially not to sit on my ass and eat fattening ice cream at one in the afternoon, with someone who obviously didn’t take me seriously. After suffering from last night’s embarrassment, I only wanted to do one thing; Run, and I was. Running, running,running m
◦◦ Sawyer ◦◦ Later that same evening “....I just think it’sfunnnny...”I drawled, leaning toward Erin’s shell shaped bathroom mirror slightly as I applied an even coat of cherry lip balm to my pout. “I’ve never met someone so flighty before; Seems like Kate always chooses the difficult route and honestly dudeI’m tired.We’re running in circles at this point. If she doesn’t give a fuck, why should I? Why is italways mepaying for shit I never asked for!?” “Mmmmmmm.” Erin glanced up from painting her right pinky toe, and I caught her humming in thought when I turned to the left for some validation. Perched at the end of her modern porcelain soaking tub, she screwed the top of my favorite coral nail polish (the one I let Erin borrow a few months ago) back into place and exhaled heavily. I could practically feel pity floating in the air as she did so. “Go eas
♬ Blythe ° “So...Sawyer,” I started with a calm smile, chewing the bottom portion of my lip in thought as she poured her third shot since we’d settled at a community table, beside a round built-in ceramic hot tub. The dusky air was calm all around us, save for a light salty breeze making it’s presence known by stimulating my nostrils. Her curious blue eyes shifted in my direction for a brief second before returning to their post; A rather large clay glass used for hammering tequila like I’ve honestly never seen before. One forearm resting against the table, I watched Sawyer’s slender fingers tap lightly in my peripheral view as she eased back into her chair. When addressing someone, I like to maintain eye contact. It’s respectful. “That’s my naaaaameee...a damn stupid one too if you ask me.” She slurred with a sarcastic giggle after a moment. Lifting her shot glass up, the beautiful tow-headed blonde began to laugh obnoxiously. “I mean, what girls do