Chapter 6

"Ouch! What’s your problem?" Sandra complained as her friend’s grip tightened on her arm.

"Problem? You’re my problem!"

Jessica pulled her phone from her handbag. " What’s this text supposed to mean? You don’t want to stay here anymore. You want to move out. Just like that? Do you have any idea how exhausting it is, dealing with your constant change of mind?"

"That was last night. If you were really that worried, why are you only coming now?" Sandra teased, laughing at her friend’s exaggerated reaction.

"I’m a busy woman, Sandra! Even checking my phone is on a schedule. Do you have any idea I canceled an interview after reading your text just so I could come here?!"

"I’m sorry… I just panicked last night," Sandra replied softly, a hint of guilt in her voice. "I had another bad dream again."

Jessica fell silent. She stepped closer to her downcast friend, took hold of both her arms and gently turned her to face her.

"Are you okay? Did you get hurt? You should have called me! Oh, right, you did! Then you should have kept calling until I picked up!"

The famous woman’s earlier fury was now replaced by unmistakable worry and panic.

Jessica could never forget what Sandra went through whenever she had those dreams. From the ages of seven to ten, it had been a pattern, crying through the night whenever she dreamt of her parents. She had also witnessed her friend go as long as three days without eating or speaking every time depression gripped her.

And yet, despite the bouts of depression, Sandra had still been a cheerful child especially when they were together. She was kind and had her own unique way of showing affection. Sandra was the easiest person to love that Jessica had ever met, which was why she wasn’t surprised that, at times, it felt as though her own mother loved Sandra even more than her.

But everything changed when they entered their teenage years. Sandra became more withdrawn, refusing to interact with anyone except Jessica and her mother. She kept getting strange. There were times she would cut her own hair. She hated it the most when people gave her attention. Jessica had even once caught her trying to drown herself in the swimming pool.

Sandra grew up believing her life was nothing like that of other children. She was convinced that for every good thing that happened to her, something tragic would follow. She rejected anyone who showed her love or admiration. She was contented having Jessica and Marta around.

After high school, she vanished. She ran away from home and left no trace. Years passed in silence until, in Jessica’s fourth year of college, a phone call from her mother shattered the stillness: Sandra, the long-lost friend she thought she’d never see again, had finally returned home.

Jessica noticed a significant change in Sandra. She had regained her cheerful spirit. She did whatever she wanted to do. She had become brave and adventurous. Only one thing had stayed the same….she still wasn’t friendly.

"Don’t worry too much about me," Sandra said with a smile. "I didn’t come to New York to have a famous babysitter."

She looked at Jessica’s worried face, and slowly, a pang of guilt settled in her chest when she noticed the exhaustion and lack of sleep etched on her friend’s features. She regretted adding to her burdens, so she decided to lighten the mood.

"It’s actually nice living in a fancy place. Everything here is beautiful. The swimming pool, the gym, the view… Ahhh, I’m starting to realize it’s really great having a rich friend," she said with a playful smile, making sure her friend could hear the appreciations.

"Ahh… it must be nice to cook breakfast for my kind friend," she added, glancing at Jessica. Her mood instantly lightened when she saw she had made her smile. "Go on, just rest there for a while and we’ll have a nice breakfast," she said warmly.

Sandra moved quickly in the kitchen, frying bacon and eggs, then preparing toasted bread spread with Jessica’s favorite strawberry jam.

"Looks like I only have instant coffee here. Is that okay with you?" she asked. Then, just to be sure, she repeated, "Is that okay with you?"

She headed to the living room when no reply came. A smile touched her lips when she saw her friend fast asleep, snoring softly. Jessica was lying face down on the couch, only part of her head resting on a throw pillow. She was still wearing her high heels, one arm dangling toward the floor.

Her chest felt heavy while watching Jessica's exhausted look. Was her friend truly happy with her life?

Even as a child, Sandra had known it was Jessica’s dream to be famous and wealthy, to give her mother a better life. She was happy for her that she had achieved what she had long desired. And yet, a small part of Sandra couldn’t help but worry. Jessica had sacrificed so much to get here. She might have reached the highest heights, but deep down, she was still the girl who found the most joy in life’s simple things.