The exchange seemed forced. From where I was standing, it looked like my dad was hesitantly offering Evgeniya a seat next to him. She slid into the booth, and then their eyes traveled to my direction. I clenched my jaw, feeling the same lead sensation in my legs as I did at Sky Harbor airport.Why did I do this? What a mistake! I debated running for my life out of that damn restaurant, but my father was suddenly beside me before I could regain the feeling in my lower extremities. Sensing my infuriating aura, he took a step forward to speak lowly.“Before you say anything, I didn’t know she was coming Vasha.” His expression was gentle. I narrowed my eyes at him, and stared into the same exact one’s I had to determine if he was lying. “I swear to you, Vasilisa. She’s here picking up supper for...” He faltered for a second, then shook his head with a scoff. “Anyway, while she’s here for a few min

"What are you doing back here, in Russia?" With a perfectly red manicured hand, Olya took a long drink from her margarita and raked over my frame with her darkened amber eyes."It's a long story, really." I replied tightly, looking off to the side. The last exchange I had with my EX girlfriend, Olya Frolova, was a disaster. Closing my eyes, I can picture the scene as if it happened just yesterday.********************A year and two months ago“Vasha? Get up, it’s closing time.” A well known female voice urged out of nowhere.“Ngghhhhh, no. Go away, Olya.” I groaned, too dizzy to slide off the bar stool. I heard shouting not far from me, but I couldn’t be bothered enough to even lift my head. The table underneath me ceased to feel cool and all I wanted was another drink. It was always another damn drink. "I need one more..." I attempted to ask, but the words were muffled since m

Francine isn’t answering any of my phone calls, and has logged out of VK completely so she won’t see my messages right away.She made it very clear how badly my actions hurt her, and brushed off my every attempt to explain myself. It’s been forty five minutes since she rushed me off the phone in tears, and aside from trying to get her to call me back, all I’ve been able to do is stare at my VK account in anger. I’m in the settings portion, under blocked users. Olya’s name is screaming at me in bold letters. Up until a year ago, she’d always been one of my top friends on this site. I never would have thought she’d wind up here, but it happened so fast. After we had sex, Olya playfully took my phone and re-added herself to my friend’s list. Taking a drag off my cigarette, I’d been too busy staring at her ceiling cursing myself for what I’d done to care.********************A ye

Evgeniya lived about 20 miles away from my father, in a small home. Wooden cottage style. I parked my vehicle and double-checked my messages to make sure I had the right place. When I was sure, I surveyed the structure gravely. It was a dark brown house, crafted out of logs and various sturdy materials. Just like you’d see with classic housing, the brick chimney produced a thick cloud of grey smoke. Watching it release into the cold starless night, I reluctantly slid out of my car and grabbed three packages from the backseat. In Russia, we always bring gifts when we’re visiting. Even if the hostess is the mother who abandoned us as a child. I felt the scowl creeping up and struggled to hide it. You’re here to talk. You came on your own, don’t be rude. I scolded myself silently, trudging up to Evgeniya’s front door. Before I could change my mind, I quickly knocked three times.Knock, knock, knock

Nicole (Brody’s) Point of View:I knew it wasn’t fair. None of it was, to anybody. I didn’t want my friends to start thinking of me as some shitty flake, but I couldn’t tell anyone why I broke up with Liza yet. Mainly because it’d affect everyone else, too.There’s something about Francine though. We’ve always understood each other on another level, and I’ve found myself in situations where I could tell her shit I’d never even spoken out loud before. That includes to Olivia, and Livys been my best friend since grade school.I arrived at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago almost a week ago. It’s surreal being back here, after going through the program myself at one time. At this point in my life, I’ve served six grueling years and clawed my way up the ranks. Many of my fellow Officers report under me now, and I’ll admit it’s strange ordering peopl