“I’m sick of this. We’re done, Sarah.”
“Jane, I can work on this! We can work on it! We can fix us! Please don’t-“ “we can’t fix this, because it starts broken! When you’re done being a crazy bitch, you can call me. Until then…” the woman grasped her bag, slamming a five-dollar bill on the table to pay for her drink. “Please, Sarah, just leave me alone.”
She watched with shame in her eyes as the woman exited the cafe. She marched out into her familiar car, pulling out of the parking lot as fast as legally possible. That was the second time in the past month someone left her in such a manor. Sarah wiped her damn eyes with her sleeve, glancing out the frost-covered window.
She had time to think, considering she told her roommate and best friend she’d be out for at least another hour. She contemplated what the issue was with each passing relationship she had since the beginning of college. Each person she met was lovely at first, but turned sour as they got to know her better. After enough breakdowns and nightmares, they got tired of her.
“The problem is me. I’m unlovable.”
“Now I find that hard to believe.”
Sarah glanced up to see her roommate standing behind the chair across from her.
Brooke’s short, red locks were in sweet curls, a beanie containing them with snowflakes dusted over. Her freckled cheeks stung with the crisp air she had just walked in, cotton sleeves in her hands. “What are you doing here?” “Wanted coffee, I like this cafe. Mind if I sit? You look a little sad.”
She nodded slightly, listening to the chair squeak against the tile as she sat down. “So, what’s the 411 on Jane? She working or somethin’?” “She’s not coming back.”
Brooke’s usual smile faded as she looked at her roommate. “Damn, what happened?” “She left me. She said I was a crazy bitch.”
Brooke hesitated before reacting. She turned towards the door, her gloved hands with exposed fingertips in tight fists. “That bitch is so dead!”
“Ruby, just sit down. I’m not in the mood to drag your sorry ass back to our apartment.”
She glanced back at Sarah, slowly nodding. “Okay Saph’. Let’s head home to talk, so we don’t have to worry about these people.”
Brooke ordered some coffee, Sarah gathered hers, and they headed for their apartment.
“I can’t believe she’d say something like that. I mean, she was kind of a bitch, but I didn’t think she was that bad.”
Brooke sat beside Sarah on their couch, a warm mug full of coffee in her hands. “That’s just bitchy.”
“You’re telling me.”
Sarah tossed another tissue into the trash can beside her, sniffling quietly. “I just didn’t expect her to make a scene.” “That’s Jane for you. She gets off on attention.” Brooke scoffed lightly, meeting Sarah’s irritated eyes.
“Saph’, your mascara’s running.”
She set her mug down on the coffee table, reaching a warm hand towards her cheek. Sarah flinched, but relaxed once her palm made contact with her cheek. Brooke wiped away streaks of dull black liquid. “Don’t let her fuck with you. She doesn’t deserve it. She doesn’t deserve you.”
“You’re right. She deserves someone mentally stable.” “Oh bullshit.”
In all honesty, she was entirely shocked at her words. “W-what?”
“You’re perfect the way you are, sugar. Jane can go fuck herself, you’re wonderful. Even I’m not worthy to be your friend.”
She mumbled the next statement under her breath.
‘Although, I wish we were more.’
“You don’t need someone like that.”
Sarah heard. She heard every word from her mouth. Her eyes met Brooke’s bright ones. There was a small hesitation before her actions.
“You’re right.”
Sarah grasped Brooke’s face with both hands, and pressed their lips together.
The contact stung as cold met warm. Once the heat transferred, it was comforting. Brooke certainly thought so. She kissed back with sweet passion, her chest fluttering.
Sarah spoke once she pulled away.
“I deserve someone like you.”
“W-what do you mean, Saph’?”
She pulled her hands away, setting them in her lap.
“We’re the only people that understand what the other went through. We get each other. We can deal with the other’s problems, because we share them.”
“You’re starting to sound like some cheesy romance movie from the 80s.” “And that’s fine. Brooke, this could work. I’m up for it if you are.”
Brooke smiled, reaching for Sarah’s hands. She didn’t flinch at the contact. She let Brooke lace their fingers together.
“I certainly am, Sarah.”
