"I arrived early," Mei explained. They say the early bird gets the worm, but with my girls, you got a man.
We laughed, and I scanned the room, pleased. It was a real celebration, and despite my parents' absence, I managed to find a group willing to celebrate with me. I let myself breathe. On the far end of the room, I spotted Bruno, with his meticulously styled black hair, expensive suit, and eyes that carried a mysterious expression. When he headed in our direction, my body wanted to react, but Olivia leaned in and whispered, "Oh great. This trash just keeps recycling itself."
I chuckled, grateful she could always be counted on for a laugh.
"Stop. He's almost here," Mei warned.
"Hi. Ladies, it's been a long time."
"Not long enough," Olivia said without bothering to smile.
Bruno chuckled. "Your loyalty was what I liked the most about you."
I shook my head because he just accidentally gave her an opening.
"Maybe you can take a few lessons on loyalty the next time a slut like Monique walks into your life."
"Olivia, this isn't the place. It's Alex's big night, don't ruin it," Demetria said, then turned back to Bruno. "Staying in New York or running back to California?"
Bruno looked at me, then back to her. "Don't worry, I'm leaving."
The whole time he'd been over here, Mei's gaze burned into me. I shifted, suddenly too aware of every inch of myself under her silent scrutiny. Frustrated, I faced her, and she shrugged. Mei was always like that. While the other two argued their sides, she usually waited to see what you wanted and backed you. I honestly loved that about her.
"Well, it was nice you came to the launch party before going," I said as all three women watched.
He nodded slowly. "You deserve the best, Alex. Congratulations."
"Thank you," I said, then returned to the three spectators.
Bruno took his leave, and I quickly turned to Demetria. "Don't say it. I made my decision, that is it."
She stared at me for a long while before nodding.
"OK. Fuck Bruno, what happened to your parents?" Olivia asked, and it made me wish we'd stuck to Bruno. Somehow, I felt more alone than I'd ever been. Yet, technically no one was leaving willingly. I was the one pushing.
I had such good reasons, or so I thought.
Mei wrapped an arm around me. "I'm here."
"Bitch. Am I not also standing here?" Olivia asked.
Demetria chuckled. "We're all here for you."
There was a time I thought this was all I needed. My girlfriends. Now that it might be all I had, I wasn't so sureanymore. At that moment I was swimming in thoughts, as the music thumped around me, as my best friends embraced me to celebrate my accomplishments. I hugged them back, or at least my body did.
My eyes locked on Bruno at the far end of the venue as he walked out.
He did not look back. Not once.
Olivia squeezed tighter, shouting something about success and profits, but it all muffled in my ears.
He was gone.
And I shouldn't care.
I was the one who told him to go.
A single tear slid down my cheek.
