The pitter-patter of her paws thumps against the floor, skidding to a stop at the front door where she does her excited dance of jumping around in circles.
It’s a race against the clock as I shuffle myself into Roman’s heavy-duty combat books and my oversized puffy brown winter jacket. I don’t even get the shoes completely on before throwing open the door and watching Shadow sprint out of the entryway, darting for her favorite spot under the tree to relieve herself.
Hobbling outside with my heel hanging out of the back of the boot, I plant myself on the stone steps, watching my little dog have the time of her life rolling around on the dewy grass.
Shadow is everything I wanted when I was a little girl, a companion I didn’t know I needed. I couldn’t have her then, but I’m sure fucking grateful for her now.
Her bark yelps over the sound of chirping birds and families living their own lives.
As I sit here, alone on this Saturday afternoon, I think about every person living in each of the homes on this block and wonder…
Are any of them happy?
Are their lives everything they dreamed they would be?
Do they have everything they ever desired?
Is anyone suffering?
Just like me?
It’s terrifying not to know what goes on behind their closed doors. And I can't help but think as I wrap my arms around my legs to rest my chin on my knee, is there anyone who needs help?
I so desperately needed someone to help me, and I had no one.
“Deep in thought!?”
I raise my head as I hear the shout, snapping my gaze to Sage, who is making her way over.
My eyes track her movements as she walks across the lawn. Her olive-green dress swishes around her brown, leather boot-covered feet before she stops in front of me.
“I was. How could you tell?” I ask, scooting over on my seat so she can drop down next to me.
“I was calling your name for a bit, but you were kind of just staring off into space.”
“Sorry about that.” I tuck my chin into my shoulder as my eyes track Shadow running across the lawn.
I can feel Sage’s eyes on me, hear the thoughts running through her head as she stares at the emptiness of my gaze. We haven't spent much time together. After everything that happened in December, I was too embarrassed to talk to Sage. She saw too much… experienced one of the worst moments of my life without even knowing me.
It was a lot, and talking to her seemed impossible. But I have no friends… I’m stuck home alone, all day while Roman and Ash do whatever it is they do, and I just… I need someone.
“You look nice,” I say after a few silent moments, trying my best to start a conversation, even though my anxiety is clawing a hole in my stomach, begging me to shut the hell up.
‘No one gives a shit what you have to say, Mira baby.’Dad’s voice grates through my ear canal, reminding me once again that I don’t matter.
“Thank you! I got this dress at this little boutique a couple of towns away. I was going to go there today with a friend of mine. Do you want to come? You can join us for our girls’ day!”
Before I can answer, tires come screeching around the corner, the aggressive sounds of Ash’s music streaming through the open windows as he stops in front of the house.
I hear the sharp intake of Sage’s breath and cut my gaze to hers, but her eyes are solely fixed on Ash. Her eyes track the way the wind tousles his golden locks as he steps from his vehicle. The scent of nicotine has always repulsed me, but Sage inhales like she’ll die if she doesn’t breathe in his secondhand smoke.
“Amira,” Ash greats as he walks up the stone pathway, food swinging loosely from his fingers. A sharp whistle cuts through the air as he lifts his darkly lit glasses, eyeing Sage up and down before sucking back on the cigarette dangling between his lips. “Well, don’t you just look so fucking pretty, darling.”
I should leave before they decide to fuck on the stairs. Surely with the heat building between them at this moment, it’ll happen soon.
“Thank you,” Sage mumbles, her ivory skin turning the deepest shade of crimson red.
“So, what are you two talking about? Fill me in, ladies. I hate to be excluded.”
