The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop

The Fuzzy End of the Lollipop, Chapter Fifteen

The next day Sally walked into work with bloodshot eyes and a very sore head.

"Jesus Christ," said Ross, trying not to laugh, "You look worse than Clyde."

Sally tried to smile and concentrated hard on not being sick.

"What the actual fuck," shouted Clyde as Sally walked into the office. "You scared me half to death last night. Where the hell did you go? I was looking for you for hours and then I rang you like a thousand times."

Sally threw off her coat and rubbed her forehead with, "Uhh Clyde no shouting my head is killing me."

"Of course your head is killing you, you maniac. Where the hell did you go last night?"

"I went home."

"Yeah right, you look like you went to one of those crazy clubs you are always talking about. Your eyes are all red and what are those bruises on your arm? Did you do them?"

Sally laughed, "Clyde chill out, I am fine."

"It's not funny, you scared me last night. Anything could have happened to you."

"Oh come on Clyde," said Sally grabbing him by the shoulders, "I am fine honestly."

Clyde shook his head, "Maya's right, there is something going on with you at the moment. Sally turned red and opened her mouth to say something but no words came out. They had been talking about her again, how dare they, but her body was too tired to get angry so she ran to the bathroom and stayed there until the tears stopped running down her face.

On her lunch break, the hunger pangs kicked in and Sally's stomach felt well enough to buy two meal deals from Burger King. She inhaled one after the other sitting on the wall behind the pub.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Asked Maya as she sat down next to her and cracked open a can of Coke. She took a sip and then handed it to Sally.

"Thanks," said Sally as she swallowed down the sugary liquid, "I should have got one of those."

"Coca-Cola is the best hangover cure."

"How would you know?" Sally teased.

"I have been drunk before," Maya said defensively, "I just don't like it."

Sally pointed to her red eyes and trembling hands, "What's not to like about this?"

Maya laughed, "I know, I am really missing out." Sally nodded and went to take another bite of her burger.

"So what's going on with you?" Asked Maya, making Sally immediately lose her appetite.

"What do you mean?"

"Well you go out every day after work and Clyde said you ran away last night."

Sally rolled her eyes, "I am fine. I am just enjoying myself, that's all. Seriously Maya, you need to stop worrying."

"Toni really misses you. She had not seen you in ages."

Sally's jaw tightened, "I am sure she does not miss me that much."

"She does," Maya urged. "She wants to know all the gossip about you and Tomas. What's happening with you guys anyway?"

The brick wall buckled. Quickly, Sally tried to think of another lie but her hungover brain couldn't work fast enough.

"He... erm...We aren't really seeing each other anymore."

Maya swivelled around so her knees touched Sally's. "Oh no! Why? What happened?" Sally shuffled away so their legs no longer touched. "It was nothing."

"I am so sorry, are you okay?"

"I am fine."

"Ugh, what a fucking asshole! Guys are such idiots

"I am fine, really," said Sally, keeping her body as far away from Maya as the little wall would allow. "It's nothing, I knew him for like two seconds."

"I know," Maya turned away and faced forward again. "It's just... You really liked him and it sucks when that happens. Trust me, I know. I have been there before.

"I am fine, seriously."

"Do you want to come round mine tonight? We could make cookies or something. Like I said Toni would love to see you, it's been ages since we have hung out."

"No." Sally shook her head, "I just want to go to bed."

Maya sighed, "Okay. Just, let me know if you want to talk."

"Sure," said Sally as she stood up and went back inside, leaving Maya alone on the wall.