The Other Side Of Paradise

V

Onika Tanya Maraj

Onika sat on her break, she knew she was being eyed. She liked working at a beach club because she got to eat for free, and could use the services when she wanted to.

She sipped on her water, eyeing it. She thought it tasted bland.

"This sucks." She mumbled. She spends her whole day sitting on a chair making sure people don't die—and getting hit on.

She was waiting it out till her shift was over—her phone was in her locker to avoid it getting damaged in anyway—she also knew the battery was only around 70 percent.

"Nicki. You're off." She heard from the bartender and she immediately grinned. "Thanks Nate." She said and made her way to the locker rooms.

She stepped in the shower—she didn't like spending too much time in the locker rooms. She got dressed quickly, before hearing her phone buzz.

She saw 2 messages, from 2 different people.

Lauren
Meet me outside after your shift
see you

She ignored the other one and immediately grabbed all of her belongings—it wasn't a lot she didn't have her usual stuff.

She walked out the locker room and made her way to the employee parking lot, before seeing a familar tall blonde.

"Hey Beyoncé." Onika said and Beyoncé turned around in surprise with a smile. "Oh uh—hey! What's uh—up?" Beyoncé asked.

"Nothin. I'm heading—somewhere. Thanks for driving me this morning. " Onika said and Beyoncé shrugged.

"It's fine. I enjoyed it.  It was peaceful. Just how I like it." Beyoncé said and Onika smiled a bit at that.

"I'll see you later." Onika said and Beyoncé just nodded watching her go till she realized she didn't say anything back.

"S-See you later!" Beyoncé yelled.

Onika continued walking to the employee parking lot, seeing Lauren texting on her phone till she looked up and smiled at Onika.

"Hey." Onika said softly.

"Hey. You okay? You look like..." Lauren trailed off Onika chuckled a bit.

"Like shit?" Onika asked.

"..like you need an outlet." Lauren said making eye contact with Onika.

Onika gulped, her anxiety spiked a bit. Onika knew the meaning to "outlet" for lauren.

"I probably shouldn't Lauren." Onika mumbled. "Are you saying that cause you mean it—or are you saying it because you sister loves meddling in your life?" Lauren asked quirking an eyebrow.

Onika didn't answer verbally.

That's all Lauren needed to know.

"Cars unlocked. You coming?"

Onika threw her bag in the back— and sat in the front seat with the window rolled down. "You still like staring out the window?" Lauren asked and Onika nodded.

"It calms me." Onika said softly.

The ride was mostly silent, till they pulled up to Lauren's apartment. Lauren got out of the car and opened her car door for her so she could step out.

Lauren took Onikas hand, walking through her apartments  lobby—they still didn't say much to each other even in the elevator.

Onika followed her as she unlocked her door, Onika was anxious. Extremely anxious.