Circles - Post Malone

Five

"One hot coco with mini marshmallows and a chocolate swirl bun for the princess of my heart," Austin says placing Gina's order in front of her. "And one black coffee for the little stray stripper," he says putting Dahlia's coffee in front of her then slides in next to Gina. "What are you having?" Gina asks. "Just a black coffee," he answers like he hasn't just been giving Dahlia shit about her ordering the same thing. "There is nothing wrong with strippers. It's an honest job. They should be respected," Dahlia blurts out then immediately regrets her little outburst. Stupid girl.

Austin looks at her with a smirk on his face, "I never said there was anything wrong with strippers. I love strippers," he says. Gina takes a sip of her coco and groans at how good it tastes. Her groan catches Austin's attention and he laughs a little when he sees some froth on her top lip. "You have some..." he says pointing to his own lip. Gina giggles and wipes it off as Austin smiles at her. Dahlia is a witness to the whole thing. It's revolting.

"Now, Dahlia you can't just assume people are thinking bad things. Austin's right there are lots of good things about strippers," Gina says taking another sip of her coco. "For example, they can dance for hours in heels. That's a skill. I can't keep my heels on for even one song," Gina explains. Austin is nodding his head like a fucking bobblehead doll, serious face and all as Gina talks. "Sorry, Austin. You will come to adore Dahlia as much as I do. But she is still developing her people skills. Please forgive her for being so blunt?" Gina asks. How the fuck did Dahlia land up being the bad guy?

"I don't know. Maybe if she would give me a heartfelt apology I might think about it," Austin says. The fucking audacity. Gina giggles at Austin's side, probably because she knows Austin would have a better chance at finding a rainbow-shitting unicorn than getting an apology from Dahlia. Never. Dahlia sits back in her chair, folds her arms, and pouts while staring Austin down. He should be sweating at the intensity of her glare. This is the response most people give when she fixes them with her grey eyes. But Austin is staring straight back - unwavering and with a big fucking grin on his face. He is enjoying this.

She hates him. That's a lie.

"Ok. Moving on. Austin, I got you a gift," Gina says and produces the friendship bracelet. Austin's mouth pops open and takes the bracelet. "You made me this? Aww, honey, it's lovely," he says while tying it on his wrist. He is a grown man. What the fuck is going on? "Yes, and look," Gina says showing her bracelet and motioning to Dahlia to show her's. She doesn't, the implication is enough. Gina sighs, "the three of us all need a new start, and what better way to do that the with your best friends? It's been a tough few years...right Dahlia?" Gina says.

Dahlia turns her head to look out the coffee shop window. If Austin and Gina want to have a heartfelt emotionally charged conversation they can go ahead but Dahlia will not be joining them. Dahlia hears Austin clear his throat and she can sense him leaning a little toward her. "Well if I have anything to do about it, life will be better. You will be happy here," he says. He sounds genuine but Dahlia knows he is full of shit. Well, she doesn't know but she had heard many promises by many people in the past - many broken promises. She may be in love with Austin but that does not make him any better than anyone else. "It's been a long fucking day. Can we please just get to your apartment? I need a nap," Dahlia says standing. She is not going to wait for them to convince her to wait until Gina finishes her chocolate fucking swirl bun.

She never thought she would, but right now she wished she was back in her pathetic run-down trailer. She pushes open the coffee shop door but freezes as she feels a hand on her shoulder. Turning around she sees Austin with his hand stretched out and a sad smile on his lips. "Give me your bag, little lady," he says taking her bag. Then Gina loops her arm around his and they strut like the perfect couple while Dahlia trails behind them. Fuck her life is all she can think.

Austin's apartment is not an apartment at all. It's a big room that holds a bed and a kitchen. It's an old New York apartment and so to Dahlia's horror she finds herself staring at a bathtub in the kitchen section. What the fuck is this? Gina finds the good in everything so while Dahlia stares hopelessly at the fucking kitchen bath Gina claps and giggles and points out all the cute little New York apartment things.

Dahlia can't look away from the tub.

"It's small but it's home," Austin starts, "You girls get the bed and I have a mattress on the floor. There is a little ledge out the window that you can sit on if you need some alone time and the toilet is down the hall near the lift. Make yourself at home...my only rule is that you don't touch my guitars," he says pointing to three very expensive looking guitars in the corner. "We will work out a bath time schedule...unless you are open to being super close besties," he says, chuckling at his joke. "Oh, I don't mind. We all grew up together and it's nothing we haven't seen before," Gina pipes up. Dahlia snaps out of her little stress dream. "I absolutely mind!" she snips. Gina needs to get a fucking grip.

Dahlia can feel she is about ready to boil over. It's been a long day. She needs to shut down but she does not know how. There are many reasons why she and Gina are friends and a million more why they should not be, but even though Gina drives Dahlia insane she needs her. She will never admit it though. Dahlia fills her chest with air to make sure the words she is going to push out are heard loud and clear but before she gets a chance Gina's hands are on her.

"That's enough for today. Right, Dahlia? Come on," she says and pushes Dahlia to the bed. Dahlia goes easily. Flopping down on the soft bedding and burying her face in the pillow. The pillow smells like Austin. If she had any sense she would throw the pillow aside but she has no sense, she is a stupid girl. She inhales deeply and falls asleep with a hint of a smile playing on her lips while Gina takes off her boots.