Behind The Mask (Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 [2022] Fanfiction)

- TWO -

"Here, senorita."

    I took the sweating glass from the Hispanic gentleman behind the counter and took a chug of the sweet liquid inside. The smoothie, a strawberry one, soothed my throat that had been dried from the heat. I let out a sigh and licked my lips to savor every ounce.

    My elbow vibrated and I peeked at my phone to check the notification. Can you not take a hint?

    "Just tell him to fuck off already Lily."

    I spun in my chair to face Kelsey, a raven-haired and fair skinned woman shorter than myself. "Kels!"

    She crossed her arms. "What good is it doing you?"

    "None, but I haven't responded. He'll get it eventually."

    "Losers shouldn't get that treatment."

    I took another chug of my smoothie and a breeze blew through the open restaurant, causing strands of my blonde hair to get in the way. "I can't bring myself to say anything rude."

    "What's rude," Kelsey prodded a finger at me, "is what he did."

    My heart grew tight thinking of the betrayal. I didn't want to think of the years, effort, emotion, or any of that. It was still a little too raw and a bit too painful.

    I shook my head and righted my chin. "I've never needed anyone. You know that."

    It wasn't a lie. I'd always figured out my own way, however things ended up. Time and effort in one part of my life didn't mean complete failure or limitation to the future.

    She smiled, her perfect model-like teeth flashing. "No, you haven't."

    "Are we going to head to that beach party already?"

    The high-pitched voice belonged to Karin. Of Asian descent she was a short and petite little thing but very amusing. Kelsey turned with me to view her and red-head Noelle joining us.

    "The boys are playing volleyball but should be coming up to the rooms soon," Noelle pushed up her glasses. "We don't have to wait."

    "I really don't have to join you all," I started, sipping on my smoothie. "I think someone—"

    "We stick together for one," Kelsey interrupted me with a glare and then continued. "Second, it's not every day we get to party down in Mexico."

    I had a million other things I could list that didn't include drinking or parties, but I kept it to myself. Kelsey had a point, though I didn't like the idea of going out partying late. I came on the trip as both a redemption for my sanity and a break away from the horrible affairs life had recently handed me. I had to believe things could only get better going forward.

    "Come on, we'll start getting ready," Kelsey tugged on my arm as Karin and Noelle started walking, flip flops clicking.

    I managed to grab my smoothie as I, too, was drug along with the girls to go prepare.

- • - • -

"Can I offer you a drink?"

    I tried to ignore the pressing man to my left, his accent heavy on something that wasn't Mexican. Indian maybe? Something of the eastern hemisphere without a doubt, shitty as it sounded coming from my white ass.

    Okay, that's a little too broad Lily.

    My green eyes scanned the busy room for any sign of the people I'd arrived with. They were scattered but all present, either dancing or laughing. I sat away at the edge of the bar, uncomfortable and extremely on edge.