My New BFF

Chapter 5

I was getting ready for Rachel's dinner party. I wore a casual plain black dress and wore a little bit of makeup and left with my friends. Bex said she'd take a taxi there and leave as soon as she could. Be chill. Act like you know what you are doing and saying and you will be okay. Ignore any snotty comments Rachel throws at you. You can do this, Sabrina. You are a smart young woman who can handle yourself. I thought to myself. 

Rachel was glaring at me with her green eyes when I entered the living room and quickly ran over to me and took me by the arm. She was wearing a casual red dress and had her gray hair in a ponytail. Rachel thought since she was fifty something years old, meant she was smarter and better than I was. I was nothing but a walking dollar sign to her that she could use. I knew Rachel was my publisher and she helped me with my books but sometimes all I want is a nice, genuine compliment. 

"You have the book idea ready for tonight?" Rachel asked in a soft whisper.

"Yes, Rachel, my book idea is ready for tonight." I answered her.

"It better be good otherwise I will have your head," Rachel spat. "Do not make me look like a fool, child." 

"I understand." I sighed and looked around and saw Bex looking around too. 

"Bex, over here!" I called out and got her attention. Bex was wearing a casual pink dress and had her hair fixed in a bun. 

"And who is she?" Rachel asked quietly.

"A friend of mine." I answered. 

"Hey." Bex greeted and hugged me.

"Hey." I repeated and hugged back. 

"Hi." Bex said as we let go of each other.

"Hello." Rachel responded as they shook hands. 

"I am guessing you are Sabrina's publisher, Rachel, right?" Bex asked.

"Yes," Rachel answered. "And who are you?" 

"My name is Rebecca Ray, but everyone calls me Bex." Rebecca introduced herself with a warm smile.

"What an odd nickname you have." Rachel chuckled.

"Rachel, please don't--" 

"Uhm-- thank you?" Bex responded interrupting me, sounding confused. "It has been a nickname since I was a young child." 

"Hm." Rachel mumbled and walked away.

"Charming, isn't she?" I sarcastically asked and giggled. 

"What a pain." Bex laughed.

"Do you want to meet my two best friends? They are probably near the food." I giggled. 

"Sure, I would love to meet your best friends." Bex answered and nodded. 

"So... will you tell us this book idea of yours?" Rachel asked as all eyes were on me, making me even more nervous than I was before. 

"Well," I gulped and looked at everyone who worked at the publishing house. "I am thinking about a thriller this time, you know... mix it up because I have been writing romance novels." I finished trying to sound confident.

"What kind of thriller are you going to write about?" An elder man I briefly met named, James asked.

"It will be about..." I trailed off as I was trying to think about it. It took me a few seconds to answer as Rachel glared at me. "It is a cautionary tale about a toxic relationship between two friends," I sighed and shook my head a little bit. "Something like that film, Single White Female but it is not a complete rip-off of it. Just the themes are the same." I finally answered and tried to smile wide.  

"Well... isn't that.... uhm... something." Rachel said and coughed.

"I love the idea!" A strange woman cheered, and everyone silently nodded.

"Oh yeah," Rachel giggled as she rubbed my back. "She is my shooting star."