This Won't Work

Answered With A Nod

"Girl, you know I play my role when I'm inside that
With my hands around your throat I know you like that
Girl, I'll do anything
To hear you scream my name"

- Brent Faiyaz

"That cannot be Marissa." Damien sounded and appeared dumbfounded. "She was not a blonde last time I saw her."

"The last time you saw her was five years ago, Damien." Elana deadpanned.

"What is she now? A fucking rich housewife with her lil' sunhat and sundress and annoying fiance." His voice a mock.

She rolled her eyes at his rant just as he froze mid-way down the parking lot. "I'm not sure I want to see her anymore."

"She did buy the plane tickets and hotel rooms so I kinda feel like you have to see her." For the first time in hours, Elana had finally looked at his eyes.

The split-second of eye-contact was greatly appreciated by Damien, though he didn't show it. He simply nodded once and continued walking, suitcase dragged along.

"Marissa," He called out, making Marissa's head snap our way to his familiar voice.

"Oh my God, Damien!" She acted exactly like Nova, running in her heels to throw her arms around him.

Marissa backed up, looking up at him as if he wasn't real. Everything played out while Elana stood awkwardly to the side.

"You look so different." Damien remarked.

Marissa chuckled and her brother relished in the sound. He hadn't heard her laugh, much less her talk in years. "Bad different or good different?"

"You look good, I just have to get used to the hair." Their whole family was made up of brunettes so having a blonde sister was a big deal to him.

Marissa finally turned to find Elana's lengthy hair (which she had never cut) along with her well-known eyes. "Elana? Is that you?"

Her heels clicked on the pavement as she moved to get a closer look.

"It's me,"

"Wow, you and Nova are still friends?"

"Yep,"

"I remember when you were just a little pre-teen asking me for boy advice" Elana grinned at the memory.

Marissa had been like an older sister to her many years ago, especially since Elana was an only child.

Marissa then directed her voice to both of them; "How is Nova by the way? Sad she couldn't come because of work."

Work had been Nova's excuse for not wanting to come. Elana had rolled her eyes when Nova instructed Damien on what to text their older sister.

"She's good. Hardworking woman, still." Damien answered.

His little sister was the complete opposite of him. Hardworking, high achiever, and so well-behaved. Though, at one point in Damien's life, he had been exactly like her.

"Yeah? I hope she's not hurting herself with all that work. I remember how persistent she used to be about studying and working."

Marissa paused before a man emerged from behind a pick-up truck. He started apologizing, "Sorry, work call-"

"Oh my goodness! You guys, meet my soon-to-be husband!" Marissa grabbed the man by the arm, pulling him towards us, making Elana flinch at her enthusiasm.

Damien just shook his head, realizing that even with the new hair Marissa was still exactly the same.

Marissa gestured to her sibling, "Charles, this is my little brother, Damien. Damien, Charles." They shook hands, Charles pleased to meet him, yet Damien put up the most serious expression he could muster.

Elana noticed the immediate dislike he had towards Charles.

And then she turned to Elana. "And my sister's friend, Elana."

"Hi, nice to meet you," she greeted before fitting her hand into his.

"Likewise. Beautiful name," Charles complimented, removing his hand from hers.

Elana smiled. "Thank you,"

"Alright!" Marissa exclaimed. "Charles, bring Damien to his room. And Elana, come with me. I can't wait to show you your room."

*****

"This is amazing." Elana gazed at the ocean from the balcony. The sun was beginning to set, a perfect circle of golden light.

"Right?" Marissa stood beside her. "This place was expensive, but when I saw the pictures online I knew I needed to be here."

Behind the pair, past the sliding doors that lead to the balcony, there sat the king bed where Elana would be attempting to sleep for the next two weeks. The bedding was colored white and bronze. A mountain of pillows, some decorated with ruffles along the edges. Every surface was cleaned until it fucking shimmered. 

This was definitely the fanciest hotel Elana had ever stayed in, and would ever stay in.

"Oh, I have to show you the bathroom!"  Marissa grabbed Elana's arm, dragging her through the sliding doors, past the fancy bed, and to a door on the very far end of the room.

She swung the door open to reveal the most luxurious bathroom Elana had ever seen. The room was spacious and pretty much spotless. The glass shower was enormous and the showerhead was square-shaped. A marble pattern decorated the countertops and even the faucet was fancy.

"I wish I lived here." Marissa sighed dreamily.

From the moment Damien received her text message, Elana had thought that Marissa would've completely changed, turned cold. What kind of sister was she to leave her siblings when they needed her the most? When she knew that they had no one else except each other?

But seeing her right now, seeing her act as if no time had passed, made her believe she was still the same person from 5 years ago. And even the expensive jewelry and Louboutin heels were not going to change that.

As if reading her mind, Marissa said; "I'm sorry if it seemed bitchy for me to just show up out of nowhere. I would've contacted them much earlier but I was sorting out my life, you know?"

"Of course. Losing your parents must've been difficult, I understand."

Before Elana could process anything she was within Marissa's arms, smelling her luxurious perfume.

"You are so nice, Elana. Nova is lucky to have you."

She backed up and patted Elana's shoulder, a graceful smile illuminating her face. She looked so much older, in a good way.

"Anyway, I'm gonna go get ready to head down to the beach. You coming?" Marissa asked.

Elana answered with a nod.

*****