After graduation, Alina moved into her new apartment on the Upper East Side. She lived with her childhood best friend, Rachel. Rachel worked crazy hours, and Alina was alone in the house most of the time. Alina did not take her job too seriously. She went home at five and cooked elaborate meals. I wish Eliza was here, she thought, then proceeded to text Justine.
Justine had moved to Seattle where she was interning at a fashion company. They talked non-stop since Peru was keeping Eliza busy. Eliza and Alina FaceTimed from time to time, but now, there was no one to fill her loneliness. She felt guilty for her time with Justine, but she consoled herself by continuing to dedicate herself to Eliza.
Until she let slip, "So, I was talking with Justine and -"
"You're still talking to Justine?!" Eliza said, furious.
"Yea, well you haven't exactly been around." Alina said matter of factly, as if she was entitled to the attention.
"What do you get from her that you don't get from me?" Eliza said.
"It's not that. You don't even have the time to talk to me. Or even talk about her. She supports me." Alina said, her words stinging Eliza even further. Eliza did not even know about the times Alina was in Justine.
Calming herself, Eliza said, "Try me."
"No, it's too late. It's over." Alina, knowing that she had made a mistake, knowing that her pride was on the line, declared.
"No! Wait." Eliza said, tears falling, heaving.
Alina slammed her computer down and walked away.
YOU ARE READING
ELIZA
RomanceThe story follows Alina, a young Filipina woman with a looming mental illness, and the women she loves over the course of her life.
