The Originals

Chapter Six: Saira Levine

It was weird to have a roommate that you helped expose on the Shades of Gray website. Ruth 'Ruthless' Barlowe was Saira's roommate and she was having very mixed feelings about this.

Ruth came out of the shower, her wet black braids dripping water on the pink rug Saira bought for the both of them. Back before Orchid exposed Ruth, Saira truly thought Stanley Crawford did something unspeakable to her. Now? Ruthless was truly ruthless.

"Haven't seen you all day, Sar," Ruth said in her Texas drawl. Saira hated the nickname 'Sar' and she told Ruth that too many times to count. She sat on her bed, looking out at the window. It was still pouring hard. "Look, you read the exposé, didn't cha'?"

"Yeah, @shades_of_gray really exposed you," Saira said coldly. "You framed Stan, that's so cruel and... ruthless, Ruth. I don't care if it was Ivory or Scarlett who came up with the idea."

Ruth sighed. "Look, I was just lookin' out for Ivory."

"And so she was going to continue to cheat her way to be elected student body president?" Saira felt betrayed. It's always going to be a betrayal. "And I thought you actually won the girls' cross-country—"

"I did! It's just that Ivory had this friend that could make sure I was gonna' win! I really would have won! If y'all don't get that, I don't get you, Sar," Ruth shot back. "I'mma go, Ivory's roommate left and I don't plan on staying with a girl who doesn't get me."

Good luck with that, Ruthless, Saira thought as she watched Ruth Barlowe leave. Because no one ever really gets me either.

She hated fire and no one ever knew why. Mama thought it was because Papa smoked in the house. That's when Mama tried to ban him from smoking in the house, but Papa said it was harmless and he always won tiny arguments like these.

Always. Fucking. Won.

"Sar," Mama said as she came over, smoothing her daughter's blond hair. It was before she dyed it a faded pink. "I booked you a therapist appointment so we can talk about your fear with fire, okay, sweetie?."

"No!"

"Yes," her mama insisted. "Sar, it's not normal. You don't like going near stoves, fire alarms, and anything fire-related. It isn't normal and I'm scared for you. Your therapist's name is Dr. Levine."

"Does Papa know?"

She sucked in a quick breath and clasped her hands. "Your papa thinks the therapist is a bad idea, but don't worry about him."

"No, no. For once, I agree with Papa, I won't like Dr. Levine."

"Sar."

"Mama, please."

"Everything will be okay, sweetie."

It was the same day that their lives started to fall apart.

┉┈◈◉◈┈┉

It was lonely when Ruth left and Saira woke up. Her mind was buzzing with fogginess and she didn't want to deal with the classes ahead of her. I could always skip class, the thought crossed her mind but she just couldn't.

Saira was on a scholarship in Silverleaf, she couldn't lose it. No, she couldn't do that to Mama who worked double night shifts every night. Sure, joining Orchid's treaty was a risk, but anything to make extra cash to send to Mama.

Speaking of Mama, Saira hadn't talked to her in a while.

saira_gossip_girl_levine: Morning, Mama. Are you on your break yet?