WEST COAST 18+

30.

W E S T C O A S T

Daniela was lying flat on her stomach, scrolling through her laptop and adding tracks to her playlist for a party this weekend. She had to pause her music and task because Shanti was calling her; the FaceTime connected through her MacBook for Daniela to find out what was going on. Britt was on the call, but she excused herself to tend to a client.

"Maybe men really ain't shit. Stay single forever," Shanti advocates with the camera off of her.

"Your dramatic ass. All Fernando said was money was tight and he can't take you on that trip anymore, and you ending things with him."

"Cause I know he lying," Shanti whines. "He stay with money, but all of a sudden he can't take me to the DR like we planned?"

Daniela instructs, "Put ya face in the camera and look at me," Shanti huffing and lifting her phone. Daniela was looking at her like bitch, Shanti pouting more.

"Okay, so I never told you this cause I knew you'd be on my ass about it, but he's done this before. Valentine's Day, he goes MIA. My birthday, he's suddenly arguing with me. Christmas and New Year's, too," confessing the past with her best friend.

"Girl, why you ain't lead with that? I would've been on your side." There was a whole new angle to look at now. Hearing her doorknob turn and room door open, Daniela went to curse Ashton out for coming in without knocking until she turned and saw Enrique instead. Her whole attitude changes, mood evolving, "Hi, Riqueeee."

Shanti watched Daniela sit up and get off the bed, most likely heading over to him to greet him.

"What's up, baby?" Enrique asks, Daniela getting squeezed in a bone-crushing, heartfelt hug.

She muffles into his shirt, "Talking to Shanti and Britt," stroking his back and concealing her enthusiasm that he was here. Enrique reached and pulled something out of his pocket, Daniela raising her head, "What's this?"

"Illegal drugs," Enrique said while handing her weed packaged in a mylar bag.

Daniela smirks, "I know that. But why are you giving it to me?"

"To supply your addiction." Daniela told him she had this woman as a backup, but with the weed being pricey, Daniela wasn't sure if it was worth it after smoking it a few times. She had to roll two to really feel something, and hearing her criticize it, Enrique figured he'd give her some of the stuff he had.

"I'm not addicted," she denies, tearing open the packaging to get a whiff. It was loud.

"You use it to calm yourself how many times a day?" Enrique asks.

"Don't judge me. You smoke it, too," walking over to her nightstand to pick up a lighter and an entourage to roll them a fat one.

"Here and there like a normal person." While walking further into her room, he noticed she was on the phone, Enrique letting her know, "You should tell ya friends good night."

Even though she speaks through clenched teeth, "don't tell me what to do," Daniela plops back on the soft mattress and flips onto her stomach, "Call y'all tomorrow?"

Shanti drags, "Damnnn. Just like that?"

"Girl, please. You hung up on me while I was talking 'cause Fernando walked in the room," Daniela reminds her, feeling Enrique claim a spot next to her and resting his head on her ass. It was soft like a pillow.

Shanti defends her actions, "He was upset. I needed to make sure he was okay."

"Which is why yo ass can't judge me. Toodles," waving her fingers and going to hang up, but before she could click a button, Shanti begs: