Crossing Paths

Dana

Dana

And he thought to himself the little things she did, the way she sang every song that came on the car radio, the way her smile lifted from one side and lost support somewhere between the peak of her upper lip and her snub nose, that these would be the reasons it was easier to love someone else. It wasn't that it was just someone else. She was everything Mariah was not.

As Dana wrote these lines she imagined if that were true for her best friend David. Did he really love a girl so unlike Mariah? Then paranoid she posited it was foolish to relate herself to the main character of her own work. This was true, especially when she knew its fatal end. She sipped House blend coffee wishing for Colombian. The creaky bedroom door opened as her nosy roommate entered, one of them.

Hey.

What's up?

Dana exchanged a knowing glare with the young woman who would be her roommate no more in a few days. As she sat on her bed Dana smelled her skin. It was yesterday's Pinot Grigio and sweat, a hint of sex. Bed hair matted and t shirt inside out.

Late night?

Both smiled. Being 24 had earned them a decade of friendship that could afford smiles as full conversations.

And let me guess, no sleep is only a writer's thing?

I finished the end of the chapter.

Her eyes looked bright even though they teared up as she yawned.

You are on fire.

Evie, did you at least make him coffee? Dana crossed her legs on the bed and Evelyn rested her head there as they had always done. Pouting was a sign that Evelyn's guest wasn't getting it right, thus wouldn't need coffee. Dana cocked her head.

So you just gonna do the poor man like that? Evelyn continued on pouting, restless and giddy.

You know the deal Dane, you can't give what you're unwilling to receive.

Dana sipped her coffee thinking what she wouldn't give for some Colombian brew.

But just because you received some mediocre dick doesn't mean you have to act like one E.

Oh, really now?

Feigning anger Evelyn gathered up herself to leave.

You concentrate on finishing that best seller, I'll focus on dealing with my Daddy issues in my own way.

She crossed her arms, triumphant.

I'll just do it one man at a time. Dana rolled her eyes shooing her away.

She closed the door softly, walking to the kitchen instead of the hallway.

That's my girl.