Imperfect Pieces

14. sweatpants & epiphanies

dedicated to the fabulous natalie as promised. thank you for your comments and for being amazing. oh, and sorry if this sucks. i tried.

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They wore matching looks of concern as their friend burst into tears for the fifth time that night.

"I...I just...don't understand... why...we were happy," she sputtered out, hiccupping in between the words. Her usually perfect hair was out of place and mascara was running down her tear-stained face.

"He doesn't deserve you, darling."

Everyone chorused in agreement.

"Thanks guys. I should probably go wash up..."

Still sniffling, she grabbed her purse and headed towards the ladies room, her fire hydrant red heels clicking along the tiled floor. As soon as she was out of earshot, the trio breathed out matching sighs of relief.

"Thank god... I was about ready strangle her."

"Usually I would argue and slap you for being inconsiderate, but you're right. This night was a fail."

"More like if was brutal."

"Yeah."

They had pitched in and bought broadway tickets to her favorite musical, Wicked. They had walked around Times Square until their feet were about to fall off. They even brought her to Amore, the most amazing ice cream parlor in New York (if a bowl of strawberry cheesecake ice cream didn't do the trick, who knew what would.) But none of these seemed to cheer up the heartbroken girl. All night she ranted to them about her ex-boyfriend, Bryan, while occasionally bursting into tears. It was a wonder that she had not dehydrated yet.

"Ugh, what are we gonna do?"

"I don't know man. I thought Glinda and Elphaba would at least take her mind off him for a while."

"It's hopeless. I've never seen her this down."

"Whatever. I'm tired. Let's bring her home and get some

sleep. We'll figure out something else tomorrow."

"Yeah, we have to. This is ridiculous. I mean, they only dated for two months!"

The conversation died down as the girl in question emerged from the bathroom, looking a bit more refreshed.

The only male member of their group suddenly burst out, breaking the silence. "Whelp...it's time to go home! Pack up, people!"

"Yup, it's pretty late. We'll take you home. "

She just nodded, looking dazed as they escorted her to the cab and drove away into the darkness of the night. Well, not exactly darkness.  After all, New York is always a pulsing heart in which the lights and sounds are about as tangible and never-fading as the people.

❊ ❊ ❊

At 2:00 pm there was an insistent knock on the oak wood.  

"Open the door!"

Silence.

"We know you're in there."

More silence.

"...I have cheetos and oreos?"

There was a moment of hesitation before she fumbled with the lock, opening the door to reveal a triumphant brunette and an Asian black-haired beauty cradling a bag of cheetos and a pack of oreos.  

"I told you that would work."

They squeezed into the apartment, taking in the food wrappers on the ground, the dirty dishes piling over the sink, and the mountain of clothes that towered over them on the sofa. It seemed like she had emptied out her her entire precious wardrobe. The clothes pretty much blocked the TV, not leaving much room to walk.

"Wow. You're really not taking it well."

The girl herself was in about the state as her apartment. She was wearing sweatpants, for god's sake. And she never wore them ("They make me look fat.")

"Aw sweetie,  I hate seeing you so upset over some boy."

"You're a strong woman."

"...and look what else we brought! Mulan!"

She groaned in response.

"I've seen that like a million times."

"Well, you're about to watch it for the million and first time."

They both had don't-you-dare-mess-with-me faces and frankly it was a terrifying, so she quietly sat down on the couch to watch the Disney movie.

❊ ❊ ❊

"Bye!"

"Try not to wallow in too much self-pity, alright?"

"And get out of the house soon. You're like a cooped up chicken."

She chuckled slightly.

"I will, I will. Bye!"

And with one last wave, she closed the door, bolting the lock afterwards. She walked over to the window and yanked the dusty curtains open, letting the sunlight bask the room in a warm glow.

Gazing out of the window for the first time in over a week, all of a sudden, she had an epiphany. It might have been because of the beautiful skyscrapers that glistened in the sun, or the clear blue sky, or sudden rush of gratitude she had to her three wonderful friends, or even just the pigeons that were perched on the windowsill next door. But whatever it was, she fell in love once again. She fell in love all over with the city she moved to four years ago, the city that was like a sparkling gem. Why was she at home, feeling sorry for herself? And it was then that she realized three things: 1. she didn't need no man to be happy 2. epiphanies were overrated (but pretty nice anyways) and 3. these sweatpant looked hideous on her.

So with that thought in her mind and a smile on her face , she went to the couch to find something more suitable to wear.

(Preferable something that wasn't wrinkled.)

(Though it seemed like that might be a hard thing to find.)

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a/n: yeah i think this is the first humour-ish thing in the collection yay

all those pronouns were confusing me by the end but i didn't want to come up names so.

 i love you guys so much all right. for reading my writing and actually enjoying it. for being supportive. for encouraging me to continue writing. thank you <3