nefelibata (n.) | ✔️

thirty-one.

Present January 30th, 2019. 

School was supposed to go by like a breeze today. I am thrilled for everything that is to come afterward, but Brooklyn couldn't let my streak of happy thoughts going. Before I could make my way to the library for lunch, I was pulled into the girls' bathroom. 

"Seriously, Brooklyn?! Grow the hell up!" She closed the door and locked it, her freshman-looking minions standing in front of it. I rolled my eyes. I could quickly move those pipsqueaks if I needed to. 

She cornered me into the wall, getting right up in my face. "Here's what's going to happen, bitch." She pulled out a series of papers with the mayors signature on them - her dad. "You're going to break Carson's heart so that he doesn't even give you a second glance or his grandfathers precious little business will go down for health hazards, as will his financial stability." My heart dropped as I looked between Brooklyn and the papers, blinking far too much to stop the pain I was feeling. 

"Why?" My voice cracked, and I groaned internally at the weakness I was showing. Brooklyn grinned evilly. 

"Because of you, Lena. Bitches like you don't deserve men like him." Malice was all I saw. Pure evil. How could she do that to Carson? If she liked him, how could she destroy him like that? "If you don't break up with him by tonight, Lenny's Cafe will be closed by afternoon, and you can count on that." She flipped her hair, and it stung as it whipped across my face. She left the bathroom and did her typical strut across the hall. 

I paced back and forth through the bathroom. "Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Could she even accomplish this? Who am I kidding, her father believes every little thing she says. If she can develop a whole health violation investigation, then she could damn well make sure Lenny goes under for it. Fuck.

--

I crashed into Parker as I walked quickly to my car, trying to avoid Carson. I had to get to the Gallery, and I knew Carson would ask me what was wrong with me. I just couldn't handle it. "Woah, slow down their girly!" He looked at me intensely. "What's wrong, Lena?" 

"Can't talk. Gotta go." I pushed him off me and ran to my car, making my way to the Gallery. I can't think about this. All I know is I will be gaining one of the best things in my life but losing one of the best people in my life. I texted Carson, telling him I had to speak to him about something important, and as the caring boy he is, he told me to come by his place whenever I felt. 

When I arrived at the Gallery, who I assumed to be Nina answered the door. Her long brunette hair and tanned latina skin made for a stunning combination. Nina was just as beautiful as her voice made her seem. She welcomed me into the Gallery with open arms, and we spoke with one another for an hour or so before even delving into what we needed to discuss. 

"So first, the guest list. You can invite as many people as you like, but make sure to give us their names or hell their entry won't be accepted without a ticket." She explained, handing me a paper with different entrees for some guests. I immediately wrote in my mother and father, Parker, and Carson. Even though he probably wouldn't show when he hears what I have to say.

 I tried to show how ecstatic I was, but it wasn't translating well with the anxiety gnawing in my back of my mind. "Are you alright, Lena?" I had to tell someone, but was she the right person to tell? No. I have to break up with Carson and let this all go down exactly the way Brooklyn wants it to. I can't put Lenny's lively-hood in jeopardy. 

"Yeah. Yes, I'm fine. Just a little shocked still." I laughed it off and glanced at the part of the Gallery I could soon call my section. My heart was pounding, and although I was endlessly happy for myself and my art, I couldn't ignore the part of me that was aching in sadness.