Deep Within Me

Making Friends

Sitting at the bar of the airport, Ashton finally had some time to herself. She enjoyed the honeymoon, but she got tired of Daniel sometimes. He got really angry a lot and never knew how to contain it. 

"Can I get a Mai Tai?" Ashton asked over the bar. A man nodded and smiled at her and began making her drink one ingredient at the time. It was satisfying. "Put it on my tab, please," Ashton grabbed her drink and began taking slow sips. She felt the coldness in her stomach. She looked over at the TV and began watching the news. It made her miss her work. Ashton Urban- the bright, new girl on the paper scene. She desperately, more than anything in the world, wished for a job at the New York Times. She knew it was far, but it didn't matter to her. She would give up everything for that job. Ashton was an excellent writer. She usually wrote about any current events and she enjoyed it a bunch, but it wasn't enough. Daniel had put limits on how many hours she was allowed to work a day. It must've made him feel demasculinized to even think about his wife making more money than him. 

She noticed a pretty, dark brown-haired girl taking shots with friends. Her eyeliner was bold, but it was the only outrageous piece of makeup she was wearing. Her light blue skinny jeans hugged her hips tight enough to show the entire outline of her thighs, and her crop-top was stained blue on black and white stripes. Her laugh was gorgeous. It matched the perfect smile. She moved her hair past her ear, set down the shot on the table, smiled brightly and elegantly, and looked over at Ashton. Their eyes met. It felt like Ashton was in a trance. This girl was perfect. She looked away from Ashton and started talking to someone else. She took another shot. Ashton looked away, but couldn't stop thinking about her smile or her hair. She took another sip of her drink.

"You noticed her, too?" The bartender spoke up, "I heard she came flying in from California. I have no idea what a girl like her would be doing in Washington. Her type likes excitement. New things to keep her occupied."

"I disagree. She seems different," Ashton whispered.

"You pick up on things easily, then?"

"Not usually."

"Oh," he paused for a brief moment to think, then started up again, "you know, we don't get many lesbians around here. Be careful who you talk to."

"Oh, I'm not a-" the pretty girl came and sat down next to Ashton, "lesbian."

"Oh, you're damn right about that honey. Uh, can I get a glass of something hard, I really don't care as long as it drowns the pain." She pulled out her ID and put it away, "what are you drinking, hun? Oh, is that a Mai Tai? I love those things. I used to drink them so much they'd make me puke blue for weeks!" She reached for Ashton's drink and took a large gulp, "Oh, shittttt."

Ashton stared at this girl in awe. 

"Oh, I'm sorry I don't think we've met. I'm Kaite. Weird that it's pronounced 'Kitey,' right?"

Ashton cleared her throat and pulled her hair behind her ear, "I'm Ashton. You come here often?"

"Well, Ashie, I happen to live here. I just flew back from California. I went to a friend's wedding."

"Oh, that sounds fun."

"No," she grabbed her drink and thanked the bartender, taking another large gulp, "total borefest. I hate weddings."

Ashton felt a soft rubbing on her back and watched as Kaite made awkward eye contact with Ashton's husband. 

"Hey, baby."

"Oh hey, honey, how was the gift shop?" Ashton quickly replied.

"It was ok," he quickly checked out Kaite, who was now very close to Ashton's personal space.

"Oh, sorry. Kaite, this is my husband Daniel. Daniel this is my new friend Kaite." Daniel wasn't impressed with the girl, and Kaite immediately backed away. 

"Oh, here this is my number. Make sure you talk to me. I like you, but I um have to go and talk to my friends. See you later, guys." Kaite got up with her drink, and when she sat down she chugged the rest of it and slammed it down hard.

"Friend? She was clearly into you," Daniel's words stung like an angry bee.

"Yeah. A friend. Let's go home."