Mean Girls Missing

2

March 16

2:18 AM

Samantha

Click. Clack. Clickety, clackety.

My platinum silver heels audibly knocked against the sidewalk outside of Phi Omega. The brisk breeze of late winter swept under the hem of my dress and across my bare shoulders. It wasn't warm enough outside to be wearing a hoochie dress with matching pumps. However, no one was cold after standing in the center of a frat party for ten minutes, so I dressed for the occasion rather than the walk home.

Stephanie's arm was looped through mine. Our biceps pressed together as we hobbled down the path. "I can't believe that bitch. You know? Who does she think she's talking to?"

I shook my head. "Who cares about her? It's apparent she's jealous of us."

Stephanie was in a tight black dress. There was a gap between the fabric covering the chest and hips. Her toned stomach flashed on display, next to the diamond necklace and earring set that shimmered in the street lamps. Across her arms, she was wrapped in a dark fur scarf that she'd just convinced Dad to buy for her. It was one of Stephanie's newest prized possessions.

"Who wouldn't be?" Stephanie gestured to herself and laughed. "I mean, we're perfect. I just can't believe the way she was throwing her finger in my face. Like, honey, I pay more for my socks than she pays for her manicure. It's a disaster."

I giggled. The sidewalk split into two new paths: the left and the right. We turned to follow the right sidewalk to get to our apartment. We were one of the few students that didn't live in a dorm or studio on campus, but what can I say? Stephanie and I lived our lives in style. Everything was the latest trend, from our shoes to our hair to the couch we sat on. Nothing was overdone or irrelevant.

"If Austin isn't smart enough to see that I'm clearly obsessed with him and want things to work out, it's his loss." I shrugged my shoulders. "I thought maybe he would try to fix us but it's so one-sided now. I don't know what happened to us."

Austin Lorenzo was my near-perfect boyfriend. Or ex boyfriend. Or on-again, off-again boyfriend. Whatever he was, Austin was an amazing guy. I loved being around him. He made me smile or laugh when I thought I wouldn't be able to. He had his own job, despite being a college student, and bought me jewelry and flowers here and there. A real gentleman. Our personalities seemed to mesh together so well. He was the rain, I was the sunlight, and together we created a beautiful garden with marigolds and sunflowers and lilies.

The only thing – and it was just a teensy, weensy issue – was that Austin was a major flirt. I get it, he's totally gorgeous and girls drool whenever he walks past. I know that's not his fault, just like it's not my fault that boys zoom in on my pictures and fantasize about me beneath my outfits. As attractive individuals, we can only be noticed and appreciated by others. That is not my problem. My problem lies with Austin's inability to receive a compliment without trying to suck face or take them into the bedroom.

I know, I know. Why do I stay with a man that I know is cheating on me? Austin refuses to be faithful to me. Why don't I just hop away and find a new man who is willing to put in the time and effort? It's stupid. Sometimes I think I'm asking for him to hurt me every time I forgive him. I just can't forget my feelings. Whether I want to love Austin or not, I do, and I have a lot of love for him in my heart. It sucks that he can't always reciprocate that.

Stephanie refocused her attention from watching her steps to responding to the ongoing conversation. "Look, I tell you every time. Move on. I know it might be awkward with Carlos and everything..."

I put my hand in her face to stop her from talking. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Might be? Steph, you are still sleeping with his brother." She started laughing. "Do you hear yourself? Besides, I know it's wrong, but I kind of like the title. Twins and twins, it just makes sense."