Misery Loves Company

Track 38: Trust

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Misery Loves Company

By: theinkslingerr

Track 38: Trust

Out of everything that had happened between Enid and I, it felt like a line had been crossed today.

"You'd actually blackmail me?"

"I don't want to, but I'll do what I have to do to get out of here with my mom," Enid replied calmly.

I felt hollow— like a construction worker had taken an excavator to my insides and unearthed everything. After all this time, this is what I was to Enid: another obstacle.

Averting my gaze brought the shower curtain back into view. Ariel's smile was still manic, and it set me on edge. There was nothing to smile about. And I didn't want to think about the sickening illusion of a happily ever after.

"I've been looking at apartments." This time Enid's tone wasn't threatening or harsh, but that didn't stop me from reaching out and grabbing a hold of the plastic curtain. I was still dizzy, and needed something to steady myself. "I found some affordable ones close by, so—"

"Shut up. Please." My desperate grip on the curtain tightened. "I don't care about that right now."

I turned to face her, and she had the nerve to look surprised. Hurt.

"I know what that picture would do to you. And the things people would say. That's why I'd never post it unless you left me absolutely no choice."

My throat closed up. I was so furious I couldn't formulate words. Was that really supposed to make me feel better? How could the girl who'd saved me from loneliness (maybe even saved my life) stand there and talk about affordable apartments? And act like blackmail was something I could actively control?

Enid Concepción Diaz was not my friend.

And maybe she hadn't been for a while.

A sharp metallic sound suddenly cut through the air, and before I could register what happened, Ariel was smiling up at me from the porcelain basin of the bathtub. I'd ripped the shower curtain clean off its hooks. Glancing down at my hand, I noticed I was still holding onto it as if letting go would cause me to lose my balance. 

Enid's mouth was wide open. In our six years of friendship, she'd never seen a big display of anger from me. Things had usually been about her, and what she was feeling.

I guess it really was a night of firsts.

"Miz..." she breathed, but I didn't let her continue.

"Don't call me that! You don't get to call me that anymore."

Anger flashed in her eyes. "Right. That honor's been reserved for Rocco now."

I faltered, and Enid seized the opportunity to land another blow.

"Even before you guys kissed, I knew something was going on. You've made me watch Pretty in Pink a million times— did you honestly think I wouldn't recognize 'Try A Little Tenderness?'" She got in my space, and in my face with her sour breath. "Well? How was it? You got your big Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful moment. Was it everything you dreamed it would be?"