Page 56 of Saints & Sailors

Vanity’s shoulders began to shake as her face twisted in anguish. The floodgates were about to break. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Oh, V.” Cameron was quick to go and comfort her. “There’s nothing wrong with you, it’s him. He’s a pig.”

I watched as Vanity continued to sob over the boy. I could almost relate, though I’d never cried over Kevin.

“The first time I thought he was weak and had a slip, and the second time he was mad at me because I couldn’t make it to his game, and the third…” Vanity stopped to wipe at her eyes and nose. “I thought…I thought if I stuck it out, he’d see that I loved him and he’d change.”

For a moment, I wondered if I would’ve stayed if Kevin hadn’t abandoned me. At sixteen, maybe.

“I thought if Ebram saw that I was willing to be here and ‘hold him down’ that I was better than the other girls. I kept blaming them for his ‘slips’ instead of seeing it for what it was.” Vanity made her way over to the mirror and began to fix what was left of her appearance. She looked a little dramatic with her runny mascara.

In her words, I saw myself the day I caught Kevin with that girl at the bar.

“Girls blame the other woman because they don’t want to believe that the person they love and put their trust into would ever betray them, or see something in someone that’s not them. It’s easier to blame the outside source for corrupting their union.” I hugged myself. “I’ve been in your shoes. My first and only sorta just abandoned ship without even letting me know.”

Vanity peered over at me, pouting as she reached out. “I’m sorry. God, guys are such assholes. I caught him and he didn’t even apologize.”

Maybe that was just the male way. They felt entitled to hurt you without so much as an I’m Sorry to pacify their wrongs.

“Fuck him,” I insisted as I linked hands with her. “You’re better off without him. In time you’ll be strong, trust me.”

I wasn’t sure why, but I felt a kinship with Vanity just then.

“I’d feel better if I ran him over with my car,” Vanity huffed.

Cameron blinked. “Well, let’s not catch a felony, now.”

I almost laughed. I could tell Vanity was beginning to feel better.

Somehow, it sorta felt good to cheer her up.

“You’ll get through this,” Cameron said as she rubbed her back. “And someday, an even better guy will come along.”

Vanity frowned. “I should’ve just gone for Dreux.”

“Dreux?” I found myself repeating.

Vanity shrugged as she primped her hair. “He asked me out last year.”

It shouldn’t have been a surprise. I could see why he’d like her. She was pretty, confident, and seemed fun to be around from what I saw in class. They’d be cute together I guessed.

Vanity faced me. “At the time I thought he was too…together. Shit, I mean, I always thought Aidan was boring too, but maybe that’s what I should try next. Aidan and Dreux are the good ones.”

Cameron gave a tightlipped smile that Vanity didn’t catch. “In the meantime, we can grab smoothies after school to celebrate your being single and independent.”

This they agreed on, with my opting out due to my grounded status.

With one last look in the mirror, Vanity fixed herself up. She adjusted her breasts, pushing them up more to expose a little cleavage in her tight black top. After touching her hair one last time she was ready to go.

“Let’s get to class, I know Ames is going to throw a fit about our tardy,” Vanity said as she went over to the door.

Cameron reached out and tapped my shoulder. “We’ll catch up, I gotta talk to Saylor about something.”

Vanity nodded, her eyes meeting mine. “Thanks for the support.”

I raised my fist a little. “Girl power, babe.”

God, was that cheesy or what?