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But when another man saddles up behind the other young woman, he stiffens and spits out, “Motherfucker.”
Thank fuck.
I follow him because it's time for me to introduce myself and get what I want.
Ella Thomas.
twelve
Ella
Tonight is my first night off in a while and the guilt I’ve been feeling about not making time for Suri has started to get to me more and more. She is one of the only people that is a constant light in my life. I really need to start doing better. An idea starts to form in my mind. Midnight Blue just opened up for regular club hours. Maybe I’ll see if she wants to check it out with me. And maybe the sexy owner might be there too? A girl can only hope.
Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I message Suri.
Me: Hey want to check out a new club tonight?
While I wait for Suri to answer, I switch to my Instagram app and scroll through my feed. I don’t usually post on it but I’m friends with a ton of people that I went to high school with. I stop on a profile, but the account isn’t what catches my attention. It's the picture itself. Mia is in the background talking to an older gentleman. They’re leaning into each other like lovers, but her eyes say something different. I’m zooming in trying to decipher what I’m seeing when Suri’s response pops up.
Suri: Yes! Let's do it.
I’ll have to do more digging online about Mia some other time.
I respond to her immediately, asking her to meet me at the club around nine o’clock. I have a few hours to get ready and I can’t think of anything I can wear that I want to be seen in, especially if I see him.
Grabbing my keys and wallet, I head out to go shopping. Walking up to a small boutique a few blocks away from the house, the excitement from earlier flares. Not only am I determined to have fun tonight, I also made enough tips that I can buy a new outfit too.
I head straight for the sequin dresses. Though I wear neutral clothing in my everyday life, I actually love to wear glittery bright clothes. I’ve had to hide so much of myself for most of my life, it’s like I can breathe when I get to just be myself. I pull it out and it’s freaking gorgeous.
Turning toward the counter, I ask the attendant. “Excuse me, can I get a dressing room?”
Giving me her best customer service smile, she replies. “Of course, follow me this way.”
I hang up the dress on the hook and turn back toward her. “Thank you.”
She starts to walk out of the stall then looks over her shoulder with a small smirk. “Let me know if you need anything else.” Then she disappears behind the curtain, giving me my privacy.
As soon as my hands touch the fabric of the beautiful dress, the curtain opens. I pull the dress up to cover my body, “I’m still trying on this dress.” I say quickly as I spin around to face them.
“Mia, what are you doing here?” I ask.
“What am I doing here? What are you doing here? You don’t belong here, Ella.”
“Mia, I'm not here to bother anyone. I just want to get a new dress.”
Placing her hands on her hips, she asks, “What do you need a new dress for?”
“I’m going to the new club Midnight Blue with Suri.”
She lets out a laugh that sounds more evil than jolly, “What do you think you’ll be doing at the club? One look at you and your rags, everyone will know you aren’t worth their time.”
I clench my jaw trying to keep myself still. I don’t want her to know that her words hurt. I take a few steps closer until we’re only a few inches away.“You know, Mia, you don’t have to be mean. We can be friends and I can help you with anything.”
She flinches a tiny bit. I almost didn’t catch it, but I know I’m getting to her in some way. I can’t let her know that I found the ledger and pictures, but I do want her to know that I can help her if she wants it.
She steps into me then grabs my hair and uses it to pull me so close to her. “I don’t know what you think you know but I won’t ever need you or your help.”
With those nasty words, she pushes me back away from her and walks out.
