Fashion & Fury

At the mall district. A place Nadia hadn’t been in a long time — she was extremely broke — fashion was a luxury.

Neera dragged her around for retail therapy... Stuck between Gucci and Coach for a handbag. Nadia knew these brands well. Her parents made her model for the youth catalogue.

Nadia preferred humble department stores. Walmart. Target. Of the like. Sometimes middle-class retail stores on occasions and definitely for Greg’s office wear. But that felt like a lifetime ago.

Neera was pulling her along as a “Yes” woman.

“Does it look nice? Don’t you dare lie…” Neera bossed.

“It’s pretty,” Nadia said.

“Just pretty?” Neera said, and put it back angrily.

Hours passed. Nadia tired, regretting. Her ankles sore from the endless pacing from store to store. Neera, more and more wound up.

“What’s wrong Neera?” Nadia asked.

”You are what’s wrong…” Neera said.

Nadia stepped back, “What did I do now? You’re always on my case…”

”I was her best friend… But you’ve gone and inserted yourself into The Pony and Moorfield like her bestie soulmate… You didn’t know her like I did…” Neera sneered.

“Maybe that’s true…” Nadia said, turning, “But I’m just surviving… Holding onto any piece of Alice that’s left…”

Neera tensed. She scoffed, “Just a leech huh… If you never came to The Pony — she’d still be here…”

Nadia. A pang of acid. Turning into tears. Corners of her eyes.

”Am I here just to be a punching bag?” Nadia said. Could it be that Nadia was the cause of Alice’s ****? No… It was The Volkov…

”Fuck off bitch…” Neera said, walking away. Nadia shrinking…