Over

Nadia took a puff of Alice’s cigarette. It felt good. The smokiness and burn. The virgin nicotine rush.

“Good huh?” Alice said.

”Yeah,” Nadia said.

She had never smoked before. She hadn’t done a lot of things in her life.

Alice led the way back inside the hotel. There was a tramp stamp on her lower back where her singlet didn’t cover. It looked like a bat logo. Alice noticed her looking.

”It shows that I’m an anti-hero… I love Batman,” Alice smiled, “Do you have any tattoos?”

”No I don’t…”

”Well then, we need to get some ink on that body…”

RING! RING! RING! Nadia looked. Mark was calling.

“I need to take this,” she said.

”Nads?” Mark said. He had called her that. Nads. But this time it felt hollow.

”Mark…” Nadia said, “Are you well?”

”I-I am… Yourself?” Mark asked.

“Not so well, but surviving,” Nadia said.

”Can we meet?”

”I need some time on my own,” Nadia said.

”I’m sorry Nads I —“

”Please… You didn’t do anything wrong. I just don’t think I’m ready to date,” Nadia said.

Mark paused. Swallowed the pain.

”Okay. I understand. I’ll see you work right? You are still my friend,” Mark said.

”I got a new job… I appreciate the friendship… I really do… I just need some space,” Nadia said.

”Okay. I understand.”

Alice stood there listening to the whole thing. It was the husband or the boyfriend, but the fact that Nadia stood in the hallway talking next to her, Alice knew it was over.

She really needed space. Alice remembered that feeling. As much as Alice was attracted to Nadia, she did not want to exploit her vulnerability.

Nadia cut the call and looked at the floor. Dejected.

”You need a fresh start! A makeover!” Alice said.

”A makeover?!” Nadia laughed, “How?”

”How?! You are looking at a pro stylist here,” Alice gave a cheesy smile. Nadia thought it was half-convincing.

END OF PART ONE