I wrote this from Lana's perspective. Her perception was too sweet not to share! Thank you so much for reading! =)
*****
My alarm hadn't gone off yet and the room was already hot and sticky. The sun heated everything in the whole apartment. Coated in sweat, I dreaded my upcoming day at work. I adjusted my fan to blow towards my body and rolled on my other side to try and catch another hour of sleep. I avoided the fact that once again, I woke up alone.
My pathetic excuse for a boyfriend didn't spend Friday night with me again. Kleenex piled up beside my bed with many more ready to go. He was supposed to come over and bake desserts with me! My mom wanted to have everyone over for my niece's birthday so I figured that baking some treats would be a nice gesture.
I thought about calling in sick to catch up on my unproductive evening. It was always tempting to call in sick on Saturdays because everyone else had it off. I was frustrated with him mostly...I was so sick of his excuses! I got mad and pounced the pillow with all my might. He doesn't care about me anymore! My mom was right about everything!
After my little tantrum, I dragged my ass out of bed and went to the shower. Cold water soothed my overheated body. I shivered until my body got used to the cooler temperature. A quick shave of my armpits and legs should do it. I finished up and my day was already feeling more positive.
I did my hair in the mirror and put on my underwear. I brushed my teeth and flossed intricately at my teeth to get every piece of trapped food out. I talked myself through my problems and psyched myself up for the day at work. I slid on my favourite leather skirt and slipped on a sleeveless summer top. I didn't give a fuck about dress code on Saturday, I was wearing flip flops!
I got to work well before noon and sat in the staff room. I worked in a music store and took care of all the books. It was quiet in my department and was seperate from where unskilled musicians made loud noise. I read my novel for a bit and ate a biscuit I brought from home.
I thought today was going to be another dull day and for at least the first an hour, it was. It was tough to smile and answer silly questions about stuff I thought should be second nature to anyone. I mean, why the fuck would you buy books beyond your skill level? I rolled my eyes at a lot of people and kept the fake smile rolling.
"So...how many people comment on that lovely skirt you're wearing today?" I heard a very familiar voice ask from behind.
Excitedly, I turned around and jumped into the arms of my sweet friend, Ariel.
"Ahh! I can't believe you're here!" I yelled, attracting the attention of the whole store.
We hugged and held each other tight. Ariel was my deepest secret and no one ever found out what was going on between us. We were the greatest friends and it had been a year since we last met in person. I felt her push away, as if I was making the hug too long.
"I love your hair, Lana! It's so red and sexy!"
I blushed in excitement and a smile forced its way onto me. She looked better than ever! Her petite body looked slim as ever and her feet looked so pretty in her shoes. She wore a red tank top that contrasted with her skin so nicely. I couldn't wait to look at her ass with those tight jean shorts she was wearing!
"How have you been?" I asked delightfully.
"I'm good, Lana. I'm so glad to be home! I've missed you! How about you? Find anyone to fuck your brains out yet?" She asked playfully touching my arm.
"Ari! Shhh!" I yelled with a huge smile.
"Come on, baby, let's go get lunch!" Ariel suggested.
"I can't, I have to work until six!" I responded, unimpressed.
"I'm going to bring you an ice cream then! We can talk here, right?" Ariel pushed and smiled.
I snickered and pressed for another hug with her. Her skin was so soft and damp from the humidity outside. I simply love how Ariel smells. Such a unique scent that pretty lady gives off! I leaned in and pressed my lips on her neck in a lustful way. My manager caught the corner of my eye.
I pulled away and smirked at her.
"Vanilla, please?" I asked.
Ariel giggled and told me I haven't changed in the slightest bit. I guess I always chilled in my comfort zone but that wasn't a big deal. I lived life on the safe side all the time and made sure things didn't spiral out of control on me. We hugged one last time and she walked out of the door.
"Is that who I think it is?" My manager, Helen asked.
"Yes, it is!" I said excitedly and giggled.
"You look like you really like her," she said.
"Yeah...She's the best. It's been so long..." I said, dazed by Ariel's charm.
"I wonder, Lana. You were looking really stressed out earlier, is everything okay?"
"No...I'm not so happy today," I sad sadly.
"Care to share, love?" Helen sat behind the counter with me.
"Well...My asshole boyfriend stood me up again last night! We were supposed to bake treats together for my niece's birthday later and he fucking leaves to go fishing with his friends!" I yelled getting into a rage
Helen looked dumbfounded and rubbed my back.
"And then, I sat at home eating food and cried all night! I'm so fucking mad at him! He thinks I'm never going to be successful again and part of me thinks he's right! I'm never talking to him ever again! I just don't need that headache!" I was almost in tears at this point.
I got up and paced behind the counter. I didn't want to see him again. I wasn't going to be the pushover this time. Why should my loyalty be thrown around when I'm there for someone all the time? Ariel would never treat me like that!
"I'm sorry, Helen! I'm so upset!" I said, fidgeting with my wristbands.
"Maybe you'd like to go home early? Go find your friend before she gets too far! Bake your treats for your sister's family?"
I gasped in excitement.
"Really? You mean it?" Asking with a smile drawn to my face.
"You work hard, Lana. You deserve better for such a beautiful day. Just go, girl! I'll take care of everything here! We'll talk next week!"
"Oh, Helen! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I ran up to her giving her the biggest hug.
I swiped my purse from under the counter and darted out the door. I couldn't see Ariel anywhere. I figured she would go somewhere close so I waited. I sparked up a cigarette in hopes to see her again so soon. It was so hot and muggy! I waited patiently.
"Wowie! Look what I found!" Ariel said, hugging me from behind while holding a bag of goodies from the store.
I jumped and giggled excitedly.
"Helen let me go home early," I said softly and then kissed her on the lips.
She graciously closed her eyes and we savoured our first kiss together. It had been well over a year since we last had any time together. Being in different musical projects separated us. A car driving by honked their horn during the affectionate moment. We laughed it off and walked together towards my car.
"Did you bus here?" I asked.
"Yeah. I really wanted to see you, Lana. It's been so long," Ariel confessed.
We both got in my car and I immediately rolled down the windows in hopes of cooling it off. My black skirt burned up against my legs and I could feel my forehead sweat. Even Ariel had a thin film of sweat around her white skinned body. It was definitely attractive.
"Lana, do you want to go the beach?" Ariel asked very politely.
"Oh, Ariel! I really want to! Unfortunately, I have to go bake some desserts for Emily's birthday."