Deception and Desire

NE

ocking my view. I can barely see, but honestly, I don't care. Tears sting my eyes, blurring my vision even more. It

making sleazy passes at me ever since I started working at the bar six months ago, but I've always brushed him off politely. Today, though, he crossed

d, his face red with rage

. I've got rent overdue, a landlord breathing down my neck, and three younger siblings depending on me. To top it off, I'm drowning in de

ight now, all I want is to be in his arms, t

st he's home. I twist the doorknob and step inside, calling out his name. Nothing. The living

ably in th

I walk in, it's me who gets the surprise. My heart stops. Through the glass of

while he thrusts into her. At first, I couldn't move. My blood bo

icia shrieks, trying to cover herself, but I don't even look at her. My fist connects with Dave's face before I yank Alicia by her hair. "Please let me go", she scream

tammers, stumbling out of the shower with water drip

you've been doing behind my back? My voice cracks as tears spill over. I feel so cheated. I've always wanted Dave to touch me, to pleasure me in th

, he starts, bu

? Is it my body? Are my boobs too small? Is my bu

ard he is. Before he can open his mouth, Ali

t not his ty

, waiting for him to deny it. To fight for me. But he doe

e doubles over, groaning in pain. Then I grab my keys

***

him, paying his medicals when he was sick and out of funds in law school, being his rock when he needed me. I f

unable to go any further. My hands shake as I

voice fills the line, but I c

t happened? sh

he cheated on me. With Alicia". My voi

s something shady about him! Al

Cassie. I didn't se

he says, her voice soft

, I whisper, my vo

Cassie says without hesi

of hope. Cassie's got my back. And maybe, just

She steps out, flicking a half-smoked cigarette onto

her eyes brimming with sympat

erything. I cooked, I loved him with my whole heart, I cared for him... and this is

enger seat. She wraps me in a warm hug, stroking my hair like a big si

. I didn't." My voice cracks

t with anger. "If I ever run into that low-life, I'll make sure he never walks straight

ugh. "You're wild," I say, shaking my

ys, handing me a crumpled t

ffy eyes. "Today's been the worst. I lost my jo

my hand. "I'm sorry, girl. That's rough. But h

ew. "Where were you headed before I called?" I ask, fi

k and re-applies it like she's painting a masterpie

you'd cause a traffic

hen her smile turns mischievous. "An

shake my head,

nd cry into your pillow over that jerk? Or do you wanna hit the d

lub person. Y

she says, determined. "Sha

ast forward ten minutes, and I'm in her apartment, squeezed i

g bold black eyeliner across my lids

packed wall-to-wall with energy. Cassie greets a group of people wit

s over the thumping music, dr

ic pulses through me, drowning out every heartbreak, every worry. For the firs

most 3 a.m. The place is as quiet as a gravey

ble, swaying as I grip

I make my way to my room, and when I finally co

ning like a Tilt-A-Whirl. Within seconds, sl