ACT LIKE A WOMAN
Sept 4, 2012 1:22:04 GMT -5
Post by brie on Sept 4, 2012 1:22:04 GMT -5
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[style=width:350px; color:#414141; font-family:tahoma; font-size:11px; text-align: justify; letter-spacing:1px; float:center; padding:2px; margin: 2px; overflow: auto; height: 450px]January 2009
Sitting her cup of tea down on the garage sale coffee table she had picked up a few months after moving half way across the world, Aalina unfolded herself from her spot on the hand me down couch she had done her best to clean up. Her start up apartment, a studio that at times felt more like an over priced motel room, was all that she could afford, and even then it was almost out of budget. She had been in L.A. for almost ten months, and the two jobs plus internship she had landed occupied most of her time. But none of that seemed to matter after the past couple of weeks. The normally tidy, clean young girl was uncharacteristically disheveled. Her apartment was a disaster area, clothes, dishes, broken glass cluttering the small space. She didn't even notice, just stepping around it all as if it didn't exist.
Her birthday was in just a few days, but she had no desire to celebrate. She had closed herself off from the world, not having turned her cell phone on in days, or powering up her laptop. Other than work, she didn't leave her apartment, hadn't eaten in days, and only showered because no matter how low she was, she could never disregard personal hygiene. Aalina was broken, and had no one to turn to. She was drowning, and wasn't even fighting to resurface.
After moving to Los Angeles, it had taken her about a month to get on her feet, staying with a family friend of her father's. And even though they were supportive, and helpful, she couldn't help but feel like a burden. It had fueled her to find a job, and quickly, finding employment at a local restaurant as a waitress, and also as a dancer at a night club. Neither of them made her happy, but, they paid the bills and helped her get her own place. It was also how she ended up in this state, wearing sweats and sweatshirts that were three sizes too large.
Making her way into the small bathroom, she avoided her reflection in the mirror, adverting her eyes down as she started the shower, waiting for the water to heat up. Standing their, her mind mulled over the memory of meeting him, the one person that had been able to break such a strong girl. She had just started her job at the club, what was supposed to be a bar-tending gig turned into being a go-go, hype girl for the club. It paid better, and didn't depend on tips. When it wasn't her time to dance, she delivered bottles to tables, eye candy for the club goers. She would always remind herself that it was just to get her through, to pay bills until she got her break into the industry.
At the end of her time slot one night, as she stepped down from the small platform stage set aside for the different dancers, and fell straight into the arms of a charming young man. He was smooth, attractive, and Aalina was immediately smitten. She apologized, feeling her cheeks burn with embarrassment. Even then, standing in her bathroom, she could still feel her cheeks pinken. That was how everything started, and she just wished someone had told her to run right then.
As the night progressed, she did her best to avoid him, embarrassed she had fallen into him. But, it wasn't just that; without even knowing his name, his smile made her heart race. Finally, when she had to deliver a bottle to his table, it seemed fate had a different plan for her. He was slick, introducing himself as she set the bottle down, giving her that perfect smile once again. Aalina was hooked, and soon they were trading numbers.
That one night led to her first serious relationship since her high school sweetheart that she had given her virginity to. Dominic Brady was a breath of fresh air from her rocky start in LA. Aalina ran a hand through her messy curls, her naturally dark roots showing more than normal. Chasing him from her thoughts, she pulled her sweat shirt up over her head, dropping it on the floor, a pile had started to collect. She hadn't even registered that the hoodie had been Dom's, it was something she would have rather not remembered. As she finished stripping down, she stepped into the shower, the hot water soaking into her skin. Closing her eyes as she tipped her head back, the water coaxing her hair, a few stray droplets running down her face, where just days ago tears had stained. She honestly had no more tears to cry, her body weak from her week of hystericals.
It was naive of her to believe that such a free spirited, outgoing guy would be faithful. That she could honestly fulfill someones every need. Aalina had never imagined the scene that she would walk in on, or that Dominic would be so nonchalant with the situation. Her mind showed flashbacks of the incident, her heart lurching just the same as it had done that day. She hurt herself more than he ever could, dwelling on it, replaying it over and over again in her mind. They had only been together for five months, and she had gone home to London for Christmas. It had been her gift from her parents, and she was so thankful she wouldn't have to spend the holiday alone. Once she returned home, she had decided to stop by Dom's place, surprising him. Of course, that was her fault. She could have saved herself heart ache if she had called ahead, or, not even bothered at all.
She hadn't talked to him since that day, and even then, they didn't say much. Aalina had just turned around and left, not bothering with stupid questions. The situation spoke for itself, and as naive as she had been, she wasn't stupid. It had been about two weeks, and she could start to feel her emotions swing. From hurt to anger, and from tears to hate. She had trusted him, foolishly, and now she was the one paying the consequences. Washing her hair rather quickly, she hurried up her shower.
Aalina was tired of being the victim. Tired of letting him still effect her daily, knowing that he had not a care in the world. Shutting the water off, she stepped out, seemingly a new person. It was as if the shower had cleansed, not just her exterior, but her interior as well, washing her clean. Drying herself off, she took to cleaning the bathroom, picking up her discarded clothing before dressing herself. She was moving on, pushing him from her thoughts, and locking her memories of him away in the back of her mind.
It was a new day, one that Dominic Brady was no longer a part of.[/style][style=width:350px; font-family:georgia; font-style:italic; font-weight:bold; font-size:18px; text-align: right; letter-spacing:1px; float:center; padding:2px; margin: 2px; color:#616161; letter-spacing:-1px;]THINK LIKE A MAN[/style]