Page 2 of Magic or Madness

“Hi, what’s up?” I counter, listening as he describes his plans for the day.

“Don’t get wasted at brunch, okay? I want to check out the new diner tonight,” he commands, and I roll my eyes.

“Yeah, sure, that sounds fine. I have to go. I’ll see you tonight.” I rush him off the phone, not in the mood for his slight control issues.

Bryce means well, and he’s a nice kid, but hissuggestionshave begun to drive me insane. It’s always the small things, like asking me to wear a different top when we go out, or micro-managing who I hang out with.

I’m a natural people pleaser and easy to manipulate, making me a target for a control-freak to hold their thumb over. At least I can recognize the flaws within myself, unlike most people.

Once my makeup is finished, I fluff my lilac-purple hair one last time, watching it shine in the mirror, and turn on my heel to exit the bathroom. I quickly dress in jeans and a navy blue blouse, opting for white sandals instead of heels.

“Fal, are you ready?” Mick calls out, as I race to join them in the living room.

“Ready!” I smile, taking in her outfit.

Michaela, or Mick as we call her, radiates in a long pink maxi dress, and her butt-length blonde hair flows down her back. She’s drop-dead gorgeous, and she knows it.

Our other roommate, Rae, is a tomboy and rarely dresses up for the occasion. Her hair is fixed in its usual bun, and her jeans and t-shirt combo are as plain as mine. We let Mick turn heads in our trio and are all content with our roles.

“I’ll drive. You two can drink,” Rae says, holding the door open for us.

“Thank you, Rae,” Mick coos, twirling in her dress as we walk down the hallway.

The restaurant is across town, and once we finally get there, we waste no time ordering two pitchers of mimosas – one for each of us.

Screw Bryce, it’s Sunday, and I want to drink.

Mick forgoes a glass, chugging straight from the pitcher with a straw; before long, she’s drunk, singing along with the music playing through the restaurant's speakers.

All eyes are on our table, and Mick thrives off the attention. I can’t help but laugh as she stumbles around with her pitcher, making us look like crazies.

Rae hates the spotlight, so she rushes to pay our tab, practically dragging Mick outside by her hair. I stay a few strides behind, enjoying the slight buzz from my personal pitcher.

Brunch never goes as expected with the three of us, and today is no different. Rae is lecturing Mick, begging her to behave as we walk to the car. Mick rarely does what she’s asked, embracing the role of the rebel and taking the opportunity to run ahead of us. Just as we think she’s out of sight, she stops, lifting her dress and flashing her ass at us.

“Mick, get in that car right now! You can’t flash people in the fucking daylight!” Rae yells, unlocking the car and squeezing her eyes shut at the chaos.

I’m the quiet one of our group, letting Rae and Mick’s personalities do the clashing and dominating. I’m just here for a good time, and I don’t mind the craziness that ensues around me daily.

“Mick, you’re in the back. I can’t drive with your crazy ass next to me,” Rae says sternly, climbing in the driver’s seat.

“But Rae, I want music,” Mick whines, but that idea is shot down quickly.

“I’ll pick a song, Mick. Something subtle because Rae is blind as a bat, and we need her focused on the road, okay?” I offer, sticking myself in the middle of their tiff.

“Fine, Fal. You pick songs,” Mick slurs, settling down in her seat.

Rae silently thanks me as we drive toward our apartment, and once we get home, Bryce’s car is parked in our visitor's spot,waiting for me. We never set a time for plans, so I’m a little frustrated that he’s already here. Instantly, his presence hinders my ability to breathe freely, and I don’t like how that makes me feel.

Constricted.

“Did you know Bryce was coming over?” Rae asks suspiciously, her eyebrows knitted together with worry.

“We have plans, but I didn't know he’d be waiting for us,” I sigh, turning around to see Mick passed out across the backseat.

My mood shifts and I feel my attitude growing by the second. None of what’s happening right now is in my control, and I have to refrain from slipping into an abyss, reeling in the memories of the days when I didn’t have a say in what happened to me.

Rae shakes me out of my head, bringing me back into the moment, and we work together to wrangle Mick up the stairs, dropping her into bed to sober up.

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