~Action expresses priorities.
-Mahatma Gandhi

I think I've lost all of my brain cells at this moment just by sitting here staring at the wall. Everything happened so fast, and I still couldn't process it all. Staring was the only thing that kept my brain alive.

I hadn't moved off the couch after much thinking about what Vincent said about my parents and him coming back to me. It was too much to take in knowing this was all my parents' fault. They had sold me. Who knew how long it had been since this happened, since they sold me to a possessive control freak, a fucking workaholic? Truth be told, I'm just going with what the internet says and Tina.

It was morning. The sun pierced its way through the little window, making some light pass through. There were heels clicking on the tiled floor. My head snapped to Tina, who was dressed in a tight sequins' spaghetti strap dress that was mid-thigh. Her hair was all messy and so was her makeup. The bright red lipstick was a smudge on her lips and a few that wiped on her cheeks, causing me to look at her in distaste.

She swayed her hips from side to side on the way, taking off her heels and plopping beside me on the couch. I sighed, pushing myself up, going to the kitchen to get her a glass of water and aspirin as last night's memories played over in my head like a record and one part that was actually stuck drove me crazy.

"You know Tina," I said, taking back a seat right beside her, "You should stop doing this to yourself." She peeked one eye open taking the water and aspirin.

"You know Laura, it's not easy for me. It has been rough these past few weeks," she sighed, resting her face on my lap. I could feel the dampness on my legs, but I let her cry while patting her head in a gentle way. She stared up at me, and I felt a pang in my chest. My best friend was broken, and I couldn't do anything but comfort her. I couldn't take away the pain that she was feeling.

I watched the tears traced down her cheeks. I knew she couldn't hold it any longer while she trembled in my arms clutching on to my pajamas. A great sob escaped her, and she covered her face with shaking hands. My eyes were filled to the brim with tears, a single tear followed by another until I couldn't count them anymore.

Constant sniffing echoed through the house of both the hurt and distressed. With glossy eyes, Tina looked up at me before engulfing me in a tight hug. "I'm glad that you were here," she said through hiccups as more tears came, more thoughts whirled through my head.

"You shouldn't stress yourself over that asshole. Honestly, he's not that good-looking either." Her eyes brimmed with tears, the smile tugging at her lips broke into a grin, and I couldn't help but grin also. She let out a yawn, stretching her limbs, looking around groggily.

"Tell me what's up and why were you staring at the wall like a lunatic?" I chuckled, moving a strand of her blonde hair that was fading to its original Chestnut color.

"Well......" I started by explaining everything that had occurred last night, which I still can't come to the conclusion that it was real.

She squealed at me, engulfing me in a bone-crushing hug. "Can't breathe, can't breathe" she pulled away, giving me one of her smiles that reached up to her ears before it disappeared with a tired yawn. Her eyes shut on their own while her body sank deeper into the couch.

I furrowed my eyebrows looking at the man's jacket that I hadn't noticed flung over the arm of the couch. I smirked evilly and apologized for what I had planned next.

"Tina, how and when did you get back here?" She jolted up looking around dazed and confused. I had to stifle a laugh. She pouted at me and I had to burst out laughing at how cute she looked doing that. She slapped my arms playfully, but I faked hurt and winced, "Ouch!" She rolled her eyes and answered my question.

She couldn't get a car because she didn't have one, and she was afraid of cabs. Normally, she would have another friend drop her off, but a male friend? That was not normally her. She wouldn't come to the apartment but would go straight to her mom's house, which was located near some clubs she'd normally go to. "Oh this guy, I think his name's Mason Patterson. He dropped me off last night. I think I have his jacket or something. I'm going to sleep. " I frowned as I watched her get up, walking in the direction of her room, repeating the man's name over and over again.

My alarm went off, so I took it on myself to go and get ready for work, leaving all that happened last night in the back of my head, thinking it was all a bad dream, but in reality, it was true.

I looked at my reflection. My brown skin glowed underneath the light. With one last glance at myself, smoothing out my skirt, I grabbed my coat and bag, stepping out of my apartment, glancing back at the stack of pancakes that I had left on the table for Tina when she woke up to get ready for work.

A relationship for almost four years ended because of her sister. It was her wedding day, to be exact. The next day, he sent her into a tremendous shock for weeks. She blamed herself for his mistakes. She blamed herself for not being able to have the time for him, for not being enough, for not giving him a child. There were so many things that made her think that it was all her fault but i dont think it was all her fault she was working si hard for that marriage she even wanted a child because he wanted one too so many things that he wanted she tried to make it come through. Her parents, friends, co-workers, bartenders, anyone she reached out to who was willing to listen. When the people who love you know you are hurting, they really do rally around you.

When it all ended, she was devastated. She's still here now and I wonder how long she will live like this. It racks my whole body to know that I can't mend her broken heart but only offer support. She was always there for me when I had my breakdown and I am thankful for that.

Chris knew he had messed up regardless of treating Tina like a side piece. He was a fool to lie directly in front of us because he was positive that he had slept with Tina instead of Trina. Trina was Tina's twin sister who had the same features as her but a completely different body type, hair color, and, of course, personality.

He showed up here on multiple occasions when she wasn't here. I couldn't bring myself to tell her that the bastard had actually come here to apologize for something he regretted. I told him he needed to stop showing up here. I told him explicitly that he had hurt her and that his return would only add more to her pain. But did he listen? No, he didn't be the caring friend I am. I did what any best friend would've done.

I threatened him; I threw things at him that bruised him; and I could've been sent to jail, but I didn't care. He can't just apologize and expect everything to go back to the way it was. I'm not normally one to be direct, but I felt like if I had allowed her to know that he had been coming here, things would've been different.

Stepping out, it was pretty cold. Even though it was early September, it was still a bit chilly out. I clung tightly onto my coat, trying my best to find warmth in it. I was a few blocks away from Levis company. Normally I'd be happy, but today I seemed to be off, as if I knew something bad was going to happen, but I couldn't point my finger in what direction.

"I'm sorry Laura, but you can no longer work here." Mr. Levi's while handing me an envelope. There was a heavy feeling in my stomach that had me rooted in my spot. My muscles were so rigid that I could barely move my arms to take the envelope.

He cleared his throat, and I was quickly brought out of the trance that I was in. My attempt at a smile was more like a grimace when I took the envelope and left without glancing around the old building.

Irritation surged up inside me and I knew I shouldn't have left all of this purposely slipped my mind. He got me fired from my job. What else was he going to do? Burn down my apartment? Just the thought of that made me want to run home, he could kill Tina and not care.

I speed walked straight to the apartment and when I was about to step foot inside, I came to a halt.

"Ms. Smith, wait a minute, can I have a chat?" I could see him swallow hard, "I promise it won't take long." What the hell did he want now? I turned around fuming at my landlord, who was shaking like hell. "What is it now Howard?" I was annoyed at myself for even having to stop now. I was talking to one of the people that i hated the most, who had done something stupid that could have me kicked out of my apartment..

"I'm sorry, but you can no longer stay in this apartment." I guessed I was wrong. He wasn't going to burn down the apartment.

"I'm really sorry, but the buyer offered a price that I couldn't refuse." I balled my fists together, closing my eyes. "Of course, he would do something like this," I said through gritted teeth as one of my eyes twitched.

I searched inside my handbag and finally found the phone tugging at my hair. I was completely irritated. I searched for the address of the company of that impeccable fool and rang Tina's phone.

Ring!

Ring!

"Hello," Tina answered, and I could hear her.

"I'll be back home a bit late. I can't believe that fool had to be fired from my job!" I couldn't possibly tell her that we were going to be kicked out of the apartment, so I left that part out.

She sighed heavily, "Everything will be fine, but please don't call me again. I want to sleep. You could've come up to the apartment because I'm literally looking down at you from the window." I contoured my head and looked up at the window where she stood waving down at me.

"Go give him a piece of your mind now goodbye." She hung up, walking away from the window.

That bastard just shows up and thinks he has the right to make decisions. He'll pay for this.