Alicia Thomas: I've never believed in love

The last box lands on the wooden floors, signaling her exhaustion. "Alright, that's the last of it." Yara throws herself with a plop onto the plastic wrapped couch. "You know what I need right now?" Alicia giggled, knowing very well where the conversation was going. She peeped through the kitchen door and looked at a sprawled out Yara on the couch, her eyes winking in a suggestive manner as he hair bounced with the movement of her head. "MARGARITAS!" They both screamed out. Excitement teeming out of them and dulling out the exhaustion from the move. "Look for the box with the bottles, I'll get the glasses." she yelled from the other room. The move was a spontaneous decision that Alicia had made. She'd had a fight with her mother and her brother and as a job post notification came through she applied with no hesitation. Packing up and moving from Mississippi to Florida took all her strength and her savings. Of course, the new job was going to make up for all the loss. Yara placed the box full of liquor on the counter. Alicia mixed up, all the ingredients and poured it out in the glasses. They headed back to the living area and sat down as the sun began to set. "I'd love for us to go out tonight. But we still have so much to do." Yara moped at the tons of boxes that were still unopened. Although the curtains were up and Alicia's bed was already made. The white brick walls and wooden floors were all bare. "We can make a trip, we do need to eat." Yara, sat right up at Alicia's words. "But, we need to shower first." they set off up stairs drinks in hand and didn't waste anytime. Yara was happy to be showing around her childhood friend. They'd known each other for twenty five years. Alicia pulled out the soundbar and played Cardi B's Outside. As the music blared the girls got distracted and danced. Yara twirked a towel in her hand and a shower cap in the other. Alicia followed suit bending down and snapping her fingers. They were like sisters, always holding space for each other when needed. As Alicia turned on the faucet for the shower, Yara brushed her teeth and washed her face. "You know, I don't get why you wash your face before bathing." Yara giggled. "I'm prepping my skin for the make up. It takes time for me and I know you don't like alot of make up." Alicia side smiled. "Well yeah, cause you're pretty just as you are." Yara rolled her eyes, the mask setting on her face like taped paper. Alicia giggled watching her. But as soon as the water was hot, she hopped in and took a quick shower. The bathroom filled with the soft fragrance of coco and vanilla. Yara sniffed, the essence itching at her nose. "Whatever that is, I'm leaving with it." A bubbling laugh emerged from Alicia, an expectant one. "I got you your own, check the cabinet at the bottom." Just a few weeks ago, Alicia had decided she's moving. Although Yara's birthday had already passed she decided to buy her gifts herself. Yara half screamed as she sat on the bathroom floor staring at the open cabinet. Nothing but the sound of running water from the shower could be heard. She sobbed a little, her heart pounding a little heavier as the tears were now at the brink of falling. Next to the box of make up and cosmetics was a picture of her and her mom. Yara rarely spoke about her mom, the only aspect they both dwelled on from their childhood was when they grew up together. When all things made sense. Alicia switch of the water and looked at her now emotional friend. "I know how long it's been." she placed a hand on the back of Yara and they fell into a complete comforting silence. "This is a new beginning isn't it?" Alicia looked at her, thoughts of all she'd left behind whirred in her mind. "Yes it is, now let's get going before we end up not going anywhere." Yara chuckled, she knew it took very little for them to change their minds. As she took a shower, Alicia finished up. Putting on a comfortable outfit and fixing her hair. In just fifteen minutes they were backing up the driveway. Yara led the way as she drove. The fall air was still a little warm. As they arrived at Edge, it was bustling with people after eight. But it wasn't as packed as the rest of the places. "Ohhh this is nice." They waited in a short line for a seat and managed to grab a table on the outside. The view of the bay area not far from them. Alicia smiled in wonder at the lights around them. Menus were brought out and they perused with ease. Alicia ordered a side car cocktail with some Buffalo wings and fries and Yara ordered a cosmopolitan with fried shrimp and calamari. As the night set off the bar became even more busy. After having lined their stomachs with food they ordered more drinks and enjoyed their weekend. "I'm going to the bathroom," Alicia mouthed loudly from across the table. It had seemed that her now third drink was going in at full swing. As soon as she'd gotten up from her seat she bumped into someone, a cold drink marking its space all over her shirt. "Awww Danggg!" she huffed in irritation. "I'm so sorry sir," she ran off to the bathroom and began wiping away at the porous shirt that had liquid dripping from her. As soon as she was done with the amenities, she found Yara seated with a man she didn't recognize. She saw the empty glasses on the table and smacked her forehead at the realization. "Hey, so I'm really sorry about that. I guess I owe you a drink huh?" The man stood up and smiled at her. A crooked and smug smile. "See I told you she wouldn't remember." Alicia looked from Yara to strange man, her memory vague about who exactly this man was. "Well, see you later Miss Thomas." Yara giggled once more as the man left. "Weird.... Uhm I think I'm ready to go now." her soaked shirt was far from drying and the air had gotten chilly over time. "It's cool, I've handled the bill." Alicia pouted at her friend's gesture and off they went. Heading back home to their bed. "Luke Mclaughlin," Alicia burst out in laughter. Greater than she'd ever had in the past week. "No ways, geeky Luke?" Yara nodded a smile on her face. "Man, people sure do change." Yara giggled again. "He said the exact same thing about you." As soon as they arrived, Alicia freshened up and put on fresh clean pajamas. Yara was out like a light in nothing but a t-shirt, shorts and socks. Alicia stood by the bathroom door and looked over at her friend. In that moment she'd felt more peace than she had the past few years. She switched off the light, climbed into bed and dozed off right beside her friend.