Yard-lane Dr.

Los Angeles, CA

Rushing towards the restaurant doors, she pushed through in her five inch heels that she wore with the slinky but stretchy cocktail dress.

It was a dress with a snug pencil skirt and long trailing fringe sash around the waist that was balanced with an elegant neckline and long sleeves. Her hair was pinned up in a high ponytail that draped over her shoulder. As she approached the restaurant and made her way in, the dim lights inside gave the place a more relaxed tone.

Sadie was celebrating her cover for Paper Magazine. This was a big accomplishment for her, although she's been on the runway and modeled for different brands she has never been the face of a cover. "Ms. Holman?" The man stood in a tailored suit asked her, she nodded as he motioned for her to follow him to the back. Their way there she caught a glance at a couple. Enjoying each others presences as they laughed over the exquisite dinner in front of them. Just by staring for what had to be ten-seconds, they laughed harder at the fact that the man didn't so much like what he was just fed by her but gave a fake smile to please his woman. That caused Sadie to smile. Seeing how he was able to take that sacrifice just to see the one he loved happy.

"Here you are" he said, proceeding to tell the two waiters to slide open the doors, to take her into the private room. When he stepped aside, she saw her friend group flashing cameras towards her face.

"CONGRATS" they all said in unison. Sadie did everything in her power to hold back her tears. She just got her makeup done and didn't need her celebration pictures having her looking like a raccoon.

The black square legs and rustic wooden top table that seated all her friends gave a sense of charm and novelty. Pictures of her in the tub filled with honey and on the rooftop were made into large canvas prints and plastered on the walls. The color scheme were soft neutrals such as khaki, brown, taupe, white, and ivory. Setting the atmosphere as calm and comfortable. Bouquets sat in the center of the table as well as ten inch candlesticks.

Sadie gradually made her way to each person, the first being Mike who was accompanied by his wife Ebony. The two were color coordinated, with Mike wearing tan skinny-fit suit pants sported with a clean pair of Alexander McQueens and a white button down. Ebony was like his accessory on his arm, her brown stain spaghetti strap backless dress complimented her chocolate skin.

"Congratulations Sadie" Ebony stood from the chair to give her a proper hug. Her cream and vanilla scent swiped across Sadie's nose when they hugged. Mike stood there waiting for the two to finally pull away. "Your pictures are amazing Sadie" Ebony said again, midway from pulling away.

"Thanks Ebony, and thanks for coming with this bozo" Sadie said pointing to Mike who still stood there, watching the two talk.

"You know I'm the one that compliment him not the other way around" she laughed and proceed to head back to her seat.

Mike fixed the sleeves of his shirt before leaning in and pulling Sadie into a bear hug. They stayed there in that stance for what had to be at least two minutes before Sadie said something. "Okay" she murmured , "you acting like I just got married or something"

Mike laughed, running his finger over her face to fix a hair that was out of place. Even when he wasn't working he was working. "I'm just proud of you that's all" he said, with nothing but sincerity in his voice, "you deserve all of this you know that right"

She knew she did. What most people dreamed for, happened for Sadie within a three year span. She came to Los Angeles with only her hopes and dreams. No handouts or knowing anybody in the industry, all she had was determination and dedicated and look where it got her. "Okay" Cynthia said walking towards them. Simple as always, she wore a pink fitted dress and nude heels. Her hair in her usual curls but her makeup slayed to the gods. "Can I congratulate her"

"My fault" Mike smiled, moving to the side to allow Cynthia to walk up closer, "I'm going back to my wife" he said before looking at Sadie one last time.

All her friends, people who were in the industry and those that weren't, were here to support her. This meant more to her than she could explain. She never thought that she would be on a cover of anything let alone a magazine. She was already enjoying what today had to offer and she couldn't wait until she found out what the future held. "Congrats" Cynthia whispered, giving her a side hug then pulling away, "you look gorgeous by the way" she looked her up and down.

"Thanks Cee, I just can't believe what we are celebrating tonight"

"Yeah" she smiled, looking over her shoulder to see the different people at the table. "But forget all the mushy stuff, let's eat and have fun okay"

Sadie nodded, as Cynthia put out her hand for her to grab it. When she did, she lead the way to the chair that sat at the head of the table that was specifically for Sadie. On the right of her was her friend Britney who was seated next to her plus one and on the left was an empty seat. She ignored it and sat down.

The clashing of the knife hitting the side of the glass, caused everyone to turn their attention to Cynthia who was seated two chairs away from her. "Hey everyone" her soft spoken voice could barely fill the room, "tonight we're celebrating a person I consider to be my best friend who I absolutely adore"

"She's not only an inspiration in the model industry but also the person that signs my checks" she laughed causing a few to laugh with her, "but she's the reason we're all here tonight, every single one of us are different in our own way—brought together by one person." She stopped to stare at Sadie who held a smile on her face. "Everyone raise their glass" she said, raising hers in the air as everyone followed suit.

"Congratulations Sadie on your cover and not just that—congrats on your career thriving—"

The sliding doors opened, causing Cynthia to put a halt onto her speech. Everyone eyes went towards the thing that was interrupting this special moment, only to see Jodie scrolling in—with Beverly right behind her. Sadie face showed every emotion she felt. Mike slouched in his seat, avoiding eye contact with anyone. Cynthia spun back around to face Sadie and the rest at the table. "To Sadie" she whispered

No one said a word. Most people there didn't know what was going on but it wasn't rocket science to figure out something was off. Cynthia sat back down, the room didn't go complete silent, some people went back to their conversations while others didn't. Jodie made her way to the head of the table where Sadie sat while Beverly stood by the door. Why were they here? She didn't invite Jodie and she most definitely didn't invite Beverly.

Briefly looking down the table, Cynthia mouthed the words "I'm sorry" but that's not what she wanted to hear. This night was going so good and boom, here comes the bomb. The problem wasn't that Jodie showed up unannounced, it was the non factor she brought with her. But no matter how bad she wanted to hate, Beverly looked even better in person. How was that possible? How could someone be so perfect? There wasn't a flaw that Sadie could pick at that could make Beverly feel any type of way. Her black hair styled in a bob, it was the clear and cocoa skin that had Sadie at a daze. Big bubbly eyes, full plump lips and a perfectly shaped nose that most girls would die for.

"Hey" Jodie said, bending down on one knee, to get at the same level as Sadie.

"What are you doing here?" not caring if she came off as rude, she seriously wanted to know why she felt it was okay to ruin her night.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jodie jerked her head back, "I was invited like everybody else here" she said looking around at the table.

"I didn't invite you though so—"

"You good?" Jodie cut her off. Just by Sadie's tone you could tell something was off. No matter how much she wanted to act like she wasn't fazed, she was—but she couldn't let Jodie know that.

"I'm fine" she straight answered her.

"Okay" she mumbled , "I don't know what's your problem, but I just came by to say congrats and I can't stay. Beverly came back last minute"

Sadie eyes averted back to Beverly who stared back and gave an awkward smile. "I didn't want to be rude and not show" Jodie said again, "but congratulations on the cover Sadie I'm really happy for you" she leaned in for a hug. None of that meant anything to her. Her reasoning for not inviting her was because she didn't want to have to think about her, at least for one night.

"You look" Jodie started, as her eyes roaming down Sadie's body, "you look beautiful" she smiled, "like always"

Cynthia nervously taking sips of her wine as she burned holes into Sadie, caused her to meet eyes with her again. Once Jodie left, she was going straight to her to have a talk. She knew it was nobody but her that gave her the invite. What was her purpose of getting in Sadie's business? Why was she so worried about her love life so much that she decided to go behind her back and invite somebody she knew Sadie didn't want there. "Have a good night okay" Jodie said, finally standing straight up. She looked over her shoulders, waving Beverly who still stood by the door to come over. "Let me introduce y'all before I leave"

"Nah tha—" Sadie thought about what she was going to say but decided it was best to keep it to herself. If she decline the introduction that Jodie was trying to give, it would make her look pressed something that she most definitely was but nobody needed to know that. She watched as Beverly slowly made her way over to them. The closer she got the more she was able to see her beauty.

"Baby this is Sadie the old friend I told you about" she spoke, their arms intertwining with each other's

"Hi" Beverly smiled sticking out her free hand in hopes that Sadie would shake it. "She's been telling me so much about you. I'm glad I can finally put a face to the name."

In the inside Sadie was frowning in disgust but she had to wear the fake smile. She looked at Beverly's hand for a quick second before putting hers out and locking them together, "Oh and congratulations on the cover, these pictures are amazing" she said again.

"Mhmm" Sadie murmured, releasing her hand, "thank you and it's nice to finally meet you to Beverly right?" She furrowed her brows acting as if she didn't already know who she was. This caught Jodie off guard and caused her to scrunch up her face.

"What's up with you" Jodie blurted

"How many times you gone ask me that?"

"Until you get that shit in check!" Jodie snapped back.

"Okay" Beverly awkwardly butted in, "I think we should go and let you enjoy this special moment with your friends" she rubbed her hand against Jodie's arm, "don't you think so baby" she looked over at her.

Jodie eyes never left Sadie's and it was vice versa for her. She didn't mean for her jealously to show but it was something she had no control of. "Man whatever" Jodie said, grabbing a hold of Beverly's hand, "y'all have a good night" she said to the rest of the table, turning to head towards the door. Britney who wasn't far from the conversation looked at Sadie like she wanted to say something but second guessed on it.

As soon as the room was clear of Jodie and Beverly, Sadie instantly stood from the table and walked her way over to Cynthia. Mike saw the look on her face and decided to get up as well. She didn't even have to say anything and Cynthia followed right behind her. Walking out to the main area of the restaurant, Sadie made her way to the bathrooms, where she could have a private but intimate conversation with no interruptions.

When it was clear, she pushed open the restroom door—walking over to the sinks, turning to press her body against it. In comes, Cynthia and Mike not too far behind. Although this was a women's restroom, he didn't care at the moment. He went to each stall knocking and making sure no one was inside. When it was clear, he walked over to the door and held guard, just in case anyone tried to come in.

"I know" Cynthia sighed, "I fucked up didn't I?"

"Quick question" Sadie ignored her question, because hers was the only one that truly mattered, "what did you think you were accomplishing by inviting her?"

"I was just trying to help that's it"

"By being in my business?" Sadie furrowed her brows, "Why are you so invested in my love life?"

"I'm not" Cynthia frown, "I was just being a friend who was trying to help Sadie that's it."

A smile spread across her face followed by a soft laugh. Mike still stood by the door, watching the two talk as if he wasn't currently in an unfamiliar setting. He looked at the two as if they were his sisters and he just didn't want things to go left if he was able to be there to prevent anything from happening. "Do you want to eat my pussy or something?" She blurted before thinking. Soon as the words left her mouth she regretted it. The bathroom grew quiet, so quiet they were able to hear the water in the bathroom flowing through the pipes.

"Excuse me?" Cynthia started to get loud. She took a few steps forward which caused Mike to come from by the door and walk over to them. "Did you seriously just say that to me? All because I'm trying to help you"

"Did I ask for your help Cynthia? No, so why the fuck are you so invested in what I got going on with Jodie? Do you wish you were her?

"Fuck you!" She shouted , "Like real life fuck you Sadie!" the pitch in her voice let it be known that she was pissed and as sensitive as Cynthia was, she was on the verge of tears.

"Can we just forget any of this happened and go enjoy the rest of the night" Mike tried to diffuse the situation.

"Fuck this dinner" Cynthia shouted, "and no I don't wish I was Jodie to answer your question. Excuse me for trying to be a good friend. I just hate to see you miserable over someone who doesn't have a clue about how you feel about them. But you know what" she said as her eyes started too well up with tears, "it won't happen again I promise you that."

She didn't give enough time for Sadie to say anything else before she turned and left out the bathroom, leaving just Mike and her in there alone. Soon as the door slammed, the look that Mike gave Sadie, she already knew what she said was wrong but she was pissed. "Did you really have to say that?" He asked

"Did she really have to invite Jodie?"

"She was only trying to help, she didn't think Beverly was going to be with her"

Sadie pushed off the sink and stood straight up, "Well that's what happens when you don't think and just assume"

In one night she got into it with two of her friends. None of this was planned and none of this is what she thought was going to happen. If it wasn't for that uninvited guest, Sadie would probably be on her fourth glass of wine right now, enjoying her glory. But instead she's in the women's bathroom with Mike... feeling bad about what she said to one of best friends and regretting that her jealously took over.

Here & Now

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