N Fuller Ave.

Los Angeles, CA

It had been three days since her celebration dinner ended in shambles. She still haven't spoken to Cynthia, giving the reason she didn't know what to say.

As far as Jodie goes, she hesitated on whether she should call, the night after she left the restaurant. She sat in bed, staring at her number, fantasizing about how she was going to apologize for her behavior and everything was going to go back to normal. But when it all came down to it, it wasn't that easy. So now days have gone by and Sadie hasn't spoken to the two people that meant everything to her.

This morning she was hiking the trail on Runyon Canyon Park that is near the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Occupying her was Mike and Gregory, this is something they did as a group but everything felt out of place without Cynthia being here. "Can we take a break" Greg huffed, leaning over with his hands placed on his knees like he was trying to catch his breathe.

"I know we haven't done this in a week or so but come on Greg do better" Mike laughed, patting his back gently as she walked pass him.

"I just need a minute" he fussed

Sadie stood there, watching as others on the trail pass them by. The sun was beaming today, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and it made perfect sense on why Greg was so tired that fast. Heat was draining especially if you didn't have the proper things with you to keep you cool. "You okay" Mike asked coming on the side of her. Was she okay? Kind of, her mind would wander every now and then but it wasn't nothing she couldn't get over.

"I've seen better days but I'm okay"

That was all she could say because she actually couldn't describe what she felt. Mike just nodded as he turned his attention to Greg again who was leaning on a rock. "Let me go give him some of my water" he insisted as he headed back over to him. Sadie standing in the same spot turned to see the view of Los Angeles, they haven't even made it to the top but they were somewhat there. Her phone ringing off the generic Apple ringtone, not trying to disturb the nature sound she hurriedly went to unzip the pocket on her leggings and pulled it out. 'Jodie' name ran across the screen. At that moment you would've thought Sadie died and came back to life.

"Hey" her voice cracked just a little with the nervousness she carried. Jodie's phone sitting on her lap as she was driving, she glanced down for a quick second before saying something.

"I hope you slept that attitude off" she spat, her face showing no expression, so Sadie knew she was still feeling some type of way. "Where you at?"

"I'm hiking with Greg and Mike" her eyes swiftly went over to them. They were still standing by the large rock, holding a conversation about something.

"You think I can pull up?" Jodie asked, her attention still on the road. Where ever she was going she was determined to get there.

"Pull up where Jodie?"

Her laughed, caused her cheeks to rise and show her dimples. Sadie loved when that happened. "Can I pull up to your house later Sadie? I don't know but that dinner a few nights ago been on my mind heavy" she said, coming to a complete stop, giving her the opportunity to pick up the phone—allowing her face to be in the camera. "Just want to eat and talk about it. Is that cool with you?" She asked again

Sadie needed to say sorry for the way she not only came for Jodie but Beverly. When it all came down to it, if she asked why she was acting the way she was—the only thing she could do is make up an excuse. "Hello Sadie" Jodie said, waiting for her to give an answer.

"I have things to do today" she lied, chewing on her bottom lip hoping she would just go on about her day.

"Okay" was all she said with a smile, "well just text me later or something"

Sadie gave a head nod and pressed the red button to end the call. Was it wrong she denied her offer to make amends? Yes, but not today at least, she still needed to recover from actually seeing the person Jodie was going to marry in a month or so. No matter how much she denied it, that crushed her heart.

The three eventually continued on the hiking trail once Greg came back to his senses and recovered from the dehydration. Once they made it to the top, Sadie took a few pictures for Instagram because she had a promo deal with a company who sent her a two piece work out set. It was a olive set that came with cropped stretchy leggings made from polyester with side pockets on each side to hold a phone or other important items when you didn't want to carry a purse—the matching cropped sports bra criss crossed in the back with adjustable straps.

After enjoying a day with Greg crying and Mike's father roles kicking in, they all went their separate ways. The fresh air brushing against Sadie's face as she sped through the streets. The sun was out and shining as she drove bobbing her head to the lyrics by Donell Jones "I'll Go". The hiking trail and her townhouse wasn't nothing but twenty-five minutes away from each-other. So once she pulled up, she reached up on her visor and clicked the button that was connected to her garage to allow it to open. As she waited, she watched one of her neighbors wave and then proceeded to walk their dog.

Turning back around towards the front, she continued to drive froward to park her car. Pressing the button again to let the garage door down she cut off the ignition. So focused on getting her purse out the passenger seat she didn't notice a figure standing outside her car. The knock on the window caused her to jump in fear, afraid to turn and see who it was.

"Yo lil scary ass" Jodie laughed, she creeped under the garage before it fully closed. She stood there with two brown bags in her hands. "I got food" she said holding the bags up to show Sadie.

Sadie rolled her eyes as she pushed the driver side door open, "Didn't I say I had things to do today"

"But yet you're at home" Jodie said back, "if you ain't wanna see me you could've said that."

"I didn't want to come off as harsh" as she finally stepped out and slammed the door.

The two still standing in her garage. Jodie with the same smirk on her face, wearing joggers and an oversized shirt. "I know you're hungry so I don't know why you playing"

Sadie looked down at the bags then back up at Jodie. She couldn't lie she was starving—after doing that hike with Greg and Mike, her stomach was doing backflips. She motioned for her to follow as she walked through her townhouse.

Jodie went straight towards the kitchen as Sadie went to her room. She wanted to shower before she even thought about getting comfortable and eating. Twisting the knobs on the shower, the water sprung out as she began to remove her clothes—her two piece set drenched in her sweat.

The moment the water hit Sadie's body, her eyes immediately closed shut. Being in a hot shower was were she did most of her thinking—whether it was about work, friendships or Jodie, the water soothes her. She could picture Jodie hopping in with her—that would make things in her life so much better. Just to feel Jodie's lips and skin against hers again would have Sadie spiral world come to a stand still.

What she didn't notice was Jodie standing in the door way watching her. Sadie was so into her thoughts that her eyes remained closed. "Excuse me" Jodie finally announced her self. Sadie eyes met with hers and her first thought was to cover herself, it was without doubt she saw everything Sadie had to offer through her see-through glassed shower. "What!" She yelled

Jodie smiled watching as Sadie struggled to cover all of her body, "We were once best friends, I seen your body before Sadie" she told, shaking her head at the thought, "the food laid out on the counter, I don't want it to get cold."

"Okay" was all Sadie said, waiting for her to leave out the doorway, "and please close the door behind you" she yelled out as Jodie did just that.

Within the next ten minutes, she was out the shower and sitting on the couch enjoying the Mexican food Jodie bought for them. The movie "The Wood" played on the TV as the two sat back and watched. Neither really talking but so much as enjoyed their food and each other company. Jodie's phone rung for the fifth time and it caused her to look back at Sadie. "Can I ask you something?" She finally ended the silence

"What's up?" She laid the plate of food next to her.

"Was me being Beverly the reason you had an attitude towards me?"

Struggling to swallow the food that was stuck in her throat, she felt like all eyes were on her. Of course that was the reason—why would she bring her anyway if she wasn't staying in the first place. "No" she lied, "I just wasn't having a good day from the start"

"You sure" she asked, watching Sadie's every move, "Beverly thought that maybe you didn't like her"

Well, she was hundred percent right about that. Sadie didn't know Beverly like that but to be fair she really didn't want to get to know her. "She's pretty and seem nice. Why wouldn't I like her" trying to sound as sincere as possible.

"I told her that" Jodie said, placing another fork full of food in her mouth. She chewed a couple times before swallowing, "I mean what would be your reasoning for not liking her" she scrunched up her face.

"Right" Sadie gave an uneasy smile, "now can we get back to the movie" she looked up at the TV.

"You would tell me right?" She completely ignored what Sadie said, "You would tell me if something was wrong?"

"Jodie" her name rolled off her tongue like butter, "I told you I was having a bad day, I didn't mean to take it out on you or her"

Jodie stood up from the floor, and made her way to the couch. She scooted closer to Sadie making her move the plate of food that was sitting next to her. "I told Beverly about our kiss when we were young"

Sadie frowned, confused on why that was even discussed, "Why?"

"Because she's about to be my wife and if I'm hanging around somebody that I kissed she need to know, whether it was old or not." She stated, "but once I told her that she implied that maybe you had feelings for me or something"

Sadie felt herself getting hot and uncomfortable. How was Beverly able to detect that and Jodie wasn't. "What" she laughed hoping that it would cause Jodie to do the same but it didn't. "I don't have feelings for you Jodie"

"I know" she finally smiled, "I just needed to hear you say that"

Feeling her chest cave in, she wanted this conversation to be over—the sooner the better, "so fuck all that" Jodie clapped her hands, "I need your help tomorrow"

"I have a few ideas I want you to see and I need your honest opinion" she said again. Switching the subject like nothing just happened. Like Sadie didn't just hide her feelings towards her or her envy towards Beverly. "Think you can stop by my place?" She asked looking straight at her as Sadie avoided eye contact.

"Y-y-yea" she stumbled over her words. The sweat her body was producing was causing her to become warm, "anything for you" she stated

Jodie smiled and nodded her head, "That's what I like to hear" turning her attention back to the movie.

Yeah anything for you, Sadie thought.

Here & Now

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