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Es scanned the crowded club, searching for a familiar face When she ca to come

“What’s going on with you tonight?” Kali asked

“I invited ht if she cas over”

Kali sighed “Honey, when you throith the Wild Ones, there are people you’ll lose because they don’t understand”

“It shouldn’t be that way, Kal,” Es said, refusing to give up her best friend or her…man? Boyfriend sounded too silly as old as they were

“No, but if wishes were fishes, the world would be an ocean”

“You’re not helping”

“What? You’re nicer than ht forgive, but I won’t forget” She shook her head “That’s how you get screwed repeatedly, and unless you’re my man, I’m not about that life”

“She’s not just anyone This woive up on et their pound of flesh”

“The real test cos they expect of you Or can no longer do the things they want you to If they stick around, the friendship is true If they ju them for who they’ve always been They save you the trouble of re them from your life”

“Jesus, Kal Is it all so black and white with you?” Es asked

“Once you’re betrayed enough, you grow a thick skin and learn to see the signs on the wall for what they are Good-byes are never easy But there co your heart becomes self-preservation This world and the selfish people in it can break you down and drain you dry You have to find that balance between understanding and flexibility and being a naïve doormat”

“I’m not a doormat”

“Never said you were The fact is, sometimes you have to remind others of that fact and let the pieces fall where they ht But if she doesn’t, think about what that says and ree that it’s okay to treat you with disrespect I can tell you now yourthat, and you do not want him to be the one to check her He’s not as nice as you or me”

Despite her harsh words, it felt good to have people in her corner The year had been lonely for so many reasons Snake came with a ready-made family who accepted her as she hich was a rarity