Amelia
NOVEMBER
The last coupleof months I lived in a constant daze.
I moved in with my dad the night I caught Sebastián cheating. I hate how heartbroken he was for me. The man has suffered enough by losing the love of his life, and I hate that my poor choice in men added another reason for him to be upset.
Nikki’s uncle is the landlord in her building, so they were able to pull some strings and get me a studio apartment, ready to move in two weeks after the scandal occurred. It was definitely tight quarters, but better than commuting to work from my dad’s place every day. Plus, I needed my own space to be able to cry freely without worrying about raising my dad’s blood pressure.
I went from happily engaged, living in a two-bedroom apartment in the Upper East Side, to a publicly embarrassed singleton living in a classic NYC shoebox in the Upper West Side.
Still a great location, just shitty setup complete with life changes.
I don’t know how, but the news of my broken engagement was met with minimal murmurs from the cousin crew. I’m pretty sure Antonio put a gag order on everyone, or more specifically, put a muzzle on Priscilla.
Every day in my new apartment goes the same way.
I wake up, cry in the shower, get ready for work, then head out. I work myself to the bone, arrive home as late as possible so I don’t have to face my reality, then watch trash TV in bed until my eyelids give way. Real depressing stuff.
The only silver lining is that Nikki lives two floors above me, and forces me to hang out in her apartment almost every day. We order food, drink and pressure her boyfriend Justin into watching the cheesiest movies with us. It honestly feels like a never ending adult sleepover.
“Okay, so don’t kill me …” Nikki starts.
“Hmm, that sounds really promising.” I side eye her from her couch as she paces in front of me.
“Well, I just thought that it would be nice for you to break the ice, and sign up for a dating app. Just to go on a few dates, nothing serious,” she says casually, even though Nikki is anything but.
“Ha. Absolutely not. I have sworn off love for the foreseeable future, thank you very much.”
“Ugh, come on Amelia. Just for fun. You’re obviously not in the market for a relationship, so this will just be a little experiment. To see what kind of men are currently swimming in the dating pool.” She wiggles her brows.
“Nikki, I swear you must be good in bed, because you’re fucking crazy if you think I would go out on a date with anyone at this point in my life.”
“Fineeeee. Will you at the very least go out dancing this weekend with Justin and me? Nothing crazy, just a party at a new hotspot. Pleaseeeeeeee,” Nikki says with a pout.
I roll my eyes dramatically. “Sure. That I can do. But just dancing, nothing crazy, you got that?” I point at her.
Nikki’s grin widens and she seems quite pleased with herself. “Okay, let’s get you a sexy outfit!” She sprints towards her closet to start the search.
“Wait a minute. Did you just play me?” I ask.
Nikki laughs hysterically. “I knew you’d catch on, but you already agreed to go out with us so you can’t back out now!” she exclaims, gleaming with pride.
I always fall for this with her. Nikki makes an absurd request that she knows I will turn down, then offers a more reasonable request after, which I feel more inclined to accept. The thing is, she only ever wants me to do the second option, and the first suggestion is always something outrageous to throw me off. I never learn.
“Come on Amelia, it’s not just about getting back in the game, it’s about changing that outdatedgood girlattitude that you seem to cling to. You try to be perfect all the time. You let people like Priscilla get away with treating you shitty, and you’re holed up in your apartment counting down the days until it is deemedappropriateto be happy after this breakup. It’s bullshit!” She throws her hands in the air.
“Sheesh, tell me how you really feel.” I take a sip of wine.
“I’m serious. It’s time to let people know that you’re no longer taking any shit!” She puts her hands on her hips.
“So you want me to be an asshole? I’m sure the guys will be lining up at the door for me now,” I say sarcastically.
“No, not an asshole. But just match people’s energy, ya know? You’re so loving and giving, and sometimes it goes to people who don’t deserve it. Priscilla, for instance. Next time she says something bitchy, give it right back to her! You guys aren’t little kids anymore, she needs to drop the high school act already. But hey, if she’s nice, feel free to match that energy too. I’m just saying it’s a new era for you Amelia. Time to get out there and let the world know. Now let’s find you a killer dress and get your groove back.” She extends her wine glass to cheers me.
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes. “But no need to go all out with the outfits. It’s not like I’m going to run into the love of my life at this party,” I say as I cheers her exaggeratedly.
The thought of a new Amelia? Huh. Guess I’ll take her out for a spin.
