Katrina is very worried about Farrah. Last night, Farrah happily told me that she likes someone. Why is she drinking alone in a bar tonight? She looks like she"s in so much pain… What happened to her?Farrah looks up at the sound of Katrina"s voice. "Katrina, you"re here!"
Katrina nods. "Yes, I"m here! Farrah, what happened? If something bad happened to you, you could tell me, I think of a way to fix it!"
"Patton!" cries Farrah, slapping the table with her hand, "more alcohol!"
The sudden movement nearly causes the bartender to spill the drink he is making.
When a drink doesn"t appear in front of her, she pounds the table again and shouts, "Patton! Hurry up!"
What the h.e.l.l did she call me? My name isn"t Patton! Despite his annoyance, the bartender can"t argue with a customer. He hands over two gla.s.ses of fruity drinks that have very little alcohol.
Farrah grabs a gla.s.s and takes a big gulp. She turns to Katrina to say, "Katrina, do you think poor people are doomed to a life without finding true love? Do you think we can only end up with poor people?"
Understanding dawns on Katrina. She"s upset because of the man she likes!
Clasping Farrah"s hand, she soothes, "That"s not true at all! Poor people can also find true love! As long as he loves you, no matter how different you are, you"ll always be together!"
Aaron and I are together despite our differences. He doesn"t care about my background at all… When I wanted to run away because of my doubts, he held me tightly and refused to let me go. Even though I don"t love him yet, I know that his feelings are sincere…
"His watch is broken," Farrah says without preamble, shaking her head, "I can"t even afford to replace the strap, but other girls can easily buy him a new watch. I don"t even have the right to stand by his side. How can I expect him to like me? How can I expect us to be together?"
Katrina wants to console Farrah, but she doesn"t know what to say. Maybe not everyone is as persistent as Aaron…
When Marcellus and I were together, we really liked each other a lot. But his mother didn"t approve of us and did everything to break us apart.
Being together with someone also means getting the approval of their family and friends. Even if Farrah"s doctor likes her back, it doesn"t mean his parents will feel the same way…
Even if I want to tell her it"s all going to be okay, I don"t want to give her false hope.
Katrina feels helpless. "I don"t know, Farrah…"
After a moment of hesitation, she unclasps the necklace she is wearing and puts it on Farrah"s neck. "Take this necklace, and it"s my greatest treasure. You are my best friend, Farrah, and I"m giving this necklace to you. I hope it will bring you good luck."
Farrah listens to her best friend in a daze. Before Katrina finishes talking, she slumps over and pa.s.ses out at the bar.
"Farrah? Farrah!" calls Katrina. She shakes Farrah"s shoulder gently, but the other woman doesn"t stir. Oh no, how do I bring her home? I can"t carry her by myself!
The bartender catches Katrina"s eye, and she perks up. "Excuse me, please help me with my friend!"
The man looks incredulous. Despite his reluctance, he walks over and helps Katrina support Farrah out of the bar until a taxi stops over to pick them up.
To the bartender"s pleasant surprise, Katrina remembers to pay for the additional drinks and gives him a tip for his a.s.sistance. "Thank you for your help!" she says before closing the car door.
The taxi arrives at Farrah"s house, where Patton is waiting at the front door. At the sight of Farrah slumped against Katrina, he starts to get terrified. He rushes over to help Katrina carry Farrah inside.
"Your sister is fine," Katrina hurries to say, "she just drank too much and fell asleep. She"ll be fine when she wakes up."
Patton becomes visibly relieved to hear the news.
Katrina stays at Farrah"s house for a while to look after Farrah. Once she is certain that Farrah will be all right, she goes back home.
It"s a bit late when Katrina gets back. Randy and Aaron must be asleep, she thinks, turning on the lights when she enters the living room.
She almost screams in fright when she sees Aaron sitting on the couch with his arms folded in front of his chest. His dark eyes are boring into her and she can feel his anger from across the room.
"Aaron! What the h.e.l.l are you doing in the dark?" She clutches her chest and wills her pounding heart to calm down.
Aaron arches an eyebrow and snaps back, "Waiting for you!"
Katrina feels nervous. "I"m a little tired, I"ll take a shower first!" she deflects, eager to leave Aaron alone to let him calm down.
When she walks by the couch, Aaron grabs her arm and pulls her closer. After taking a whiff, his eyes narrowed in disapproval. "Did you drink?" he accuses.
I must reek of alcohol, Katrina realizes. Since Farrah drank so much, the smell must"ve stuck to me. I also drank a little to accompany her… She nods honestly. "Yeah, but only a little."
Aaron stands up and takes Katrina in his arms.
Feeling her body being lifted off the ground, she encircles his neck to keep from falling. "Hey! Aaron! What are you doing?"
He frowns, a disgusted look on his face. "You smell bad! I"m taking you to the bathroom!"
Katrina is rendered speechless. He says I smell bad, but he still wants to carry me to the shower? What"s wrong with him?
When Aaron finally puts Katrina down in the bathroom, he has no intention of leaving.
Embarra.s.sed by his presence, she pushes him out the door. "Aaron, what are you still doing here? Go away, I can handle myself!"
Aaron"s voice broke no argument as he said, "I"m worried you won"t get the smell off. I"ll help you." Then he takes off her clothes without another word.