Italian Ego

"So let me get this straight. You got an internship at the biggest hotel in town? That's not good news, it's incredible! It's not big, it's huge!" Sandy said as she dramatically jumped up and down. Seychelles had just broken the good news to her two roommates while they lazed about on their couch in front of the TV. A friendly sounding man had called to tell her she'd be expected in the morning on Monday and her friends couldn't be happier for her. Xavier nodded his head in agreement. He'd always been much more calm and level headed, so he didn't have as much energy as Sandy. Very few people did. "We have to go out to celebrate, guys. It’s a must," he said with a smile.  Seychelles grinned right back at them and shook her head. "That's all you two ever think of! No wonder I got myself a job while you guys are just sitting home all day on your lazy asses. And just so we're clear, tonight drinks are on you." They laughed good-humouredly. Seychelles Welts had a pretty good life and an average family. Her parents had been blessed with three children, twin boys and a girl. As the last born she had to put up with a lot of bullying from a young age. Her brothers, Damien and Derrick were, for lack of a better term; pigs. It didn't help her situation at all as they were both jocks in high school and six feet two inches tall by the time they were eighteen. She had no qualms with her height. She stood at five feet five inches, and she was perfectly fine with it. Although it was the perfect ammo for her brothers when they felt the need to make her life a living hell. Fortunately, they had matured by the time they had graduated college. They both realised how awkward and immature it would look for two twenty two year olds to constantly prank an eighteen year old freshman so much. They still had their moments, but she was okay with it. After all, no one wanted a boring sibling. Her parents were typical middle-aged folk. Her mother, Rabecca was Jamaican while her father was of Irish decent. Needless to say interracial marriages were frowned upon during their time, but they managed to take it all in stride. Plus people find it hard to frown upon an oil plant founder. That's right, she was rich. Well technically her parents were. Filthy rich. They were also the most down-to-earth people she knew. Usually rich meant stuck-up, snobby and in-your-face. But they weren't like that. They both agreed when her brothers had been born to give them the lives of any normal kids and not of one of Seattle’s most successful oil barons. They all went to public school and had the fairy-tale childhood that you read about in books. And then there were her best friends. Sandy Adams and Xavier Beaumont. The best friends any girl could ask for. She knew everyone said that, but once again, it was true. They were seriously full of s**t, but she loved them anyway. She and Sandy had been ‘BFFs’ since elementary school and were inseparable to this day. They met Xavier in their freshman year of high school during French class. They both sucked at it and were completely outraged when their b***h of a teacher gave them a class exercise. They had to do it in pairs, but since Xavier was new he had no partner. Imagine their stroke of luck! A heaven sent French dude to help them in their time of need. From then on it had been smooth sailing for the trio. They went on together to Seattle U where she majored in marketing communications. Xavier and Sandy both majored in engineering. Now that they'd all graduated they were rooming together in a nice three-bedroom apartment, much to her father's disappointment. Everyone knew what a bad combination the three of them made, but he'd get over it, he always did. Still, as well to do as her parents were, she didn't want to depend on them for everything. The apartment had been a graduation present. They came up with an agreement to handle the first year of rent and utilities, but after that they were on their own. Which was why her two best friends weren't in a complete hurry to become gainfully employed. She only hoped this new job would be a starting point for all of them to get it all together. Seychelles shrugged and stood up to join Sandy in getting ready. They could all worry about the future tomorrow. Tonight, they would celebrate. *** "One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, four...!" Those were the words that greeted Elle as she walked into the bar. She hated this part of town, but she always risked coming here because of her boyfriend Carlos. The rundown, shabby looking establishment didn't seem like a place that would be thriving, but the amount of customers who loyally visited made sure it stayed in business. Unfortunately for her, her boyfriend was one of those people. They were at a stage in their relationship where she knew it we coming to an end. She was really only still with him because she had been with him for so long that he was a familiar staple in her life. She knew her friends didn't like him, but there was nothing she could do about that. Still, Seychelles knew she'd have to break up with him soon. He chose to drink at his favourite bar instead of celebrating being hired, for goodness sake! That was never a good sign.    She spotted him in a group of people around the dance floor. They looked like they were having a good time so she was about to join them when she noticed something. A tall long-legged blonde was grinding up against him. Normally she wouldn't have a problem with it. It was just dancing after all, but there was also a heavy amount of petting and lip locking going on in between those dance moves. Her eyes hardened. If she had any reserves about her choice they were all gone now. She was dumping this loser. At the moment she really couldn't remember what she'd seen in him in the first place. He was one of those guys who loved to use people, and even though she'd been warned, by Sandy and Xavier of course, she ignored it. It was the first and last time that she'd ever ignore their advice. Elle strode forward slowly and wrenched his face from the kiss he was engrossed in by clutching at his wavy brown hair. "Hey Carlos!" she said with a bright smile. "Remember me? Your girlfriend?" He looked confused for a second, then embarrassed and finally guilt flashed in his eyes. He pushed off the blonde from his arm and faced Elle. He smiled brightly, sheepishly as if everything was normal. The gull! He leaned forward presumably to place a kiss on her cheek which was how he usually greeted her, but she side-stepped it. "Come sit down with me at the bar, Carlos. We need to talk. I have good news." They walked over to the bar and sat down next to each other. He tried to place an arm around her, but a simple glare from her had him awkwardly returning it to his side. He kept scratching the back of his neck uncomfortably while he tried to get the bartender’s attention.  "What's the good news, babe?" he asked as he ordered them their usual drinks. She remained quiet until their drinks were brought to them. Carlos took a desperate sip to alleviate the tension. She eyed hers, but didn't pick it up. "I'm leaving you." After a moment of silence he burst out in laughter and wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "That's a good one, but really, what's the good news?" Seychelles stood up to her full height, which admittedly wasn't much, and glared at him. "I'm serious. I'm leaving you. We're done. Over. Kaput. Finished." She turned to walk away when he grabbed her wrist in a vice-like grip. "Where the hell is this coming from? What did I even do wrong?" "You know what? The fact that you actually asked me that question proves how selfish you really are. You don't think of anyone but yourself." "Elle, I-" "Are you going to deny kissing that girl? I'm pretty sure that's called gaslighting, Carlos. I saw you. Actually, I'm the one that pulled you away from it, and you want to act like nothing's up? I'm not going to stick around waiting for you to get your s**t straight because that obviously isn't going to happen." She turned around to walk out. This time he didn't even try to stop her