A.N.: This is a story by a friend of mine. I thought her story was written really well, so I had to type it up for her. All errors made are my fault and I apologize.

Disclaimer: None of this story belongs to me. I was given permission by the author to write this. If you wish to use this story, you must get permission from her first. Ask me for her e-mail address by Aiming or e-mailing me.

Her eyes glared through slit, piercing my head with needles and knives.

“How could you do that to me?! I waited, and I waited long, for you! You told me all sweet and stuff, oh, ‘I’m coming! Just getting a little somethin’ for ya, sweetie! Good-bye, see ya soon! Love ya!’ And that’s a quote! I waited two hours! TWO HOURS! Every time I checked my watch I told myself, ‘Oh, he’s just stuck in traffic,’ or, ‘that little present he’s getting is bigger than he described!’ How stupid I was, waiting at a five-star restaurant and making up excuses for you!” and suddenly, her rage became grief, and the tears smeared her make-up into colorful streaks down her face. I did not allow her eyes to meet mine, for my guilt was already bad enough. I tried to ignore it, but each word nipped and tugged at my conscience. True, it was wrong of me to just leaver her there, but what was I to do? Sojo would have killed me if I hadn’t found a way to pay back my debt on time!

Overcome by her tears and wails, I tried to comfort her with a remorseful embrace, but she shoved me away violently, breaking a newly-manicured nail. She winced and cradled her hand to examine it. Foreboding blood dripped and flowed from her finger, only making me feel worse. Susan had told me about how she saw her pay thirty dollars for that manicure just for this date.

“I’m so sorry, I-“ I began, unsure of what I was going to say.

“You what? You were out with “The Guys” at the Big Casino? Or you were out at Foxy’s? Yeah, I’m sure you picked up a few phone numbers there! Too bad the poor girls don’t know what a slime ball you are!” she spat out every word, as if each were a silver bullet shot at me, and that was just how it felt. I wanted to tell her everything, about the bet and about Sojo, but I couldn’t.

“No, I wasn’t, I was, I was… I was, umm…” I stammered.

“Yeah, that’s what I though,” she said, emphasizing every word. She gave me one last look that seemed to say, “I want to kill you” and “how could you do this to me?” all in one, before spinning around, her brown, shiny curls falling out of her updo. Walking away, almost jogging, her black heels clattering on the sidewalk. As she walked, I saw her swipe away her tears with her red hand, sending flecks of blood, fogged tears through the crisp night air. A crowd of people had gathered and were looking at me like they wanted to kill me too. “What are you looking at,” I muttered as I elbowed my way through the people who would not clear a path for me. I proceeded to look for my car in the crowded parking lot.

“I’m sure I parked my car by the entrance!” I stared at the empty space. And in my panic, I reached into my coat pocket. Groaning, I realized I had left the my keys in the car. “Dammit,” I screamed, kicking the curb, causing my black, leather shoes to scuff. I tried hailing a taxi, but, having no success, I decided to walk home. It wasn’t worth my money and I needed the exercise anyway. The night sky was polluted and bright with city lights. The wind’s icy hands found their was into my jacket and tried to drain me of my heat. I drew my coat tighter.

“Ho, ho, ho! Come, help the poor!” the man’s bell shined in the neon lights and rang out clear.

“Sir, would you like to, more like, would you car to, help the poor, suffering children?” his false beard clung to his red suit as he spoke rattling his chubby double chin.

“Donate some yourself, piggy,” and I kept walking. “Mr. Santa” just shrugged it off and continued ringing the little bell and asking the passer-bys the same question.

“As if I have any money left to give…” I though wearily as I approached the apartment complex. (It isn’t much; decent prices, maybe decent rooms, but even with that, but even with that, I won’t be able to pay my rent this month) The stairs seemed unbearable after my long hike, not to mention the ones I needed to take went to the thirteenth floor! I walked toward the blue doors of the elevator and pressed the orange button. I waited ten seconds, and then pressed it again. And then and again and again…

“Piece o’ shit…” I muttered as I lazily kicked the door and made my way toward the concrete steps.

My feet felt like I had shoes of concrete on as I dragged myself up. When I finally reached my house, I lifted the door matt and found my spare key. I swung the door open and make my way to the refrigerator, not even bothering to turn the light switch on. The light from the fridge illuminated the whole apartment room, a coffee table, a T.V., and many objects strewn about the room. I grabbed three Cooler’s Light beers and threw myself onto the la-z-boy couch. I popped open the lid of one and lovingly set the others next to me. I sat up, searching behind me for the remote. To make my search easier, I reached over and pulled the chain on the lamp. As I pulled, I saw the remote on the floor and swooped it up. Sitting back on the couch, I turned the T.V. on.

“Soaps, too dramatic, Spanish game show, I don’t speak Spanish, Baywatch…nah,” slurp from drink… “Ahh…gardening show, American Funniest Home Videos, Wrestling, yeah! Too bad it’s fake, ‘else I’d join ‘em” I muttered in between slurps.

“Aaaaaaaaaaand…Sojo flips Demon killer out of the ring! Oh, he’s ganna have to try better than that! Here comes Demon Killer with a chain! Yes, a heavy metal chain! Aaaand he swings! Oooh! That’s gotta hurt! Sojo caught the chain and wrapped it around Demon Killer’s neck! Oh no…He’s turning pink, no red, no blue! He’s purple! Uhh…” and here the announcer quieted to a whisper, “Joe! Joe! Emergency procedure #423! Quick!” and with that there was a long beep that rang in my ears long after the ring itself had stopped. The screen turned blue, and words in black saying, “We are sorry, World Wrestling is having technical difficulties. We will return to the program in a few moment. Thank you.’

“Well, I guess it isn’t quite so fake as I thought…”

A.N.: There's no title yet, as she hasn't come up with one yet, so I'll give it one when she does.