I took a deep breath and gathered my composure a little. I was about to act my heart out and I was extremely nervous.
“Why don’t you slap me across the face—you know, for good effect?”
I don’t know why, but I found this hilarious. “Luana, I could never slap you.”
“Oh, come on. It would be fun.”
“You are kidding me, right?” She shook her head. “Oh, boy.” I started pacing the floor, wondering how the hell I was going to pull this off.
“This is going to be fun.”
Looking over at Luana, I didn’t know how she could be so calm. I was as nervous as hell, and I was the one who came up with this crazy idea in the first place.
“You’re supposed to be crying. Remember?”
She nodded. “Oh, yes. Of course. Give me a minute.” Luana walked out of the room, leaving me in silence. I took some deep breaths and waited for the inevitable monster about to barge through those doors at any minute.
Just when Luana returned, tears running down her cheeks, we heard a rev of an engine outside.
“That must be him.”
Letting out a deep breath, I glanced at her. “Okay. Are you ready?”
She smiled through her tears and it made me wonder how she could have faked them so well.
Inhaling a deep breath, I started shouting. I had to give Michael something once he opened that door. “You can’t just come in here and take over, Luana!” Pacing the floor, I saw her giving the thumbs up as she sobbed. It kind of made me feel like a bit of a bitch. Oh well. I’m in too deep now. “How dare you waltz in here and act like you belong!”
I could hear the slam of a door and Michael’s footsteps approaching. It made my heart pick up even more.
“What the hell is going on in here?” Michael boomed.
I saw him look at me with anger, then back at Luana with shock. He saw her tears, and couldn’t help but look at her attire.
Bingo!
Walking over to Luana, he grabbed her arm to see if she was okay. Through her tears, she timidly looked up at him and nodded. God, she was good.
Then the attention was back on me. “What has gotten into you, Cassie? You’re making her cry.”
“She’s a bitch!” I seethed.
I heard the collective gasps as a little sob escaped Luana’s lips. It just made Michael’s blood boil. “I think you should leave before you say something you regret. I don’t know what your problem is, Cassie, but it doesn’t give you the right to shout at Luana like this.”
“That’s it. Take her side, Michael. I thought you were on mine.”
Michael shook his head in exasperation. “I am on your side and, believe it or not, so is Luana. She’s your friend.”
I knew he would never elaborate. “Yeah…well, that ship has sailed.”
Michael turned to Luana and protectively put his arm around her. “How can you be so callous, Cassie? You’re not normally like this.”
Looking at his arm around her, I saw it as an opportunity. “I see. Is that what it’s like, Michael? You’re going to choose her over me?”
I saw Michael’s chest expand as he took in a breath. “It’s not about choosing, Cassie. It’s about being fair. You’re not being fair to Luana. She’s done nothing to make you behave like this. If it’s petty jealously, it’s not welcome here.”
I started laughing. I was on a roll. “Oh, Michael. Don’t you think you’re fooling yourself here? You’ve always wanted me. All I would have to do is snap my fingers and you’d come running. You know it, and so does that pathetic excuse for an angel right there.”
Michael thumped his fist on the wall, making Luana and I jump. “That’s enough!”
I could see it now. The fire in his eyes. The disappointment in me. It almost made me falter, but I knew I couldn’t back down now—no matter how painful my chest was.
“I’m not going to talk to you when you’re like this, Cassie. I want you to leave. I will speak to you once you’ve had a chance to calm down.”
I threw my hand in the air. “You’re throwing me out?”
He nodded. “I think we’ve established that.”
“You’re throwing me out and she gets to stay? How could you, Michael?”
Letting go of Luana, Michael stomped over to me. “How could I? How could I? Cassie, I’ve done nothing but be there for you, and—”
“And what?!” I shouted, interrupting him. “And you want me to thank you? Throw all of it in my face so I have to be grateful? Bow down to the holy Michael, giving thanks because of everything you’ve done? Is that why you did it? Just so you could get praise and feel good about yourself?”