chapter 2

Amy was dressed for the office in a white shirt and black high waisted pencil skirt, a pair of red suspenders holding her skirt up being her one concession to colour. She had just left a meeting with her boss Vincent Black to discuss taking some time out of work and now she was meeting her best friend Chloe for brunch.

She scanned the menu of the Duck and Waffle with a critical eye. Why did everything have to be fried and smothered in syrup? It was like being home in America already. She ordered her coffee black and waited.

Chloe arrived predictably late, the sun kissing her honey coloured skin and making her rich dark brown hair shine. She wore a bright yellow wrap around dress that accentuated the generous curves of her body and a ridiculous number of gold and beaded bangles jangled on her arm as she pulled Amy into her warm and heavily perfumed embrace.

Thrown together as roommates at Central Saint Martins, Chloe and Amy had made an odd pairing at first: the daughter of a wealthy Middle Eastern investment banker who had been pampered for the entirety of her privileged life and an average American girl who had barely been out of her own state before and could only afford to attend such a prestigious college on a scholarship. However, the two hit it off straight away, bonding over their love of Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney. The two had remained close as they both struggled to establish their careers in the fickle world of fashion.

Chloe scanned the menu with wide eyed enthusiasm. "Oh yum. Everything looks so good."

"Can I take your order, ladies?" The waitress asked.

Chloe appeared to deliberate for a moment longer. "I think I'll have the Full Elvis waffles. That sounds pretty mind blowing."

"I'll have smoked salmon with a poached egg and a side of avocado."

"That's not on the menu, miss..."

"Ask the chef," Amy said firmly, handing the girl back the menu with a patronising smile.

"OK, what's up?"

"What?"

"Yo u're always extra bitchy when something is upsetting you."

"Shut up!" Amy said. "OK... I'm going home for a... I don't really know how long. A few months maybe."

Chloe's eyebrows raised "What happened to, and I quote: "I would rather gouge out my own eyes than go back to that backwater hellhole.'?"

Amy smiled sheepishly, "Well, I'm not sure I phrased it exactly like that. Anyway, I haven't got much choice; my mom is sick."

"Shit, Amy. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm telling you now," she said. "Besides, I didn't even know about it until last night."

"So what did Vincent say about it? Have you told him yet?"
"Not much, but he was supportive."
Chloe eyed her skeptically.
"OK, fine. He didn't give a shit, just said I could go if I had to. I wouldn't be surprised if that airhead intern he's ***ing is sitting at my desk by the time I get back."
"What was her name again? Crystal?"
"Krystal with a K."
Chloe made a face of disgust and both girls laughed.
"I'm not really worried," she said with a grim smile. "I happen to think he'll miss me and the invaluable contribution I make to his business."
"Which is?"
"I'm the only girl in that whole building who doesn't want to jump his bones. I like to think I keep him grounded."

"Seriously though," Chloe reached over and squeezed her hand. "I know you had it pretty rough in high school. Do you think you'll be OK going back there?"

"What am I, Drew Barrymore? This isn't Never Been Kissed. It's not like I'm going back to high school." Amy shrugged. "Besides, it's been 10 years since I moved away, those bitches probably don't live there anymore."

"Come on, Amy," Chloe coaxed. "You don't have to act tough with me. I know you. Remember? Real talk time: will you be OK?"

Amy sighed and pushed her virtually untouched plate of food away.

"I'm not the same girl you met in college. I'm not that weak girl anymore."