On the Other Side

1

Laila downed the rest of the champagne in her flute.

That was glass number three.

Requesting another one, she sat back, eyes roaming the room.

The gold and white decor was spectacular, creating a very regal feel to the event. Bodies danced and moved across the floor, large grins plastered all over their faces.

She wanted to smile too.

She was supposed to be smiling, for heaven's sake, one of her oldest friends had just gotten married.

Unfortunately, Laila couldn't get into the spirit. Not when her parents were throwing jibes at her at every spare moment they got.

"When is it going to be you up there?"

"You're not getting any younger, sweetheart."

"You should start planning your wedding now! You never know!"

The mere thought of the ordeal her parents had put her through for the past hour and a half had her mentally groaning.

"Thank you very much." Laila didn't hesitate to grab the glass the waiter placed in front of her. Right before the young man left, she latched onto his arm. "Have you got anything... Stronger?"

"Ma'am I'm not sure if that's the best idea." He said hesitantly.

Right before Laila could reply, somebody else had spoken for her. "She'll have another water, she won't be needing this."

Crossing long shapely legs over each other, Laila narrowed her eyes at the woman who had just taken the champagne from her grip and placed it away from her.

"What are you doing, Naomi?"

Naomi 'Nae' Raymond grinned at Laila, her smile reaching her soft hazel eyes. "What are you doing, Laila?" She asked.

Shrugging in response, Laila looked away.

"Everybody's out on the dance floor having fun, why are you sitting here on your own drowning your sorrows? You should be happy."

"I am happy. See." Laila bared a few of her pearly whites in an action that she hoped resembled a smile.

Naomi pushed some of her box braids to the side as she sighed. "What's wrong with you, girl? Janelle has just gotten married! We should all be happy for her."

Suddenly feeling crappy about her actions, Laila let out a deep breath and nodded.

"You're right."

"So are you going to tell me what's got you drinking away the night?"

Staring at her best friend, Laila knew she couldn't keep it in for much longer.

Naomi knew her better than anybody else did. In their group of friends, she was the one that Laila had known for the longest amount of time and after so long together, she was almost her twin.

What Laila felt, Naomi felt.

"Baby, you left me alone with that crazy old- Laila!" The tall bald man with the flawless dark skin leant down to kiss Naomi's cheek before he noticed Laila. "Where have you been?"

Laila smiled at Naomi's husband, Sean. "I've been... Here and there, you know." She replied, waving her hand.

"She's been sat here the entire night and she won't come join us. She won't come and dance." Naomi filled in much to her friend's dismay.

Within moments they were joined by Anastasia, the loudest of the group, who had one of the waiters attached to her hip. The guy looked around 20 which was perfect for Anastasia and her 29 year old self who liked them young.