SWING MY WAY :: ORIGINAL

"it's giving party city."

Tiffany had truly reached her limit, and this was the first time in a long time she got to express her discomfort.

Eventually, her crying stopped completely, and she was strong enough to sit up and talk to Aliya about her problems. Aliya was concerned of course, moving pieces of hair out of her face and grabbing tissues so Tiffany could sort herself out.

"Thank you," Tiffany sniffed, wiping her eyes and face.

"Finals week?" she guessed.

"I wish," Tiffany scoffed, folding her tissue absentmindedly.

"Your car?"

"Part of it," a few weeks ago, Tiffany had gotten into a car accident that ended up in her totaling her car. It wasn't much of a story, but....she could have been in some serious condition. Aliya was as patient as ever, handing her more tissues if she needed them. "So...I'm supposed to be getting a new car tomorrow, which is fine, whatever, but...last week, I found out the guy who hit me died—so like—what am I—"

"Hey, don't so that," Aliya told her sternly, "he was a drunk driver—"

"I know that, but—I coulda been that bitch—"

"Don't think like that—"

"I can't help it, Aliya. It fucking hurts. I dunno. Someone still died. I'm scared as fuck to get in a car but I do that shit every day. I considered walking every fucking where but it's hot as shit and I'm tired. I'm just..." she gulped, putting a hand under chin, "I don't know."

"Well, do you have to get the car now?"

"No, but—"

"Then don't. If you don't feel comfortable being in a car right now then don't do that to yourself. I'd be glad to take you where you gotta go. Don't you have therapy covered?" Tiffany nodded, "I think you need to use that and get any help you need before touching the road by yourself again."

"Yeah, but—"

"Hey," Aliya touched her arm, making her give eye contact, "finals are almost over, we have a few more months until this lease is up and until you move very far away from me."

"Like an hour away, stupid," Tiffany snorted.

"Far as fuck," Aliya smiled, "we're going to get you physical and mental therapy as soon as possible, because you've only visited the doctor once. Don't think I don't know."

"But—"

"Yeah, fool," she joked, "what else is bothering you?"

"Well..." Tiffany felt like crying all over again, "I think Manny's gonna break up with me."

There was a really long pause until Aliya spoke up again. "Girl, huh?"

"I don't know, it sounds weird right?"

"What even happened?"

"Since that party, he's just been angry. Not towards me but in general, and....I don't know. We sleep in the same bed and everything but he literally doesn't say anything."

"Well..." Aliya bit her lip in thought, "I mean...wasn't he friends with that guy for a long long time? Maybe he's a little upset at that. But I don't see why he's being so cold towards you."

"They were best friends. He was the best friend. I don't like feeling bad for what's done to me but..."

"Maybe that's something you actually need to say out loud to him. I doubt Manny means to ignore you. Does he think it's your fault?"