New Friend
**Sarah**
I had scheduled a manicure on Friday morning, and as soon as I arrived at the salon where I had been a client for many years, I looked for the young woman who used to attend to me and with whom I always chatted. Madison was my age, had been working as a manicurist at that salon since she turned eighteen, and we got along very well.
When I noticed she was still attending to another client, I decided to wait because I didn't like anyone else to do my nails besides Madison.
"I've told you before, Madison, I only like to have you do my manicures," I said to her when she started working on me.
I noticed she smiled at the subtle compliment, even though she never took her eyes off her work.
"I'm glad to have such a loyal customer for my services, like you," she replied, still focused on her task. "And it's good that you came in this morning because I'll be off in the afternoon."
"Any special reason?" I asked, curious.
My life felt monotonous and devoid of excitement, to the point that even my manicurist's life seemed more interesting at that moment. Kael's question about not having friends also affected me, leaving me feeling a mix of sadness and anger, as it had been four days since our last contact.
This sadness was magnified when I remembered that despite having total freedom and my father's money to fulfill my desires, I had never truly been interested in anyone. Rachel, like me, shared the same condition of virginity, but she engaged with people and had fun in other ways. She had always made it clear that she would use her virginity as a bargaining chip, only having sex if it was advantageous.
Ironically, Rachel lost her virginity to a stranger, with no benefit other than a hangover, and she didn't even remember how it happened. Meanwhile, I, who had hoped to find a good man and fall truly in love, ended up selling my virginity to an arrogant man. Now, I found myself in love with him, and I could no longer deceive myself about my feelings.
The situation left me frustrated and confused. Why did I let myself be swayed by that choice? Why did I fall in love with someone so distant and indifferent? I knew I needed to confront my feelings head-on, but I didn't know how to deal with it all. I felt lost amidst conflicting emotions, realizing that I had gotten involved in a dangerous game from which I didn't know how to escape.
"Did you hear anything I said, Sarah?" Madison asked, looking at me with an amused smile.
Only then did I realize that I had been lost in my thoughts, and Madison had answered the question I had asked, but I hadn't paid attention to anything she said.
"I'm so sorry, Madison!" I spoke, embarrassed, very embarrassed. "A memory distracted me. I apologize!"
"It's okay, I understand," she replied, returning her attention to what she was doing. "I imagine my life must be quite dull compared to your glamorous life."
I couldn't help but laugh at Madison's words, as she used a light and funny tone that made me feel more relaxed as well. Soon, the women around us were looking at us, and I lowered my head in embarrassment for drawing the attention of all those people.
I never felt comfortable when everyone was looking at me, and that was always the reason why I tried my best to go unnoticed everywhere I went.
"You couldn't be more wrong, Madison," I responded, noticing that everyone seemed to be paying attention to something else now.
This time, it was Madison who became embarrassed, and I understood that she probably found out that my father had not left an inheritance for his daughters. After all, news travels fast, even in a big city like Seattle.
"I'm sorry for saying that, Sarah. You seem even sadder than before," she said.
I smiled awkwardly because she was right. I felt even sadder now, remembering my father, not because of the financial aspect, but rather the loss of someone so important.
He had become everything my sister and I had in our lives after our mother passed away, and now we had no one, not even each other, like before.
"I know what I'm about to say may sound silly, and I don't expect you to accept it, but I'll still try," she said, looking at me with an expectant smile.
"Go ahead, Madison," I encouraged her. "As I said when I first arrived, I like you, and we always have such great conversations when I come here."
"As I know you didn't hear what I said earlier..." she looked at me playfully, "...I'll repeat it. Today is my birthday, and I'm going to celebrate with some friends, which is why Emma gave me the day off."
"Happy birthday, Madison!" I tried to take my hand back from her grip for the manicure, but she held it firmly, continuing her task and just smiling in thanks.
"Thank you, Sarah," she thanked me without looking at me. "As I was trying to say, I was wondering if you'd like to join us. It's going to be a lot of fun, and I'm sure you'll like my group."
I looked at Madison with indecision, not believing that I could do something like going out with a bunch of strangers I had no idea about and what they liked.
"I don't know, Madison," I confessed with a hint of regret. "I'm not used to going out, especially with people I don't know."
"That's exactly why you don't have friends, Sarah," she pointed out casually, and I immediately thought of Kael. "Why don't you allow yourself to meet people?"
"How do you know I don't have friends?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"From all our conversations, I managed to figure that out," she explained. "Rachel has always been surrounded by friends, but you were just tagging along."
Hearing my manicurist reveal this painful truth after all these years made me want to change, meet people, and break out of my shell. Despite recent events, I knew I needed to get out at any cost. Madison offered me the perfect opportunity since we had known each other for four years and always had meaningful conversations.
"You're right, Madison," I agreed. "I will go out with you and your friends!"
Madison smiled with enthusiasm but quickly returned to her task. Only then did I notice the watchful eyes of the salon owner on the two of us, and I understood why Madison always talked to me but never took her eyes off her work.
"When I finish attending to you, I'll close up the salon early today, and we can chat freely," she suggested.
Her words confirmed what I had already noticed about her boss not allowing her to get distracted while working.
When Madison finished, she went to the restricted area only for staff, grabbed her bag, and after a quick goodbye, we left the elegant salon and headed to a café across the street.
"I think you should come to my apartment to get ready," Madison suggested. "I can help you with your makeup and outfit."
"I think that's a great idea!" I readily agreed.
After finalizing the details of our night's plans with Madison, I returned to my penthouse and packed a small bag with what I needed for the night out. Then, I headed to my new friend's apartment.
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