Chapter 3: "Aftermath"

Kiandra (Kia)

Kina had just gotten out of the shower, and we were getting ready for work. The phone rang, and I picked up the receiver. "Hey Kina... It's me, Jamal. I wanted to know if you're free tonight, maybe we could watch a movie or have dinner at my house." I rolled my eyes. This guy didn't even ask how I was doing.

"Hold on..." I said, pausing for a moment. "Man, I got a hangover. I don't have time for this." Jamal continued to talk, asking me a thousand questions. I cut him off, "I'm sorry, this is not Kina. She's in the shower. I'll tell her to call you." I placed the receiver back and walked over to the bed.

We had been drinking all night, and I was still feeling the effects. I hated it when Kina went out and everything went wrong. She came back home drunk, and now I was paying the price.

"Kinavieve, why though?" I asked, annoyed. She just shrugged and said, "I'm sorry, guys. I think coffee can help." But I knew it wouldn't. We were already late for work.

I walked over to the mirror and was terrified by the horror I saw. My eyes were swollen and red; I couldn't show up at work like this. I decided not to go and dialed Mr. Joneses' number.

"Kim, where are you?" he asked, picking up the phone. I realized I was using Kim's phone and quickly covered. "I'm sorry, I can't come to work today. I have a terrible headache and my eyes!" I exclaimed in pain.

Mr. Joneses questioned me, "Kim, have you been drinking?" I respectfully answered, pretending to be Kim, "No... You know I don't drink, sir." He agreed to let me take the day off, and I thanked him.

After a long nap, I finally woke up, feeling a bit better. I took a steamy shower, dressed decently, and headed to my favorite cafe near the apartment. Sally, the waitress, greeted me with a smile. "Kiandra, how are you today?"

"I'm fabulous, as always," I replied, winking at her. "And I need my usual, stat!"

As Sally went to collect my order, a familiar face approached me. It was Jamal, Kina's guy. I remembered him now. He looked confused, thinking I was Kina.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here," I said, sipping my apple-grape juice. "If it isn't Jamal. What brings you to this neck of the woods?"

Jamal looked taken aback by my sass, but I just smiled sweetly. "I was looking for Kina," he said. "I thought you were her."

"Oh, honey, I'm so much better than Kina," I said, laughing. "But don't worry, I won't tell her you mistook me for her. Your secret is safe with me."

Jamal looked relieved, and we chatted for a bit. I couldn't help but flirt with him, just for fun. But then, I saw Kina walking towards us, looking like a hot mess.

"Speak of the devil," I said, grinning. "Here comes Kina now." 

Kina looked at me, then at Jamal, and her face lit up. "Jamal! What are you doing here?"

"I was just looking for you," he said, smiling at her. "But I found Kiandra instead."

Kina looked at me, annoyed. "Kiandra, what did you do?"

I just shrugged. "I didn't do anything, darling. I was just being my fabulous self."

Kina rolled her eyes and turned back to Jamal. "Let's go, I need to talk to you."

As they walked away, I couldn't help but smile. I loved causing drama, and this was just the beginning.