Q3. Winter

 Eileena's penthouse was magnificent. It even had a board game collection she barely touched—dressing for the house—which sent Melly into an excited frenzy the first time she saw it. Despite Melly's urgings, that night, no one was ready to sober up and learn one of the games. A movie would have to suffice, and so while Eileena took a smoke on the porch, everyone else got situated on the couch.

Cybel had gotten more comfortable about laying on Winona's shoulder recently, and now as they waited, finger slipped in-betwixt eachother's fingers as their hands shared an idle dance. They were both giggling about an absurd story of a ball, this fellow Martell, and the blatant seductions and deceit he was none the wiser to. Soap opera tales like these, full of drama and intrigue, were excellent distractions from life's mundane tragedies, those often grieved without any satisfying resolution.

Eileena strode back in, but paused before she took her seat, gazing intently at the embrace. She collected her wine glass and cleared her throat.

"Winona."

Winona turned. "What's up, boss lady?" If she worried about anything Eileena might say, she intended to play it off coolly.

Eileena began, "It's been years now of working together, hasn't it? I appreciate your dedication, and your trust, and your 'loyalty'. I think you deserve a reward." She turned to Cybel, "Make sure she leaves here satisfied, don't disappoint me."

"Huh?" Winona wheezed.

"Take whichever bedroom you like, and let off some stress," Eileena clarified, as if she had simply been misheard.

"You're fucking kidding, seriously?" Winona asked.

Cybel whispered, "You don't have to worry about being gentle with me—if it's because I'm her woman, or anything. Don't worry, I can take it."

Finally, as the gears began to turn in Winona's head, she exclaimed, "Oh my fucking god, thank you!" Elegance was absent in her words, but desperate passion laced every heavy breath. Her hands found purchase in Cybel's hair as she drew her in needily for a kiss she had long held back.

Melly interjected, at a loss, "What should I do?"

Cybel shrugged, gestured at the TV and then herself, and offered a stupified, "Watch one?" between gasps. Winona was already dragging Cybel out of the room, showering Eileena in ever-distant grateful praise all the way.

Melly felt a part of herself leave with them—the part that was content to try living these cheerful nights for their own sake, and forget about her once hopes for the future. Her mind hung on the thought that if she hadn't screwed up then, she wouldn't feel so lonely sitting next to Eileena now.

"They really needed that," Eileena sighed. "And I need this movie."

Melly made the occasional 'ooo' and 'aah' as the screen flickered between different spectral, colorful vistas until by the end all the light began to blend together as if she were watching from underwater. As the credits rolled, she wiped at her eyes, drawing away a river of tears she hadn't realized were pouring down her cheeks.

With clearer eyes, she noticed Eileena was staring at her.

Melly preempted Eileena's judgement and began explaining herself, "I'm sorry. I just hoped all of us could've spent this night together. I was excited about just that."

Eileena asked, "Well, I happen to still be here. Why don't we talk about the movie together?"

Melly was biting her lip, ready to explode. Did Eileena have no sympathy for her? She still doted on Cybel, and now she bought favors from Winona, but she no longer spared a shoulder for Melly. And even if they did talk about the movie, what then? There would be no deeper conversations. Had Eileena ever given them the chance to learn about eachother? Before this winter, she had tried hard to be good, and had Eileena ever relaxed to her, relied on her? No, instead, she had Cybel tell Melly to stop seeking her validation and get back to work.

As if on cue, Cybel and Winona stepped back out, and Eileena greeted them with a yawn. Tired themselves, it seemed everyone was ready to head home for the night. Slumped over the couch wing, Eileena groggily asked one final question, "Winona, would you happen to be free for the holidays?"

"Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me! Eileena will be unfortunately tied down by business obligations, but I wanted to take one big trip while I still have breaks. I've been thinking about the ghostlights. It'd be so nice to rent a cabin where you could watch the flickering right off the dock. Would you want to join me, Winona?" Cybel's smile was so light and unguarded, absent of any caution even as Melly sat right there, even as she exposed herself as having brazenly lied through her teeth.

They were walking toward the elevators now. "We need to talk, Cybel, now. I'm serious," Melly rasped. Her nails were digging into Cybel's shoulder.

Winona stopped in her place. Every word of hers that followed was so careful and considered. "Melly, this isn't a good time. Sleep on it or you could talk to me first, but you probably don't want to—"

"Stay out of this!" Melly snapped back. Steel doors slid shut, leaving Winona behind. Melly turned—she didn't know what she'd expect to find, but it wasn't what Cybel showed her now. The girl's face hung heavy with disappointment.

"I thought you were better than this," Cybel said.

"You what?" Melly shouted. "You could have told me the truth anytime before I hear you want to drag Winona out instead of me, but I guess you don't think I can handle it. You said you didn't want to feel like my mom, but you treat me like a fucking child!"

Cybel looked surprised. "Your cheeks were tear-stained when we stumbled back, but I guess we're doing this instead. Did you not want me to let you down nicely?"

"You lied to my fucking face for months. Are you kidding me? Months!" Melly screamed.

"What? You put me on the spot, during a hard time!" Cybel shook her head. "Why do you treat this like an open ticket too? You act like my priorities couldn't change over those months, unless I held a spot for you."

The elevator chimed, marking their arrival at ground floor.

"I put my faith in you." Melly's voice bled with desperation. "There was a time when I imagined myself by Eileena's side, by your side."

"Melly, you really don't understand a thing about us."

With that, Cybel vanished into the cold night.