With that she picked up the bottle and threw it at the back wall, watching the glass shatter. She stood from the table and made her way through the crowd. There seemed to be a sea of people between her and the door. Just then the song blaring over the speakers changed to a slower beat and the mass of people paired off giving Shane a better path to walk through. When she got out into the warm LA evening she began searching the street crowd for Carmen. *****. Why was she so small?

She caught sight of a little white hat bobbing at the edge of the crowd. Carmen, she shouted over the noise. The hat quit bobbing. Shane made her way over to her.

Hi, she said after an awkward pause when the Latina turned to see who had called out to her.

Hey, Carmen replied. Shane sighed and began wiping the tears off the beautiful face in front of her.

Youre too good for me, Shane said and balked when Carmen gave out a hearty laugh.

Thats is by far the worst excuse Ive ever heard, she paused while she finished laughing. Ever.

But its true, Shane replied with complete honesty, looking down at the other girl.

What would make you say that Shane, Carmen asked the laughter still in her big brown eyes.

Carmen, there are a lot of things in my past that Im not proud of. Cherie is only the tip of the iceberg. I dont want you to have to know about the bad things, Shane said wanting Carmen to understand the full extent of what she was getting into.

I already have a mother to protect me Shane, and even she cant keep the bad things out, Carmen said wanting Shane to understand the extent of her inner strength. Thats one thing I had to accept about life. There is bad ***** that happens, terrible, terrible things that happen to people. There are ways that people have to survive that they may not be proud of but if they can forgive themselves, thats what really matters. I dont need saving from anything, I can make it on my own.

In that moment Shane felt like she was standing in front of a warrior. Someone who didnt need other people, instead someone who genuinely liked other people. Someone who genuinely liked her. *****. That feeling was replaced by the knot in her stomach tripling in size. Will she still like me if she knows? Will I still like me if she knows?