there's no way

Jane, without a doubt. I’d love to say I don’t pick favorites, but Jane’s been with me since we were younger and I couldn’t imagine my life without her.

Anna may get on my nerves here and there, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like her. She’s too young for the shit she’s gone through.

I will never not support my fellow Queens. We’re here to support women through thick or thin.

“Can’t say I blame you for not trusting me,” he mused, taking the shot he offered her and drinking it himself. “I lost count as to how many shots I’ve had, but this might have been number seven cause I’m starting to feel it.”

Catalina tilted her head, pleasantly surprised at how well he handled that. Kudos to him. “No offense, I just don’t trust most men.” And for good reason, though she had no intention of telling him her sob story. “Is that your intention? To feel it?” Depending on the person, seven shots could be the difference between being slightly buzzed and waking up face first in some random park. 

“That might be an insult to Monet” she replied, certain that by now he was far enough away not to hear her. “You never know, some people will do anything if they are desperate enough” she knew she had back in her wilder days, before she met Tommy… ok, no. Not the time to think on that. “Only after I have downed this drink”. 

Catalina laughed, bobbing her head. “You’re absolutely right, I’m glad you said it.” She had turned her full attention to Cathy at that point, the guy no more important than the dirt on her soles. She found herself sighing, once more agreeing with the other. “I remember those days. Hopefully the poor girl, whoever she may be, realizes a lot sooner than I ever did that men aren’t shit.” She took another sip of her own drink, grinning. “You gonna chug? Or make me wait?” Either would be fine, but she wouldn’t be Catalina if she wasn’t giving her friends a hard time.

          as catalina relaxed into her touch, jane nodded her head in agreement “Some do, some are fine and nice, but haven’t met many of those.” jane admitted in response. it was true though, most of the men the duo had met were complete and utter arseholes and definitely do not deserve any of their time. “you’re definitely correct though my love, I feel you on that.” the blonde remarked. the duo stood there, arms wrapped around the other as they stared at the party “this party is definitely getting busy isn’t it?”.

“I’m convinced those type of men don’t exist anymore,” Catalina replied, a surprising serious tone despite the atmosphere of the party. She was tired, though. Tired of being used, but also tired of being jaded over it. It was a fine line she wasn’t sure how to cross yet. She sighed, leaning into Jane’s touch. At least she had her girls who understood her more than anybody else. “Sometimes I miss being this carefree and stupid,” she admitted, gesturing his head out to the younger partygoers who were definitely going wild.

Okay, sort of fair, but from the way Karyn had been trailing around with every possible alcoholic substance in her hand tonight and had a model’s salary, Ivy seriously doubted she even cared, “She’s not your kid, come on!” Ivy pulled over a bartender to take over the job, bidding them a thank you before pulling Catalina away in turn. If Ivy had been less intoxicated, she might’ve been embarrassed by how immature she seems in comparison to Catalina, but regrets could be held off until the morning after, “Let’s get a guy to buy you a drink, pick one you think is cute!”

Ivy made a strong point and though Catalina wanted to continue to protest, her friend had already got somebody else on the job. “Alright, alright. Sorry, I can’t help it.” She let Ivy pull her away, laughing. The alcohol, as little as she had, had started to settle and she could feel the buzz. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to confirm that this was a good idea. “Oh, no, I don’t think that’s really necessary, the last thing I want is some sad guy making attempts at me for the next couple of hours.” She could buy her own drink and Ivy’s as well to save them that trouble.

              TAKING THE DRINK from her friend, aliz quickly took a sip before focusing her attention back on catalina. “ he’s not that hard on the eyes though… “, the woman replied, grinning as she followed lina’s gaze over to the man. however, her friend’s reply made an amused laugh fall from aliz’ lips. “ true – the amount of drunks around here is astonishing. and i own a club. “, she laughed, shaking her head as she took another sip. “ other than being irritated by drunk idiots – how are you liking the party ? having fun ? “.

“That’s how they get you, Aliz.” Catalina was no expert on men, nor did she typically pretend to be so. Her ex had been her high school sweetheart and even then the flirting (wooing) had been so long ago. Still, moments like this would pass and she’d have to impart whatever wisdom she had. “They look attractive and add some charm and suddenly you’re putty in their hands.” She too a drink from her cup, before shrugging. “Honestly, it’s not that bad. The music isn’t the greatest, but I’ll live.” 

“ahh.  that’s a good call.  i wouldn’t know from experience but drunk parents are probably never good,” she said with a laugh.  “i’m meg,” she said politely before moving a little closer.  “so, what do you think possessed two amazing and mature women to come to this party?,” she asked as she chuckled and peered around the apartment.

Catalina nodded, thinking back to her own parents and their days of coming home drunk. “It’s not the best, that’s for sure.” She hadn’t thought much of it back then, but she could recall being uncomfortable regardless. “Catalina,” she offered Meg a smile, following her cue to look around the place. “That’s a great question. I take it you don’t do this often?” She didn’t want to assume, but that was the case with her.

“I’ll drink to that,” he replied, raising one of the shots on the counter and downing it. “Don’t let some asshole ruin that for you.” He assumed that was what upset her by her reaction towards him. “Want one?” he asked, holding up another shot.

“Didn’t plan on it,” Catalina replied, her eyes narrowing in on the drink. She hadn’t come here to get shit faced, but Catalina knew her own tolerance and one shot wouldn’t hurt. She hadn’t seen him prepare the one that he was offering, though. So instead of accepting the drink he was offering she pulled up a spare shot glass and poured her own drink. “Cheers,” she said, raising it up momentarily before taking the shot down.

“ Fair point. ” He laughed a bit, nodding. But even if that guy struck out, that didn’t mean Jamie couldn’t try, even though he was certain he was going to get shot down the same way. That wasn’t enough to stop him though. Holding his hand out to her, he grinned. “ I’m Jamie. ” He introduced himself.

Catalina didn’t trust men. She had seen too many people, herself included, get scorned from a man who thought he held all the power in a relationship. This guy, Jamie, didn’t seem so bad, but neither had her husband in the beginning. Wearily, she took his hand. “Catalina,” she offered, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Jamie watched the interaction, grinning as he took a swig of his drink. This was a different party than he was used to – no book readings, no pushing him to meet new people, just… Something he was used to from college. Seeing girls reject guys, and guys still try over and over again ( he being one of those guys ) and laughing it off when it still didn’t work. Sliding up next to her, he raised an eyebrow. “ Not your type, or annoying as hell? ”

Catalina watched as the other walked off, dejected, prepared to shoot the next guy off when he moved in a little too close. He wasn’t yet in her personal space, but she decided if she could hear him over the music, he was too close. “I don’t see why it can’t be both,” She replied, taking a sip from her drink immediately after. Something about this man seemed to be familiar, though she couldn’t quite place where she’d seen him from and really, she wasn’t sure she really cared.

Cathy laughed, not really all surprised by that reaction from Catalina, especially having seen the man. “I mean… he had all his features… think that’s all the positives I’ve got there” she replied with a smile. “Don’t worry, he’s onto his next unsuspecting subject, so we can make a getaway before he decides to come back”.

“Ugh, hardly. Definitely a monet, if I ever saw one.” She was being kind, considering she didn’t even really think he was all that attractive from a distance. “I’d place money on him leaving tonight sad and alone, if that’s the best he’s got,” but she also worried some other, younger girl would fall for his tricks. “I am all for the getaway. You up for dancing?”

              ALIZ HAD CAUGHT sight of her friend, walking towards her with two drinks in hand. but apparently, she wasn’t alone. unable to find a grin, the brunette watched how her friend was clearly annoyed by the guy who didn’t seem to understand ‘ no ‘. aliz understood the appeal, lina was a beautiful woman. but, when were men going to learn that not everyone was interested in their cheesy pick up lines ? “ new friend ? “, aliz asked, chuckling as lina joined her again.

Catalina groaned, immediately holding out the second drink for Aliz. Her friend loved a good party and really, a good party was never complete without a drink in hand. “He wishes.” She rolled her eyes, sparing one last glance at the guy before turning back to Aliz with a fresh smile. She wouldn’t let a man ruin her night, not tonight. “I don’t know if you’ve been people watching like I have, but I think I’ve got my fill of ‘drunk idiots’ for the next month or two.” It was a game she liked to play often at the club, which usually involved people getting sloppy drunk and their actions proving that.

meg watched the interaction and couldn’t help but smirk, loving a fierce woman who wasn’t afraid to put down a guy.  “i applaud you,” she said with a smile, taking a sip of her own drink.  about five minutes into arriving she was sorry for coming and sorry for wearing the dress she did.  of course now, with some alcohol in her system, she was finding it to be quite amusing.  “i promise it’ll get more fun after you drink.”

There was nothing that Catalina loved more than women supporting other women. It was what drew her to her small group of friends more than anything. They had all been through something and in the end they were stronger together. She found herself grinning, turning to face the other woman, giving the two cups a little jiggle (though not enough to spill it’s contents.) “That’s the plan. Though I can’t get too drunk. I have a daughter to get home to and really, the last thing she needs to see is her mom getting sloppy.”