Sighing, she stepped into the shower and stood under the hot water for several minutes, letting it cascade down her back. As she rinsed the suds off her body, she felt as though she were washing away the ugliness. Still, she knew as soon as she got out that underneath the steam on the mirror, she would be the same Beth she had seen before. Oh, well. Until the steam cleared away, she would be fine with just pretending she looked as pretty as Christina. It was nice to wish for.
After a long time, she finally stepped out and towel dried her chocolate hair. Then she wiped the steam off the mirror hopefully. Even though she felt better, there was nothing different physically. She just looked a little less tired. Again, she felt like crying, but realized that would make the dark circles look more red and make her eyes a lot more puffy. Then she would just look a lot worse. She pulled on a pair of khaki shorts and a tight gray tank top before brushing her hair out and going downstairs.
Nick had left to play basketball with Brian, and Christina was sitting at the kitchen table eating a bowl of Cheerios and reading a new fashion magazine. She didn’t even look up to acknowledge the fact that Beth had come into the room. What a surprise.
“Can I have some Cheerios?” Beth asked timidly. Ugh, why did Christina intimidate her like that?
Christina shrugged and still didn’t look up from the page she was reading. “It’s your house, too, I guess.”
She quickly had a bowl of cereal and then went upstairs, unable to sit in the same room with Christina without feeling physically sick. When she reached her room, she collapsed on her bed in tears. “What’s wrong with me?” she whispered. She wasn’t outwardly emotional. Why was Christina having this effect on her? Why did Nick still have this effect on her, even after five years? It had to be PMS or something. She picked up the phone and called Shauna.
“Hello?” It was Rich.
“Hey, Rich. It’s Beth. Is Shauna there?”
“Yeah, sweetie. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just moody or something.”
“Hang on, I’ll get Shauna.”
In a few seconds, her best friend picked up. “Hey, babe. Is everything all right?”
“Not really, but you know, I’m surviving.”
“Don’t like his fiancée?”
“Not at all. She cussed me out and threatened me yesterday, Shauna! She hates me! And I didn’t even do anything! And she’s absolutely gorgeous!” Beth exclaimed. Suddenly she realized that Christina was still downstairs, and she lowered her voice. “I hate it here.”
“Are you gonna come home?”
“No, I’m not gonna give her the satisfaction.”
“That’s good. Listen, I gotta go, I have to be at work in five minutes. I’m gonna be late.”
“Okay. Talk to you later,” Beth said glumly.
“Bye. Cheer up. Oh, and she can’t be as pretty as you!” Shauna exclaimed. She hung up before Beth had a chance to reply.