Ophelias Bodyguard by Amie Daniela

“I'm sorry Chelsea; I need to get away from Bay's Beach. With everything that's happened; I can't be here anymore. Besides; I want to do something with my life and get use of the administration diploma, I studied for” Amanda says to her best friend since primary school. “I'm going to Peninsula tomorrow and there's nothing more you can say to me about it.”

Chelsea, Veronica and Amanda were inseparable growing up in the small beachside community. Pity a man put a wedge between the trio.

Peter; Amanda's fiancé left her for Veronica. “He was so gutless only sending you a text message. The least he could have done is face you” Chelsea voices her opinion for the millionth time.

She was heartbroken and pissed at how he broke it off. Yes; they didn't set a date for the wedding; but that was his fault, not hers. She had a suspicion he wasn't being faithful; long before the text message and Chelsea reminds her of this. “I did tell you, I thought Vonny and him were spending too much time together. They are both cowards.”

“I know Chels. I am also aware of the whispers behind my back. Poor Mandy; having Peter dump her like that. And, can you believe Veronica; throwing away a friendship that's lasted almost two decades and they are the good whispers” Amanda spits back at her.

“That’s why you need to come to Dean's Bar. Besides; I don't want to go alone” Chelsea says pouting in her direction.

“What about Jamie? Doesn't he want to go?” Amanda asks Chelsea. Jamie is Chelsea's on again; off again boyfriend. At the moment, they are on again.

“Nah; he's out of town; some photography portfolio he has to do. I just want to go out and have a few drinks” Chelsea replies, her brown eyes, giving Amanda a sad puppy dog look.

“Ok, ok. I'll go; but only for a few drinks. I have to leave early tomorrow for the train station” Amanda answers; Chelsea's mousy brown hair bouncing around her shoulders as Amanda caves in.

“I have the perfect dress you can borrow. It will set off your blue eyes” Chelsea tells her; giving her a perfect smile and heading to the closet.

“I don't know; it looks expensive” Amanda says shaking her auburn hair from side to side; her last-ditch excuse not working as Chelsea places the blue cocktail dress up to show her.

“This old thing? Nah. Jamie bought it for me and you know how much of a cheapskate he is. You can have it. It suits you more than it suits me” Chelsea responds; giving Amanda the dress before she heads into the bathroom to get changed.

“I don't know; it's a bit short” Amanda calls out from the bathroom; still trying to forego the decision to go to the bar. “That's the point” Chelsea yells back and Amanda walks out of the bathroom; pulling the back of the dress down as low as it will allow her to.

“It's perfect” Chelsea smiles as she changes into an emerald green off the shoulder piece.

By the time they finished getting dressed; the butterflies were starting to settle in Amanda's stomach. She hasn't been out since Peter sent her the text message. Bay's Beach is a small town and everyone knows what happened. She loved living there but she was over the whispers regarding how things ended and the rumours spread around by Peter and Veronica.

“You'll be fine” Chelsea says, giving her a side hug and they both head out the front door to the waiting Uber; quite frankly it's the only Uber in town.

“Mandy; nice to see you out and about” Dean calls out from behind the bar.

“This is her going away celebration; keep the drinks coming, Dean” Chelsea says as Dean brings over Amanda's Bacardi Spritzer and Chelsea's Flaming Cowboy.

“Who's that?” Amanda asks, seeing; a gorgeous man come in through the front door with his group. He's brown shoulder length hair is brushed back and his chocolate brown eyes survey the room.

“I don't know. I think he was with the high-end wedding that came up for the weekend” Chelsea informs her and Amanda's heart sinks.

The one guy she does notice; is off limits. No rich man will look at a girl like her. “Here's to seeing someone off limits. Story of my life” Amanda giggles, tilting her Bacardi spritzer towards Chelsea before taking a sip.

“Asshole alert; 10 o'clock” Chelsea whispers and Amanda glances to the doorway. ‘No; this isn't happening to me. How dare he come in here. I can't believe he bought her with him’ Amanda yells to herself, trying to move herself further into the booth and sinking down to hide herself.

“Mandy; are you ok? Oh shit!” Chelsea screams and Amanda looks up, just in time to see Peter and Veronica stop in front of their booth.

“What the fuck do you want?” Amanda snarls at the pair.

“Aren't you going to offer us a seat?” Peter questions, smirking a pompous grin at her. “I don't have to do shit; Peter. Do you think you can come here and it's all hunky dory? You broke off our engagement with me; through a text message, mind you. And you think you have the right to come here and talk to me. Fuck off” Amanda screams at the pair.

“Calm down! There's no need to be like that, Mand…” “Be like what; exactly. You called yourself my best friend and you stand here telling me to calm down? You are something, you know that?” Amanda continues yelling; cutting off Veronica.

“Is everything ok, Sweet Pea?” A husky voice says to Amanda as she feels his arms come around her waist and she melts a little into the Greek god and he pecks her on the cheek.

“Not really; these people are annoying me” Amanda spits back at her ex-fiancé and ex-best friend and relief comes on his face, she is playing along with him.