After Her by Amber Kay Page A

applauding. “Ladies, we’re honored to be joined by Vivian Lynch!”
    The room is abuzz with conversation amongst the other women. It’s a collective murmur of mixed emotions. Some share the instructor’s enthusiasm. Others look around, clueless about all the commotion. I am in that group and so is Sasha.
    “Excuse my ignorance,” says Sasha. “But what’s the excitement about?”
    Kelsey glares at Sasha then promptly decides to ignore her question.
    “Ms. Lynch, what brings you into the city and how long will you be staying?” Kelsey asks.
    Vivian, without hesitation, replies, “A charity event has me busy lately. I’m currently organizing a fundraiser gala in honor of the new scholarship program I’ve put together for a local university in town.”
    “Oh? Which university?”
    “Northham,” Vivian replies. My eyes widen. Sasha and I exchange glances, seeking some mutual affirmation.
    “Wow, that’s weird,” Sasha blurts. “Me and my friend are students there.”
    Vivian is expressionless; only her eyes emote what she doesn’t say aloud. I force myself to stare into those eyes, but there is no light in them. Gone. Zapped. Like the final flicker of a dimmed bulb.
    “That certainly is an outstanding coincidence,” she says in an indifferent tone, but I think otherwise. In a matter of days, this woman has injected herself into every aspect of my life. First work. Now school. Where will she show up next? Ignoring her is becoming more of a hassle than I’d like it to be.
    After everyone finishes fawning over Vivian Lynch, we begin class. Tai Chi isn’t my hobby of choice, but I agree it’s everything Sasha said it was. The half-hour session is more serene when Kelsey turns on music and all of us move along with the ambient sounds.
    Afterwards, we wrap up with warm-down stretches and end with a water break before dismissal. Sasha stretches her arms overhead with an orgasmic sigh. She looks at me, beaming from ear-to-ear.
    “God, I feel spectacular!” she says. “Don’t you?”
    I smile and this time it’s not a forced one.
    “This did do me some good,” I say. “I feel like jogging a few laps around the park. You want to come with me?”
    “Sorry,” Sasha says. “I have Chemistry in an hour. Then it’s off to music rehearsal for the rest of the afternoon. I have to kill that Paganini piece for the summer concerti and I am not letting Kerri Miles upstage me for the lead. Are you ready to head back to the apartment? I can drop you off before heading over to the campus.”
    “I can give you a ride home if you’d like,” replies a voice.
    We both turn and notice Vivian nearby, leaning against the wall as if she’s been here the entire time, eavesdropping. She doesn’t appear to have broken a sweat, not even a touch of makeup smudged.
    “Um…no thanks,” I reply as politely as possible. “I don’t want to impose and—”
    “I'm happy to do it,” Vivian interjects. “I'm free for the day. All business dealings have been cancelled for the rest of the week.”
    I look to Sasha, hoping she’ll provide me with a lie to get me out of it, but she doesn’t. Vivian transfixes her in a way I’ve never seen. The two stare each other down. Sasha gives Vivian a quick sweep with her eyes. Vivian does the same to Sasha with more intent. There must be some secret non-verbal language between rich people that the rest of us can’t translate.
    “Vivian, I don’t think it’d be a good idea,” I say. “My apartment is probably completely out of your way.”
    “Trust me,” she replies in an insisting tone. “I don’t mind.”
    Still, Sasha says nothing. In her eyes, I spot suspicion. Something is stirring in her brain.
    “Go with her, Cass,” Sasha says. “You shouldn’t sit in that damn apartment alone. I'm sure that Ms. Lynch will take good care of you.”
    Vivian nods affirmably. With them both ganging up on me at once, I can’t outright reject Vivian’s offer without feeling