By the time Keisha got home, the group chat had gone from a few shocked messages to full-scale "digital warfare".
The chat's name - "Sisters With Standards" - had never been more ironic.
---
Lydia: "So… y'all just gonna pretend we didn't see Keisha leave with Marcus?"
Tasha: "Chile, I'm still recovering. My champagne almost went up my nose."
Amber: "Not her taking her ex's best friend… legendary behavior."
Kim: That's not legendary, that's petty as hell.
Amber: "…and?"
---
Then Monique finally typed.
Monique: "Let me set the record straight before y'all start spreading lies."
Lydia: "Girl… the record is already streaming on Spotify."
Monique: "Marcus was just being polite. Derrick and I are fine."
Amber: "Mmm. "Fine" is a strong word for a man who didn't even chase his woman out the party.*
---
The screenshots started flying.
One from Tasha showing Keisha and Marcus walking out hand-in-hand.
Another from Lydia - a zoomed-in photo of Marcus whispering something to Keisha on the dance floor while she laughed like she was in a music video.
Monique's replies got shorter.
Monique: "Y'all messy."
Kim: "Messy? This is "entertainment"."
---
Meanwhile - Keisha's Side Chat
Keisha had her own private thread with Tasha and Amber, where the tea was being brewed at a higher temperature.
Tasha: "You know she's somewhere pacing right now."
Keisha: "Good. She can pace in the same robe she stole from me."
Amber: "OOP - "
---
In Monique's House
Monique tossed her phone on the couch, Derrick sitting beside her looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.
"You not gonna say nothing to him?" she snapped.
Derrick shrugged. "Marcus is grown."
That was the wrong answer.
"You know what? Y'all both ain't sh - " she started, but Derrick had already walked off toward the bedroom.
Monique sat there alone, the only sound in the room the ping of the group chat lighting up again.