41
2 weeks later…
“Do you want something to eat, Princess?” I inquired.
“Macaroni and Cheese!” Dalia screamed.
“Don’t be silly; we had that yesterday.” I said, tickling Dalia.
Dalia giggled, “Ahhhh…. Avaaa…. STOPP.”
“All right, fine, but we need to find something to eat for lunch.” I responded.
“That isn’t necessary; I’m going to take Dalia out to lunch.” A voice spoke up.
I turned to see Veronica standing in the kitchen doorway “Oh, Veronica, I had no idea you’d be home at this hour.” I said.
“Mommmm!!” Dalia screamed, leaping from her chair and sprinting over to her mother.
“I missed you, sweetheart.” Veronica said to Dalia, who had her arms around her waist.
“I missed you too.” Dalia yelled.
“Can you go to the other room, I need to talk to Ava?”
“Okay.” Dalia said as she separated herself from her mother and ran out of the living room.
“Ava, my brother-in-law died recently.” Veronica said.
“I sincerely apologize.” I replied, my gaze fixed on the floor.
“Oh don’t be darling, he was a terrible person, and I’m glad he’s finally gone.” Veronica responded, her voice tinged with joy.
I looked up at her, completely taken aback.
“Anyway, now that he’s gone, I figured I should spend more time with Dalia. So I’m retiring, your contract remains in effect, and you can continue working for pay, but you can also quit at any time.” She elaborated.
“I don’t intend to quit anytime soon, if that’s okay with you.” I responded.
“You can, of course, take the rest of the day off. I’ll be staying with Dalia here.” She stated.
“Okay! I’ll just gather my belongings and call my ride.” With a smile, I said. Veronica nodded, and I took my purse from the counter and pulled out my phone. I walked out of the kitchen to say my goodbyes to Dalia.
“Hello, Princess. I’m going to leave. However, I will see you on Monday.” I said.
“All right, bye-bye.” She stated.
I smiled as I dialed Travis’ phone number.
Ring…
Ring…
“Shortness, is everything all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine; could you come get me?”
“I’m at home, give me about 3 minutes.”
“All right, thank you.”
I hung up the phone and went outside to meet Travis when he arrived to pick me up. Travis arrived at the house a few minutes later.
“Hello, blue.” I said as I got into the car.
“How are you, shortness?” He laughed as he drove back to his house.
“Since I have the entire day off, I’m going to see if Charis and Jenny want to go out.” I responded.
“Where are you going to?” Travis inquired, his voice concerned.
“Oh no, I forgot. How are you and Charis doing?” I made a joke.
“Shortness, please stop talking. We’ve only gone on a few dates.”
“Haha, calm down, you were drooling all over her, and I notice when you leave the house at odd hours.” I responded.
“All right… yeah…. I guess I like her.” He murmured.
“I knew it!!!!!.” As we pulled into Travis’ driveway, I screamed.
“Of course you do,” Travis said as he got out of the car.
“Oh, shut up.” I responded while following him into the house. I watched Travis walk into another room and assumed I shouldn’t bother him since he was at work. I went up to my room and took out my phone.
Me: Tonight is our night out. 7:00 at Cameo.
Jenny: Yee… Girls’ night!
Charis: That’s a club, Ava… are you sure?
Me: “I don’t care any longer; I can handle myself, and we’re going.
Charis: Okay, if you’re sure bitch.
Jenny: YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Me: see you there
I needed a girls’ night out, and as much as I disliked drinking, I would do anything to forget about Andrew. Even though it had been two weeks, he had not left my mind; I saw him everywhere I went and he was still haunting my dreams.
I needed to take a break.
After 6 hours…
“This is ideal!” I screamed after a 20-minute search through my closet.
I dashed to the bathroom, grabbing the dress from the back of my closet. I put on the dress and noticed how it hugged my curves perfectly and covered all of my assets while still flattering me. I curled my hair and applied a smokey eye with eyeliner and a deep red lipstick.
I put on some heels and dashed downstairs, where Travis was waiting.
“Come on, let’s go.” I dashed down the stairs and out the door.
“How can you run that fast, Jesus shortness?” Travis cracked a joke.
I got into the car and waited while Travis took his sweet time getting into and starting the car.
“Someone is extremely happy.” Travis stated as he exited the driveway and drove to the club.
“I suppose I just missed seeing my friends,” I explained.
To be honest, I just needed to be reminded that I had a life prior to Andrew, and that my friends were an important part of it.
The previous two weeks had been torturous, but I was gradually recovering. My nightmares continued, but I learned how to block him out; my emotions had subsided, and to be honest, I felt completely numb. I felt as if there was no point in living without him, but I hoped that my friends could fill that void in my life… and in my heart.
I stared out the window, watching the beautiful city become even busier as the sun set.
When we arrived at the club, I noticed Jenny and Charis standing in front of it. I almost tackled them as I rushed out of the car to give them a hug.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
“Hello, baby, we missed you as well.” Charis stated.
“Yeah, I missed you, too,” I said.
“Your birthday is approaching, and we need to plan something!” Jenny yelled.
“Hell yeah, it’s only a week away, right?” Charis inquired.
I simply nodded. I never had the courage to tell them how much I despise my birthday because they both enjoy throwing parties and buying me small gifts.
“Yeah, but I’m in the mood to dance right now.” In a sarcastic tone, I demanded.
“Let’s start the party!!”” Jenny yelled, breaking free from my grip.
“Is that Travis?” Charis inquired. When I turned around, Travis was walking in our direction.
“I suppose it is.” I responded, knowing Charis would enjoy her time with Travis.
“Hello, ladies. Hello, Charis.” Travis approached us with nervousness.
“I guess it’ll be a girls night plus Travis,” I chuckled.
“All right, come on whatever you want, I need a drink.” Jenny screamed. We were all laughing and following her.
I walked into the club and was immediately hit by the pungent smell of alcohol. I looked around and saw hot, sweaty bodies dancing to ear-shatteringly loud music. The club is dark, but lights fly everywhere, enchanting people even more.
Jenny took my hand in hers and dragged me to the bar.
“8 shots,” she instructed the bartender.
Concerned, I raised my brow. “You said you wanted to drink, and this is the best way to do it.” I’ll make sure Travis stays sober so that nothing bad happens.” She elaborates.
I nodded and watched her take a shot, bring it to her mouth, shoot her head back, and drink it.
I took my shot and brought it to my mouth in the same way Jenny had. I threw back my head and let the sour drink burn my throat.
“Three more, babe.” Jenny said as she took another shot.
I scrunched up my nose at the obnoxious taste of the alcohol, but gave in when the burning in my throat subsided. Jenny watched as I took the shots, and when I was finished, she grabbed my hand again and dragged me to the dance floor.
I began dancing with Jenny, and I could feel the effects of the alcohol within a few minutes. The music became less loud and my body began to relax; I felt buzzed and no longer worried about all the what ‘if’s.
“Damn, I’ve never tried alcohol before.”
I danced with Jenny while watching Charis and Travis dance. I smiled, knowing they both liked each other, and I was overjoyed at the prospect of my best friends falling in love.
I swayed to the music until I felt a familiar pair of hands grab my waist from behind me, sending electricity through my entire body.
I spun around, hoping the hands didn’t belong to who I thought they did.
“I came here to forget him, not to meet him.”
But when I turned around, I was met with his emerald eyes.
I locked my gaze on his piercing emerald eyes.
I didn’t look into them.
No, No. He is not supposed to be present. I despise him.
My blood began to boil as I turned away from his stare, pulled away from his hands, and began walking to where Travis was.
“Travis, I’m ready to go home.” I demanded, slightly slurring my words.
“What happened?” he inquired, looking up at me.
“Ava.” Andrew practically yelled.
“Please take me home.” I walked outside, leaving Travis with Charis and ignoring Andrew.
I snuck past people dancing and made my way to the exit. I staggered out of the club, allowing the cool air of New York to soothe me.
“What audacity.” I was thinking to myself.
“Ava.” Behind me, I heard a soft, raspy voice say. I rolled my eyes and began walking toward Travis’s car.
“Ava,” Andrew said again, grabbing my hand and jerking me around to face him.
“Don’t even think about touching me.” I spat, yanking my hand away from his clutches.
“Ava, you’re drunk; let me drive you home.” Andrew stated.
“No, you gave up that right a longgggg time ago.” I hissed, my gaze fixed on him.
“Ava?” Coming out of the club, I overheard Travis say. I started walking over to Travis, but I tripped. Right before I hit the ground, I felt a pair of strong arms catch me; I looked up and saw that Andrew had caught me.
His arms were perfectly wrapped around my waist, and I missed how safe and perfect I felt in his arms.
No, No. He had wrapped his arms around Ashley before.
“Get off my back.” I hissed and pushed him away from me. I wobbled over to Travis, who was watching everything, and fell into his arms.
I returned my attention to Andrew, who was furiously glaring at Travis, whose arms were wrapped around me.
“Can we leave now?” Travis was pleading with me.
“HOME?! You’re going to stay with Travis? NO WAY, Ava, you’re coming home.” Andrew yelled.
I stood there watching as he stormed over to Travis and me, grabbing my arm and pulling me into him.
“LEAVE ME ALONE.” I screamed and punched his chest as my head began to spin.
“No, no, no.” Andrew said, drawing me closer to him.
“YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO DO THIS.” I yelled before everything went black.