The September night was warm, with a starless sky, a luminous moon the only light. A soft breeze cooled my skin as I walked towards the balustrade and placed my cup on the limestone surface. My phone buzzed at that exact moment and I pulled it out of my heart-shaped clutch encrusted with rhinestones. A flurry of messages populated the group chat with my two best friends, Anna and Layla.
The first message was a selfie of Layla and her boyfriend, Josh, having dinner at a popular Mexican restaurant with another couple slash friends of ours, Ella and Cade.
Hope you’re all having a good nightMiss you both! —Layla
The second was a picture of a light pink bustier top on a mannequin, stitched with gold threading, freshwater pearls, andornamental chains. It was so beautiful that I was speechless as I soaked in the artistry.
What do we think? It’s still a WIP. —Anna
Anna was a creative genius and a fashion designer in the making. Her style was opulent with a hint of scandal. All of her creations contained lush fabrics and were embroidered with intricate patterns that made you feel like a million dollars. One day, she was going to be a Canadian powerhouse. We just knew it.
Omg! Anna, this is gorgeous. I want one. —Layla
I started typing up my replies.
HiI miss you all! The party’s no fun without my girls. —Gabby
Anna, that is stunning. For yourself or a commission? —Gabby
Also, I want one too!! —Gabby
Thank you, beautiesIt’s for myself. Next time we hang out, I’ll take both of your measurements and see what I can do. —Anna
And I miss you both too. Are we still good for brunch tomorrow? xo —Anna
We always did brunch on the weekends. It was our thing. I’d known these girls since our childhood days because our moms were friends. And although we were busier than ever with sophomore year of undergrad and various priorities, we still made time for each other. I firmly believed that showing up for the people you loved and cared for constantly was what kept relationships running like a well-oiled machine.
Once we confirmed our plans, I pocketed my phone and my posture deflated like a sagging helium balloon as a bout of loneliness slotted into my system.
There was a time when Anna used to join me for nights out like these, but that was before she got hurt in one of the worstways possible. Now she was a bit more introverted like Layla. She would rather get lost in one of her sewing projects and Layla would rather get lost in her art or one of her culinary adventures.
Then there was me.
I never liked being alone.
Not when I was a kid and certainly not as an adult.
Perhaps I was more like my mamma than I thought. There was a void in my chest that needed filling too. And I filled it. With pointless parties, pointless men, pointless interactions.
I tried to stay a busy bee with school, work, and social commitments. Otherwise, my head got too loud and I didn’t always like my own thoughts. Clearly, I had mommy and daddy issues—amongst many others like a seasoned magazine—but no will to truly work on them.
Sometimes I wished I were more like Anna and Layla. They were extremely comfortable in their own presence and silence. Me? I was needy. Ihadto be surrounded by people.
“This sucks,” I muttered to myself. Being here without my friends, seeing my ex-fling with my current peer, and doing my utmost best not to let all these irritating thoughts cripple me mentally.
Maybe I should consider offing Tom for having the audacity to humiliate me with Morgan. It would be one less thing to mull over…
Seconds later, a man’s deep voice intoned from behind me, “What sucks?”
“Oh my God!” I flinched, nearly knocking my drink off the balustrade.
Hearing a chuckle in response, I whirled around, trying to find the source of the sound. A tall figure cloaked in darkness stood in the corner of the terrace, not close enough for me to properly see his characteristics.
“Give a girl a warning, would you?” I narrowed my eyes. “It’s not nice to spy on people.”
“I was here before you,” he drawled. “If anything, I’d say you were spying on me.”
“That’s not possible.” I flicked my chin in a haughty manner. “I didn’t even see you. Ergo, I couldn’t have been spying on you.”
