been friends since high school, we were so happy we got accepted into the same school because we could be roommates and friends forever her words, not mine.
Kaida and I first met at summer school in high school I was sitting alone playing Tic-tac-toe, and that's when she approached me with a smile and asked if she could play after that day we had been inseparable.
"okayyyy, I need you happy so drink more," I said pointing at the coffee she was holding.
"I made you some, here" She passed me a cup of coffee
"Thanks, when would you be done with classes today" I said
"I should be done by 6 pm," she said
"All right, I'll pick up dinner on my way back from school"
We grabbed our bags and headed out of the apartment, we walked to school in comfortable silence.
We got to school and separated because our classes were on different blocks.
I got to class and sat next to Alex, we have been friends since freshman year,
"Hey cupcake," Alex said as I took my seat next to him,
He loves calling me pet names, I don't mind it
"Hello," I said smiling wildly
"How was your weekend" he said giving me his full attention
"My weekend was so short, but I was able to re-watch another season of Friends," I said as I unpacked the books I needed for the class
"What is with you and that series, you are always watching it," he said looking confused as hell
"It is my comfort show," I said
We have had this conversation over and over, he was about to give a reply that I am certain would turn the conversation into an argument but our lecturer walked in saving me from the argument.
After our first class, Alex and I went to a coffee shop nearby to get something to eat, because we didn't eat breakfast.
As usual, Alex paid for my food.
"I would be paying for our next meal together," I said as we walked into our next class.
"Sure," he said with a smile.
We had classes for the rest of the day, after our last class Alex and I parted ways.
I ordered a box of pizza on my walk home because I was feeling lazy and was not ready to wait in line for Chick-fil-A.
I go home and meet Kaida on the couch in shorts and my hoodie watching Gilmore Girls.
"Is that my hoodie?" I said making my way to the couch with the box of pizza
"Oh, pizza," she said completely ignoring what I had said
"Lemme get changed, then I'll join you," I said facing the direction of my room
I got changed and joined Kaida on the couch, I got comfortable and we watched Gilmore Girls till midnight
After binge-watching the show we both retired to our room
I couldn't sleep so I called Alex so we could get started with an assignment he promised to help me with
"Hey," I said into the phone
"Hello beautiful" I heard his voice through the phone with noise in the background.
"Are you busy?" I said
"Yeah let me call you back, my brother decided to organize a business party today so I had to attend," he said in a rush.
"Okay," I said and hung up the call
After the call, I slept off.
The week was the same routine, I attended classes, had lunch, and studied with Alex then got home to binge-watch a series with Kaida.
Alex came over on Sunday to invite us to the opening of his brother's new club, I am not a party person so Alex and Kaida are trying to convince us.
"Come on Hazel," Alex said
"No I don't like the club, it is full of perverts
"I'll be by your side at all times, I promise," Kaida said with the most convincing smile she could muster"
"Okay fine I'll go," I said to shut both of them up
"Yay" Kaida shouted
"We need to start getting ready, "she said pushing Alex out of the room and shutting the door.
"Call me when you guys are done getting ready, I'll pick you up" he shouted behind the door before exiting our apartment.
Immediately Alex left Kaida pushed me into the bathroom to get an everything bath saying I might get some tonight, her words not mine.
When I got out of the bathroom, Kaida already had four outfits on the bed for me to decide which I would like to go with for the night.
I picked a short dress that sticks to my body with a jacket and a knee-length boot.
"Come here Hazel, let me help you with your makeup," she said walking in with her makeup purse.
"Na I am good, it is going to be hot in the club and you know how I hate the heat and makeup," I said moving away from her reach.
"Not even a little bit," she said trying to reach for me
"No, I'll just go with my lip combo and mascara," I said
"Okay," she said taking a sit to get started with her makeup
Alex showed up twenty minutes after we called him
"Heads up," he said as he threw me the keys
Alex grinned, "You get to drive for the first time tonight. Buckle up!"
I can't believe Alex was letting me drive his precious sports car for the first time. I felt a rush of adrenaline as I started the engine and eased out of the driveway, Kaida whooping in the backseat.
As we arrived at the club, I felt a thrill of pride parking Alex's car. We spilled out onto the sidewalk, Kaida and I were about to join the crowd of people waiting to get in but Alex pulled us to the entrance giving the bouncers a signal to let us in.
Alex led us to the bar to get some drinks, and then we dove into the crowd, dancing and laughing.
I lost myself in the music, dancing with Alex and Kaida on the crowded floor.
But as the song reached its climax, I suddenly felt a pressing need to use the bathroom. I leaned into Alex and shouted over the music, "I'll be right back, I need to use the restroom!"
Alex nodded, his eyes sparkling with understanding. "I'll be here!"
"Should I come with you?" Kaida shouted over the music
"No it's fine" I shouted back making my way through the crowd of people, my eyes scanning the crowded room for the bathroom sign. Finally, I spotted it and pushed my way through the door.
As I exited the bathroom, I saw a lit hallway that caught my attention so I followed it down and it led into a luxurious office, surrounded by sleek leather furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Behind a massive desk sat a man with piercing green eyes, his gaze fixed intently on me. I felt a shiver run down my spine as our eyes met.
"Can I help you?" he asked, his deep voice commanding attention.
I shook my head, feeling a little disoriented. "I was just looking for the bathroom" I lied.
The stranger frowned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We both know that's a lie," he said with annoyance.
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, "Hi I am Hazel, nice to meet you"
His gaze lingered on mine, making me feel like he could see right through me. I shifted uncomfortably, unsure what to say next.
"Okay, can you get out now" he said with so much spite in his voice
I felt a sting from his dismissal, but I knew I had to leave. I turned and quickly exited the office, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I emerged back into the hallway.
That was rude I thought to myself as I walked back to the VIP section where I saw Alex and Kaida kissing.
"Oh my God" I shouted and they broke apart
"It was nothing" Kaida rushed to say
"Yeah," Alex said with a sad smile
"We were starting to worry about you," Kaida said
I plopped down beside them on the couch. "Sorry, I had a weird encounter with some guy in an office."
Alex's eyes narrowed. "What guy?"
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just some guy with green eyes. He was really rude to me."
Kaida's expression turned curious.
"That sounds like Ares. What did he do?" Alex asked
"Your brother?" I asked
"Yeah, I am sorry, he doesn't like getting interrupted when he is in business mode that's why I haven't introduced him to you tonight," Alex said
"You don't have to apologize for him Alex," I said smiling at him.
"Yeah, that's right. What did he say to you, Hazel?" Kaida said
I filled them in on the details
"What a jerk," Kaida said
Twenty minutes after I narrated the encounter with Ares to them we decided to leave the club, the music was still pulsating, but my excitement had worn off and I was ready to call it a night.
We pushed through the sweaty bodies, and when we reached the exit the cool night air enveloped us, a welcome from the club's stifling heat. I took a deep breath, feeling the stress and tension melt away.
"Let's get out of here," Alex said, gesturing to his car parked nearby.
We piled in, exhausted but still buzzing from the night's events. As Alex drove us away from the club, I gazed out the window, lost in thought.