CHIARA POV
Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!
The sound resonated through my ears, jolting me awake from the comforting depths of sleep. Groggy and disoriented, I let out a frustrated groan. Who could possibly be so insistent on disturbing me at this ungodly hour?
"Argh, Who's that?!" I grumbled, rubbing my sleep-laden eyes in an attempt to wake myself up. The knocking persisted, each rap on the door growing more impatient than the last. It was as if the person on the other side couldn't fathom the fact that it was still morning.
"Chiara, wake up!" A familiar voice called out from beyond my bedroom door, accompanied by yet another round of knocks. It was Alexa, my dear friend and roommate, who seemed absolutely determined to rouse me from my slumber.
"I am awake!" I replied with a hint of annoyance, my voice muffled by the thick wooden barrier separating us. Finally succumbing to the incessant pleas, I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled towards the door, feeling the warmth of my cozy sheets relinquishing its hold on me.
As I turned the doorknob, the knocking ceased, replaced by a sigh of relief that escaped my lips. Alexa stood before me, her face filled with anticipation, her hand still lingering in mid-air as if ready to knock once more.
Here we were, three best friends embarking on the adventure of living together. Despite still maintaining our relationships with our families, Sanya, Alexa, and I had yearned for the companionship and closeness that only living under the same roof could provide.
With the unwavering support of our parents, we managed to make our dream a reality. It was Sanya's brilliant idea that sparked the notion, one that instantly resonated with both Alexa and me. So now, in this humble abode, the three of us shared laughter, tears, and countless unforgettable memories.
Leaving Alexa at the door, I made my way towards the bathroom, seeking solace and rejuvenation within its tiled walls. The rhythmic flow of warm water cascading over me was like a gentle embrace, gradually washing away the remnants of sleep and preparing me for the day that awaited outside.
FAST FORWARD
I finished getting ready for the day, dressed in my working clothes and feeling refreshed from my morning shower. As I descended the stairs, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of chatter filled my senses. Alexa and Sanya were already in the kitchen, enjoying their breakfast.
"Good morning!" I greeted them cheerfully, taking my place at the table. They looked up from their plates, grinning upon seeing me.
"Morning, Chiara!" they said in unison, their voices filled with warmth and affection. I returned their smiles and helped myself to some food, savoring the flavors as I chewed.
"So... do you have any plans?" I asked Sanya, hoping to spark a conversation about her upcoming birthday. She seemed slightly confused at my question, causing me to furrow my brows in return.
"What plans?" she asked, her sandwich halfway to her mouth as she looked up at me.
I rolled my eyes jokingly, "Like duh? Next week is your birthday, right?"
Alexa took this opportunity to tease Sanya, "Oh yeah, it's your birthday next week. Advance happy birthday, old lady, but still single haha," she said with a smirk on her face.
Sanya playfully glared at Alexa and set her sandwich down, raising an eyebrow at her, "Wow, as if you're not single."
Alexa quickly retaliated, "At least I'm not Nbsb like you," smirking at Sanya. And just like that, they started bickering again.
I let out a sigh, "So what's your plan?" I asked Sanya, as I redirected the conversation away from their bickering. Thankfully, they both stopped and turned their attention to me.
Sanya nodded, a playful smile on her face. "I'm going to have a lunch date with my family and... we're having a party at night!" Sanya exclaimed, clearly excited about her upcoming birthday celebrations. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and both Alexa and I exchanged glances of curiosity before turning our attention back to Sanya.
"We?" we both asked simultaneously, intrigued by Sanya's choice of words.
Sanya nodded, taking another bite of her sandwich, blissfully unaware of our confusion. "Yes, just the three of us!" she explained, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "And both of you can't say no to me because it's my birthday. Don't be party poopers."
Alexa couldn't help but giggle at Sanya's remark. "I'm good with that if we go to Club Z," she suggested, her voice filled with anticipation. I turned my gaze towards her, unsure about the idea of revisiting a place so closely tied to my past.
"Of course, where else?" Sanya chimed in, winking at Alexa. They exchanged knowing smiles, while I let out a sigh.
"Pass," I replied, annoyed that they were well aware that my ex-boyfriend owned that club. Tsk!
"Really? Last time I checked, you were a party girl, and it's Sanya's birthday, so just go along with it," Alexa tried to convince me.
"Club Z? Really?! You both know that the owner of that club is my ex, right?!" Frustration crept into my voice, knowing that they remembered this fact. Argh!
Alexa simply smirked at my reaction, teasingly asking, "Why not? Don't tell me you're not over him yet?" Her lips curled at the corners, a clear taunt in her voice.
Sanya, not willing to give up on her birthday plans, pleaded with me, pouting her lips in an adorable way. "It's fine, and we're already 21, we're free, so don't be a party pooper, Ara," she urged, making use of my nickname. "And I'm going to turn 22 next week." She added, wearing a pitiful expression on her face, hoping to sway my decision.
With a mixture of boredom and resignation, I conceded, "Okay then." It was clear that they would continue pestering me until I agreed, and I didn't want the playful atmosphere to be ruined by my stubbornness. With that, we finished our breakfast and headed off to work, leaving the plans for Sanya's birthday celebration to linger in the back of my mind.
Girls just wanna have fun
So they party, so they party
Ay-yo Nashi, you go crazy!
Lil' mama, a party girl
She just wan' have fun, too
They say you ain't wifey type
But I don't care, I want you
She like to do drugs, too
She in love with guns, too
They say you too piped up
But I think that I love you
I am playing "Party Girl" by StaySolidRocky on the way to work.
She don't want nobody
She don't need somebody
I'm tryna be wit' you so you don't be
without me
She told 'em just like me, no we can't leave without it
I sang along with the lyrics. This song is one of my favorites, so I know the lyrics. I continued driving when...
Ring! Ring!
My phone interrupted the serene atmosphere inside my car. I swiftly answered, "Mom?" anticipating her voice on the other end.
She wasted no time with pleasantries as she delivered surprising news, "You are getting married, Ara, so be ready, okay?"
My eyes widened in disbelief at her words, momentarily forgetting about the road ahead. "What?!" I exclaimed, feeling a surge of shock and confusion.
Caught off guard by the unexpected conversation, I slammed on the brakes, causing an unfortunate collision with the car behind me. An exasperated sigh escaped my lips. "Ugh! Such a nice day," I muttered in frustration, realizing that my distracted driving had caused this mishap.
My mom's concerned voice reached me through the phone, "What's that noise? What happened?" Her worry only added to my growing irritation.
Taking a deep breath, I replied, striving to remain calm, "Nothing, Mom. I'll call you back later. Bye." I hung up, determined to deal with the aftermath of the accident. Stepping out of the car, I examined the damage while mentally preparing myself for the inconvenience that lay ahead.
"Shit!" I heard a man's voice exclaim from behind me. I turned to find him also getting out of his vehicle, evidently involved in the collision.
"Sorry si--" I began to apologize, but my words trailed off as I caught sight of him looking in my direction. Shookt! He was undeniably attractive, causing my heart to skip a beat. Even with glasses, he managed to exude a certain charm. His captivating gray eyes, pointed nose, and perfectly styled medium-length hair framed a face that could easily belong in a fashion magazine. And his physique... well, let's just say it was quite impressive.
But any trace of excitement disappeared as he called out to me, his voice dripping with irritation. "Hey woman!" he exclaimed, even flicking something in my direction.
"Wha-What?" My momentary infatuation was shattered, replaced by frustration. Did I just stutter while speaking to him? How embarrassing!
"What the hell is your problem?!" He retorted, his annoyance no longer hidden as he glared at me. Instantly, I formed a negative impression of this handsome stranger. His rudeness certainly didn't make him more appealing in my eyes.
Under my breath, I muttered, "Sungit," to describe his sour attitude, trying to dismiss my disappointment. However, his behavior only cemented my dislike for him. It was disheartening to realize that someone so physically attractive could possess such an unappealing demeanor.
Feeling the precious minutes slipping away, he sighed deeply like he couldn't afford to waste any more time on this encounter. "Ugh! You know what? I don't have time for this," he declared, his voice tinged with frustration. "So you don't need to pay me for the damage to my car. Tsk! I'm going to be late for my meeting." With that, he turned away, abruptly ending our interaction.
He swiftly got into his car, driving off without further ado. Handsome but rude, I thought to myself with a hint of resignation. Oh well, some people just don't live up to their outward appearance.
Collecting myself, I returned to my own car, determined to put the encounter behind me. With a renewed focus, I resumed my journey to work, pushing aside the lingering irritation and resolving to concentrate on the tasks that awaited me.