Chapter One

It’s our anniversary today, Mike and I are celebrating our two years anniversary of being together today and this is our third year of knowing each other so it’s kind of special. Especially because he says he has something planned. To put it in his words a very extravagant and special night for a special woman.

All I need to do is meet him at the hotel where he booked our dinner, it’s one of the finest in the city and very expensive hotel as well. It’s almost impossible getting reservations there. One has to apply and wait for months many people wait years for a space to be available. I wonder how he did that, I’d have to ask him that when I see him later.

I blushed as I stepped out of the beauty shop where I just had a spa day thanks to Mike. I feel so calm and relaxed and just about ready to prepare for my date with him tonight, I can’t wait I’m just so excited. It just shows how much he cherishes us. I’m still so hyped about the whole thing I can’t wait to tell my girlies especially my best friend Laurel.

Laurel is my childhood friend and my other girlies Anna, Sophia and Chloe. And as soon as I tell them about my date with Mike the group chat is going to be buzzing. They’ve all be asking questions all day.

Laurel and I attend the same college while my other friends choose college back home, it’s been Laurel and I’s dream to attend the same college since childhood. We always do everything together, except laurel and I study do the same but we do share classes together and laurel is in her second year while I’m still in my first. So back story laurel got a year before me I had to reapply and with a little bit of my parent’s connection I was able to get in. so we don’t see each other as much as we would like.

Mike decided to come to the same college as me cause how could he resist doing all the cute couple stuff with his girlfriend in college and we also didn’t want to do long distance. Although he did defer his admission for a year just so we could start together. Yes I know he is the most amazing boyfriend ever.

A buzz from my handbag diverted my attention and I reached into my handbag to grab my phone. Pulling my phone out, my thumb swiped over the screen to pick the call. The caller ID says Best Gurl so I know it’s Laurel.

“Hey boo… what's up?” I asked

Supporting my phone with my shoulder while trying to balance my shopping bags and my handbag in my hand while also trying to make my way across the busy street.

“Haze? Seriously? Don’t tell me you forgot” Laurel asked I could feel her pouting from the other end of the phone. I could tell she was frowning

“Forgot what? Remind me again I’m pretty sure I did not forget but just for the sake of our friend remind me”

“The hangout with the girls.” Laurel says her voice sounding exasperated. I could tell she was shaking her head. The girls were coming over for the weekend to spend time with laurel and I and we were supposed to have lunch together.

Shit I definitely forgot. But can you blame I’ve got so much going on right now, the anniversary dinner and the preparations.

“Okay how late am I?” I croaked, rushing to the traffic light. I pressed the button waiting for the light to turn green so I could cross the street. I have to cross to the other side to get an Uber.

“uh… like twenty minutes but the girls aren’t here yet so you have a bit of time to get here before they do.” She paused and sighed “they are stuck in traffic but they are only a few minutes away”

“Okay I will get there as soon as I can just text me the address. I’ll get an Uber right now”

I cut the call and check my messages for the address she sent its only ten minutes away I should be able to make it in time. I type in the address on my uber app and my ride is literally ten minutes away. Luck is definitely not on my side today. I slid my phone into my purse and groaned Laurel will have my head if I am even later than I already am.

How could I forget the lunch date and all girls weekend?! I looked at my outfit it’s not the best but I don’t think it’s bad to meet with my girls on a lunch date. Plus it’s not a fancy restaurant but it doesn’t scream I-am-ready-for-a-date-with-my-girls. I guess it will have to do for now at least. I don’t have time to rush home to change and get a makeover.

I walked across the street as soon as the traffic lights hit red stopped by a restaurant and grabbed my phone to check my uber. Five minutes away. This day sucks. I just stand there and wait in the middle of the street while carrying heavy bags. Geez can this day be any slower. Soon enough the heavens heard my silent prayer and my Uber arrived. I put my bags in the back seat and got in. Thankfully the traffic on this side of town was quite light.

I was two minutes away from the restaurant when my phone started buzzing in my bag again. I could bet all my parent’s money it’s Laurel calling. I grabbed my phone and pulled it out of my bag and surely it was she.

“Hey B” I answered “Babes where are you? The girls are here… well asides from Chloe” Laurel asked

“I’m two minutes out, I’ll see you in a bit. What do you mean Chloe” I said

“Well talk when you get here hurry” she said and we hung up the phone

I stepped into the restaurant and I immediately saw my friends sitting at table for five people. I managed to wiggle my way around the restaurant with my shopping bags and dropped them the first available empty chair I saw at the table.

“Just in time” Laurel was the first to sight me and came over to give me a hug then Anna and then Sophia. We were sat at a round table. Sophia checked me out and I know she was doing a double take on my outfit. “Classic” she murmured before rejoining the conversation.

As soon as the waiter placed our orders on the table I am reminded of Chloe not being here.

“So guys what’s up with Chloe why couldn’t she make it?” I asked taking a sip of my strawberry milkshake.

“Nobody knows she just texted Anna that she couldn’t make it today and she would join us tomorrow” Sophia said while scrolling through her phone.

“And she hasn’t picked her calls since or replied anyone’s chat” Anna added

“I hope she’s fine I’ll try to call and text again you know just to make sure” I said

I picked up my phone and dialed Chloe’s number. It went straight to voicemail. I dropped her a text.

Lunch was over and I had I to leave before anyone else to get ready for my date tonight. I hugged everyone bye and just as I was about leaving Laurel whispers in my ears

“You and I are going to have a very long talk. Something’s definitely going with these many shopping bags, don’t think I didn’t notice” she says as she gave me a peck on my cheek. I smiled and mouthed “sure”