After math

Ava woke up in her bed to a cold and empty room.

She lay motionless on the twin-sized bed.

How did she get to her room last night?

It took a minute for the memories of last night's escapades to come rushing back to her but as soon as they did her cheeks burned in embarrassment.

Ava had not done something so daring and spontaneous since she left college and here she was having a one-night stand with her pizza delivery guy.

Eliana was going to flip when she heard this.

She'd been trying to get Ava back into the world for weeks and no matter how messed up it seems her best friend would be very proud she hooked up with a complete stranger.

She didn't even get his name.

For a moment, Ava wanted to lay there and reminisce about every tiny detail from last night, she could still feel the light stings between her legs.

She was sore with an ear-splitting headache.

Ava chalked all her actions last night to the alcohol she downed, knowing fully well she was conscious of every action that took place yesterday.

She wanted to deny it but she craved comfort after the news about Dimitri and the pizza guy was offering it so she grabbed the opportunity.

Did she have any regrets other than not getting his name and phone number?

No, none whatsoever.

She pulled herself up from bed and rolled into her side. She was stark naked under the covers, another reminder of her wild night.

Picking a towel up from her stack of clothes she tied it around her chest.

For a moment her eyes roamed the room, with strings of clothes hanging on every surface, it was a mess.

She groaned in frustration, he must have seen her room when he brought her up here last night.

She moved towards the stairs and stumbled down, picking at her braids.

The further than the stairs she got, the more panic bloomed in her chest.

"Fuck! " She cussed.

Ava could not see her Sofa from where she stood, her feet remained planted on the wooden stairs.

How could she be so foolish?

She'd let a stranger into her apartment and fallen asleep before the stranger left, she pictured the worst-case scenario with all her furniture stolen.

As if pushed, Ava dashed down the stairs in a flash, heart pacing.

If she was indeed robbed then she was more worthless than gum.

She reached the living room and heaved out a sigh, eyes closing in relief as she dropped to the floor.

Her pieces of furniture were not stolen but her couch was moved due to their activities last night.

She was relieved Mr pizza wasn't some robber or serial killer, the thought made her giddy.

Ava got up and moved to the kitchen, cringing at the empty bottles of wine laying on the living room floor.

She was drained and starving, making a mental note never to do strenuous activities on empty stomachs again.

She wasn't sure if they would be a next time, anytime soon.

As she approached her mini fridge, her eyes caught the piece of paper with words scribbled on in black ink.

"I'm not sure what you like and I didn't want to intrude so I ordered you a cup of coffee and tea and a sandwich.

Rest well"

C. P

"C. P?" She tested the letters on her tongue, they felt familiar, who was C. P, she was certain she'd seen that initial before.

And besides, tons of people had the initials so it wasn't a big deal. The note made her feel warm and fuzzy.

He'd cared enough to order her something.

How nice of him.

Ava admired the to-go cup from Camille's, the same place she ordered pizza from yesterday.

The door Bell's shrill cry blasted through the small space, forcing Ava to cover her ears because the machine was placed directly in the kitchen.

Her fingers laced around the tea cup without giving the coffee a taste, she was not a fan of the caffeine-injected product.

She waddles to the door, one hand trying to keep her towel around her bust and the other holding on to her beverage choice.

As expected, Elaina was out the door looking dashing in her purple jumpsuit paired with a black blazer on top.

Her hair was neatly styled into Bantu knots which she accessorized with silver bands.

Her silver pieces of jewelry completed the entire look.

Ava opened the door for her and stepped aside, letting her in.

Elaina looked ready for the work day, she was pumped and revitalized while Ava felt like she was hit by a train.

The stark contrast between the two friends has been there since college, Elaina was a morning person and Ava was not so they balanced each other out perfectly.

As Ava moved back to the kitchen to finish her very thoughtful breakfast, Elaina remained rooted in her spot by the door scrutinizing Ava's body.

"Gurrrl... I know post-sex energy when I feel one and they're coming off you in waves!! Spill" She exclaimed minutes later, jumping giddily in her 2-inch heels.

"What are you talking about?! " Ava denied loudly, feeling self-conscious she covered her bust with both hands, putting down her food.

"Ava, what did you do? " Elaina continued with a teasing smile and a pointed look directed at her best friend.

"Nothing Elie! stop overreacting" Ava dragged with a laugh.

Elaina could be so dramatic at times.

"So you had no one in your room last night? " She pushed, eyebrows raised in doubt.

"No, I slept through the night, " Ava answered.

She knew Elaina would find out sooner than later but she wanted to play her game and watch her be the detective.

"So that handkerchief laying on the table did not belong to whoever was here yesterday?" She questioned, pointing at the piece of material laying on the floor close to the repositioned sofa.

"That's mine" Ava squeaked out.

"Stop lying through your ass and speak bitch" Eliana Hollered turning around to face Ava.

She was always hyper and energetic.

"Fine! But you need to sit down for this" Ava resigned, clearing out the takeaway and joining Eliana in the living room.

"Preferably on the floor, I haven't cleaned the sofa yet" Ava's cheeks were heating up, she was embarrassed.

Eliana's eyes grew wild, giving her a crazed look.

"You dirty girl! " She exclaimed again, sitting crossed-legged on the floor.

"So I found out Dimitri got remarried last night- "

"That fucker! How could he?! " Elaina Interrupted, moving closer to throw an arm around Ava in comfort.

"Don't worry, I'm fine now but yesterday I wasn't and the pizza delivery guy- "

"You did not!! " Elaina interrupted once more, hands over her mouth.

"One thing led to another and we fucked. on the couch. For a long time," Ava completed watching as her best friend made weird hand gestures.

Followed by a high-pitched scream.

"I'm glad you're finally taking the reigns of your life babe and if you do that by fucking a stranger I still support you" Eliana spoke after calming herself down.

"Thanks, I'm glad I have you with me" Ava answered.

Both girls had their fair share of hardships and struggles but they were always there for each other.

"Now I won't give you the talk about safe sex and using protection, I already did that years ago" Elaina joked.

"I'm on the pill," Ava assured.

"Okay now let's talk business" Elaina declared, dropping the file on Ava's lap.

"What are these? "

"Those are a list of open job opportunities I collected from my clients. I had them color-coded, blue for the work you can start immediately and the pay is also good. Red for the ones that'll take time to set up" She explained.

"I don't know what to say" Ava started, tears welling up in her eyes.

Elaina had reduced her stress of looking for a job by at least 70%, even when she did not ask her to.

"You say nothing and get dressed, I'll drop you at the first spot" Elaina dismissed with a flick of her hands.

"No, you've been so good to me since I've known you and I can't express how much I love you" Ava poured, they rarely did the sappy emotional conversation but she felt the need to let her best friend know how much she meant to her.

"I love you too babe always" Elaina replied, pulling her friend in a warm hug.

"Now go get dressed, we're running very late" She pushed Ava towards the stairs after breaking their hug.

"You can tell me all about the hunk you slept with in the car, I can't wait" She shouted after Ava.

This marks the beginning of her new life.

Ava thought.