Sadie
The world was a playground, and I Sadie Robertson, was a kid with an-all access pass. At twenty years old, I had everything a girl could want: a life of privilege, a coveted internship at a top accounting firm on the horizon, and a face and figure that according to my mirror and a small army of admirers, were "every girl's dream." I was a third-year accounting student, smart and ambitious, but right, now my life felt more like a soap opera than a spreadsheet.
I was working across campus, replaying the dramatic finale of my last relationship in my head. My ex, Sam, had a knack for showing up where I least expect him. Just last week, I'd found him in a cafe, a greasy-haired boy with a self-important smirk, making out with some rail-thin blonde who looked like a dandelion in a bad wig. The break up had been a messy, public affair that ended with me blocking his number and his pathetic attempts to crawl back. Now, he was still trying to "stalk" me, a word my friends insisted was more accurate than "begging for another chance". He was a persistent, desperate ghost I couldn't seem to shake.
Lost in my thoughts, I walked headfirst into someone, nearly knocking my books to the ground. I looked up, ready to fire off a scathing retort, when I saw the familiar, knowing grins of my three best friends.
"Hey, you," Josie said, her dark eyes narrowed in playful accusation. "What the hell are you thinking about so early? I swear you get more dramatic every day."
I let out a soft laugh. "Nothing. Just thinking about how to escape Marcel's party tonight."
Julia, her green orbs shining with mischief, piped up. "My husband is back?" She asked a familiar joke from the days when she had a desperate, middle school-esque crush on my oldest brother. We all laughed, a comfortable, shared rhythm of humor and affection.
"Keep dreaming, lady," Ember said with a dry, knowing smirk. Unlike the rest of us, Ember didn't believe in love. She was a self-professed "fictional character simp" who devoured romance novels but was completely apathetic to her own real-life relationship, a setup arranged by her traditional parents. Her sarcastic anecdotes about her boyfriend were a constantly source of amusement.
We continued our journey to class, the conversation flowing from weekend plans to lectures to the recent rumors about campus cafeteria food. We arrived at our lockers, and mine was unmistakable. A small mountain of flowers, chocolate and hand written notes lay piled at its base, a testament to the school's male population having finally caught a wind of my breakup with Sam
"Seems you're picking up more admirers daily," Josie teased, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation.
I shrugged, a small smile on my face. "I'd prefer if it was money being dropped instead of all these flowers." I knelt down pushing the bouquets aside to get to my locker.
As I grabbed my books, Ember's eyes lit up. "Ooh, this one has chocolate!x" she exclaimed, holding up a gourmet box.
Julie's eyes widened. "Please, can we have it?" She asked, her voice a perfect pout.
I chuckled. "Sure, you can," I said, before hearing a low growl from Josie.
"Here comes the scum." Her voice was laced with her usual sophisticated contempt. We all turned to see Sam, a pathetically disgusting and desperate expression on his face. I sighed, turning to walk away, but his hand shot out and grabbed my arm.
"Let go of me, you scumbag," I snapped, yanking my arm free. My voice was low and dangerous.
He fell to his knees dramatically. "I'm so sorry, babe. It was a mistake."
I felt my blood boil. I leaned down, grabbing the collar of his shirt. "Call me 'babe' on more time and I swear I will castrate you" I hissed, my eyes full of venom.
He shuddered under my grip. "Please Sadie, just give us another chance."
I stood up straight, letting him go. "You don't seem to understand, do you? We are not an 'us'. We are done." The words felt final and liberating. I had no doubt the entire spectacle was already being recorded and uploaded to every campus forum.
As I walked away, Josie's arm slid around me. "What a nuisance so early in the morning," she muttered, and I found myself smiling. My friends were the best antidote to any morning drama.
We finished our classes and made our way back to the lockers to drop off our books.
"We are going clubbing tonight. Are you joining us, Lettie?" Julie asked using my middle name as she sometimes did.
I winced. "I can't. Marc would kill me, and besides..." The words got stuck in my throat a strange heat rising to my cheeks.
"Besides what?" They all echoed in unison, eager for a new piece of gossip.
"Ethan is coming home...with Zane." I said barely a whisper. Ember let out a high pitched shriek.
"The Zane? The one who looks like he stepped out of one of my fictional books?" She demanded, her eyes wide with excitement.
I chuckled, a nervous flutter in my stomach. "Yes him"
"Let's have a sleepover instead," Josie said, her eyes meeting mine with a conspiratorial glance. I wiggled my eyebrows at her. She had a long standing crush on my eldest brother, Ethan, and I had noticed the way his gaze lingered on her, the way he had been asking about her lately.
"Don't look at me like that," she said hitting me playfully.
"Fine," I said, trying to contain my triumphant smirk. "Sleepover at my place by ten. We could join the party later if we want."
"I'm coming by four," Ember said. "I need to swim in your pool before it is filled with the scent of manhood "
Julie squealed. "I'm in, too."
"I guess I have no choice but to concur," Josie said, a look of defeat on her face that made us all laugh.
"Bye, ladies. See you at four." I said before getting into my chauffered Royce.