02

« Shut up, Chris, » Lucy says, and continues to shake my shoulder slightly. « I don’t wanna go, » I groan and bury my head into the pillow.

I hear them both sigh, and not much later I’m being dragged out of my bed.

« Guys ! Guys ! Fine ! I’ll get up, » I mutter grumpily and get on my feet, stomping over to my closet and grabbing the first thing I see. It’s an oversized sweater which is good because I’ll be in need of something comfortable while traveling.

I grab a pair of yoga-pants and quickly change while Lucy and Chris are talking to each other. « Done, » I say and pull my hair into a ponytail.

« I already put the last things you need in your suitcase, I already knew what you always take with you, » Chris says and zips up my black, shiny suitcase. I step into the little bathroom I have and quickly freshen up a little.

I have no idea why I paid extra for such a tiny bathroom. I brush my teeth and throw some water in my face, not caring to put on make-up except for a little bit of lip-balm.

« Alright, let’s get the fuck out of here, » I say once I’m out of the bathroom and grab my suitcase. We get out of the dorm and I see there’s a taxi waiting for us. After everything’s loaded we get in the car and start driving to the JFK airport.

I remember when I came back to New York for college. It still hurt coming back here, walking on the streets where I was with Vincenzo. My hand reaches up to the necklace around my neck, and I start playing with the pendant. I hear Lucy sigh beside me.

« Am still wondering why you’re wearing that crap, » she mutters. I roll my eyes.

« Like I’ve said a million times before, it’s too expensive to throw away. »

But we both know that’s not the reason why I keep it.

I lay my head in Chris’ shoulder and close my eyes. « Thank you for being here, » I yawn to him and wrap my arms around his arm. He laughs. « Of course, » he says and I feel two lips press against my forehead.

Even though back then he still loved me in the way he shouldn’t, he still kept coming to my house to comfort me. He never took advantage of me being vulnerable. He grieved with me, he knew how it felt like and he still forgave me.

It’s still a mystery that he wanted to be friends with me, but I’m so grateful for his friendship. After some time, he got over it, and we even joked around about my infidelity. It isn’t awkward anymore.

I’m getting pulled out of my thoughts by the car pulling up the airport. We get out and the driver helps us with our suitcases.

« Thank you, » Chris says to him and sends him a subtle wink. I roll my eyes but still smile at his behavior. « Come on, » I say, « we have to check in. »

After doing the necessary we walk through the stores on the airport. « Come on, there’s a Victoria’s Secret ! » Lucy says and walks over to it. Chris huffs beside me.

« I think it’s so unfair they don’t sell sexy menswear, » he mutters and follows Lucy into the store.

I smile and also enter the store, exploring the rays of lingerie and perfume. I find two bottles of perfume that I really like and decide to buy it.

I’m wandering around the store when I hear Lucy yell. « Athena ! This will look amazing on you ! »

I look over to where she’s standing, and see her holding up a sexy, black set of lingerie and another cute white set. « They’re really hot as fuck, » I say truthfully and take them from her.

« You should buy them ! I’m sure you’ll get laid, » she winks. I think about it, and ponder if I should buy them.

« You only live once, right ? » I ask and decide to buy them. She claps in her hand and we walk over to the cash register, buying the stuff we want.

« Okay girls, we really need to head to our gate, » Chris says as soon as we walk out of the store. I check my boarding pass, then the hour and see that he’s right. We head to our gate, and Lucy can’t contain her excitement.

« Yo, Vancouver here we come, » Lucy squeals excitedly.

The three badass bitches are about to head back home.

It’s always weird to be back home. To walk inside my house and have the old smell surrounding me.

The smell of cookies is so welcoming and comforting. And having the arms of my mom and dad wrapped around me is nostalgic. « I’ve missed you both so much, » I say and let go of them.

My mom has tears brimming her eyes. « You’re so grown up, baby. You’re so mature and– and… » she sobs which makes me roll my eyes. « You say that every time when I come home, mom, » I say and walk past them, to the living room.

Dad laughs behind me. « How were your exams, honey ? »

« They went well, » I say honestly. He sighs relieved. « Glad to hear that, » he smiles and kisses my cheek.

« Oh ! » mom says when she remembers something. « I made your favorite cookies ! » she exclaims happily and drags me over to the kitchen.

« Tea ? » mom asks. I smile. « I would love that. »

Chris, Lucy and I said our goodbyes to each other at the airport. I’ll be seeing Chris tomorrow anyways at the gala. Which reminds me of something.

« What time will the gala be tomorrow ? » I ask my parents. My mom sets milk on the table along with the cookies she made. I greedily grab one and take a bite.

« It will start at 8 tomorrow, » dad answers. I didn’t get much information about it. My dad only told me there was a Christmas gala to celebrate it and asked me if I wanted to sing.

Mom sets a cup of steaming hot tea in front of me. « Thank you, » I smile at her and carefully take a sip. « Is there a dress code ? » I ask them.

« Gold and white, » mom answers. Instantly a dress that I bought last year comes into my mind. « Alright, I already got a dress, » I say and take another cookie. The chocolate melts right on my take when I take another bite, and I moan in pure happiness. « This is so good, mom, » I compliment her.

« You’ll have to do a duet, » dad says. I choke on my food. What ?

« A duet ? » I ask. He looks at me while drinking of his milk. « Yeah. There’s another woman who’s going to sing and she’d like to sing with you. »