I decided to take Wednesday off.

Correction: I was forced to take Wednesday off.

Abby and Chloe insisted that we go out for lunch and shopping. I said no, they dragged me by my ankles out of bed and threw me clothes, and pushed me out the door.

Abby asked Chloe to take us to the Manhattan Mall. She says we need to pick out a cute birthday outfit for me for Saturday night.

I'm not sure what that means but yet again this wasn't my choice.

We're strolling through H&M when Abby pulls on my leather jacket towards her.

"This is so cute," she gasps, pulling a satin silver dress off of a rack. "Chloe!"

Chloe runs over to us from the sweater section holding three shirts and a leather skirt.

"Oh wow! Mandy try that on!"

I snicker, "I'll pass."

"Bitch I'm paying for this might as well try on what I tell you to," Abby says placing her hand on her hip as she holds the dress in her other hand in front of me.

I roll my eyes, "it's cute don't get me wrong but it's cold out. A shorter dress like that will have me freezing my ass off."

Chloe huffs and leans her shoulder on the wall, "Mandy, it's your birthday week. Who cares about the cold? It's supposed to be fun and your making this so complicated. Now can you please try on the dress and we'll leave you alone if you really don't like it?"

I stand there for another minute before taking the dress from Abby's hands and walking over to the dressing room.

The shit I do for these girls.

I strip off my clothes and slip on the dress. The fabric is cool against my hot skin from my coat and warm attire.

I zip up the back of the dress myself before stepping in front of the mirror.

The dress hugs my soft curves around my hips and breasts nicely. The fabric is a lovely contrast to my brown hair. It's beautiful.

But all that runs through my mind is my mothers voice.

"Don't wear that Amanda. You look like a slut."

"You should really stop eating carbs, Mandy. Their only going to make you bigger."

"If you get fat, not my problem but I don't want to hear you complain to me about it."

I shake the thoughts from my mind and take off the dress.

It would be a waste of money anyway.

"How's it going?" Abby asks from the outside of my dressing room door.

"Good," I say as I shove my clothes back on. "I'm not really feeling it."

Abby looks sad when I open the door, "why?"

"I don't know," I shrug.

She takes the dress from my hands and laces her arm through mine, "is something wrong?"

I shake my head and plaster a sweet smile on my face, "I'm kinda hungry for a pretzel," I say.

"Did someone say pretzel?" Chloe asks, appearing around the corner.

—————————

Abby had to catch a cab to her fundraiser for her 3 hour shift tonight and Chloe had some work to get done so I chose to take a walk around the city.

Landon is busy today and tomorrow but insisted on being able to make it to my birthday celebration this weekend.

I feel like I'm in high school again. No friends to invite to my birthday party.

My phone rings and I close my eyes, already knowing who it is.

I take a deep breath before answering.

"Hi Mom."

"Hi honey. How are you?"

I take another deep breath, "I'm okay, how are you?"

"Fine, fine. Just finishing up some stuff around the house. I wanted to call and check up on you."

She's in a good mood today.

The weight is lifted off of my chest. "I'm doing well. School is going smoothly and I've been exploiting the city a bit."

"Oh nice. Any cute boys?"

I completely freeze.

Boys? Did I hear that correctly?

My mother hated the idea of me dating.

"What do you mean?" I ask carefully. I'm stepping on some serious fucking eggshells with this topic.

"Boys, Amanda. You're in college. You really think I don't understand that you're going to meet and date boys?"

Who the hell is this woman on the phone?

"Mom, have you been taking your meds again?" I ask as I cross the street.

She laughs, "no honey. I'm just curious."

"Well to answer your question, no. No boys," I say.

"What about school? Are you keeping up to date with work?" She asks and I internally roll my eyes.

Here we go.

"Yes Mom," I answer shortly.

"Why are you being so short with me?" she asks.

"I'm not," I respond, my mood is slowly dying out.

She always seems to do this to me. Ruin my perfectly good mood with interrogation.

"Okay, I have to get going but I'll check up on you later this week. Love you."

She hangs up before I can say goodbye.

What just happened?

I release a breath I didn't know I was holding and feel myself crash into someone's chest.

Universe, I fucking hate you.

"You should really watch where your going," a guy says to me.

"I'm sorr-" I begin but recognize the face in front of me. His fucking face in front of me.

My hands curl into fists.

"Are you stalking me?" I ask.

Carter chuckles at the accusation, "stalking you? Are you aware that we live in the same proximity?"

My eyes narrow to slits and I don't respond.

He smirks again, his deep voice drowned out by the traffic around us, "are you sure your not stalking me?"

"Why the hell would I be stalking you?" I ask.

"I'm not sure," he shrugs.

My mood has completely gone to shit.

"Whatever," I say, beginning to walk off.

I feel a soft hand gently grab my own.

"Listen, I know you aren't very fond of me but I really think if you gave me the chance, you may actually like me." His breath is visible in the chilly New York air as he talks and his chocolate hair is blowing slightly in the wind.

Why does he have to be so fucking attractive?

"Why should I? I've only met you..." I pause, "3 times and you've done an excellent job to pissing me off," I smile.

His smile falters but his eyes keep the same gentleness.

Seems as if I hit a nerve.

"You're closed off, I understand that but-"

"I've gotta go," I interrupt him before turning around.

"Mandy, wait," I hear him call and I stop.

"Can I get your number at least?" He asks from behind me.

I'm about to fucking give him my number so he'll leave me alone at this point.

I turn back around, "fine. But if you blow me up, I'm blocking you."

He smiles as he pulls out his phone, "I would never."

I type in my number, each number making me more and more annoyed.

"Thank you," he says, pulling his phone out of my hands.

"Yup."

"See you around?" He smiles again.

I wave a half assed wave and smile a miserable smile before turning around and walking away.

I keep on running into this asshole and it's really starting to piss me off.

Either he's stalking me or we just really seem to like the same places, but either way, it's starting to be a bit weird.

I try to shake off our recent encounter but anxiety consumes me remembering I gave the asshole my number.

Ugh.

I make my way down the street, passing deep dish pizza restaurants, more coffee shops, boutique stores, and unfortunately, some people on the side of the street asking for spare change.

I gave a frail old woman the last of my change and she thanked me. I may be a bitch, but I still have a heart.

I take that back, I'm a bitch when I have to be. Some people need a kick in the ass, and I'm the one person who doesn't mind letting them take it.

And sometimes, it's fun. 

Sometimes, it's just who I am. 

I walk and walk. Letting my legs guide me to wherever it is they want to go.

The sunset over the city is breathtaking. I can't help but take a picture for myself. 

I take a cab back to campus and when I'm there I still feel tired, but more relaxed than I've been in the past few days. 

I'm craving Chinese food. 

God, that sounds so good right now. 

I change out of my outerwear into sweatpants and a NYU hoodie and order my food from a take out place around the corner. Abby shouldn't be back until around 8 p.m. 

Perfect. 

I curl up onto my bed, my curtains are open and displaying natural light. Preparing myself for my Zen mode, I flip to the chapter of my newest book where I last left on. 

A Court of Mist and Fury. Chapter 55. 

And then, my phone dings. 

I ignore the chiming bell tone and look back at my page. 

Ding. 

What the hell?

I attempt to ignore the chime again until I hear it for a third time. Then a fourth.

Who the fuck is texting me?

I nearly smash my phone in my hand when I see a random number and three text messages appearing on my screen. 

Hey beautiful ;)

Miss me?

Ignoring me already?

Answer me or I'll break my promise.

That. annoying. asshole. 

I am extremely tempted to block his number but if I did, he would probably find me and ask for another way to contact me again. 

M: What can I help you with? 

C: You answered me. 

C: I wasn't expecting that.

M: What do you need, Carter?

C: You gave me your number so I'm texting you. 

His smartass responses make me type each letter out with extreme annoyance. 

M: I only gave you my number because you asked for it. I didn't want to give it to you.

C: That is awfully different from other girls who have given me their numbers. 

I roll my eyes. 

M: I'm busy atm and I told you not to blow up my phone. Goodbye. 

C: You can't make time for me? 

M: Bye Carter.

I slam my phone on my desk in frustration and I hear another fucking ding. 

No. I'm not answering. He can chill his balls for 5 seconds. 

5 years sounds better actually.

Maybe 5 millennia's. 

I turn my phone to silent and hop back onto my bed. 

Reading. We're going to read now. And when were done, we'll order some more books.

I take a deep breath and flip my book open.