I scroll mindlessly through social media, constantly looking through posts as minute after minute passes by on the clock. Then I finally put down my phone on the bedside table. I glance back to the alarm clock which reads four-thirty.

I look over to Alisha, she's still asleep.

I nudge her shoulder for her to get up but she doesn't budge, heading over to the bathroom, closing the door and flicking the lights on.

I shift my gaze to the semi dirty mirror and splash water onto my face in order to wake myself up, cracking my knuckles.

I look like shit.

The few hours of sleep I'd managed to get had been of no help since I still appeared to look like a zombie even afterwards.

My own reflection seemed to be foreign as I stared into the mirror a minute longer.

I immediately undressed myself, not allowing myself to think about it more and hopping into the shower.

I turn on the faucet, selecting the shower setting as it starts spewing out water from the top. I put on soap, rubbing it all over my body as the water continues pouring down onto me.

I select the vanilla scented shampoo off my shelf, lathering it on my thick dark brown hair, parting it down the middle.

After a few minutes, I rinse it out.

The water coming from the shower head falls down my face and body as I lifted my chin up, running my hands through my damp hair.

Showers after waking up felt nice, especially since I barely managed to stand without collapsing at the moment.

I turn off the shower, stepping out and wrapping a white robe around my body and a small towel on my head.

I open the door to my room and reach for the hairdryer in one of my drawers, drying my hair out. I look through my closet while doing so.

I'm supposed to be at an important event, so how am I supposed to dress?

They never stated the dress code or anything so I think I'll just pretend I know what I'm supposed to be doing.

Mhm.

While browsing through my dresses, I come across a long brown silk dress with spaghetti straps.

I hold it up to my chest, seeing if it fits right.

It had a small v shaped neckline, falling right above my ankles.

I practically rip it off the hanger in excitement, throwing it beside my dresser. I sit down, looking through my mirror and noticing my eye bags.

I hated them, more than the other features on my face. Not that I liked my other features any better, I would change everything if I had the chance.

I grab my concealer stick, twisting it open, putting some on under my eyes and blending it in using the pad of my ring finger to hide my eye bags.

They looked pretty dark, darker than they looked yesterday.

I overhear someone getting up, and turning to confirm.

Alisha was in fact, awake.

She yawns, throwing her arms up in the air and grunting in pain.

"It's six pm?" She asks.

"No shit, look outside." I advise, stating the obvious.

She tilts her head to the right, looking out the window and sighing. I hear her stand up and sit down beside me as she watches me get ready.

"Going somewhere?"

"You know the company that I design clothes for?" I asked while applying the mascara on my left lashes.

"No."

I sigh, "Theodore Vernice, this huge business man, his company-"

Her eyes light up in realization, "Ah, the guy we saw a few days ago at a bar no? His dad?" She cuts me off.

"Yeah, exactly. Vernice Industries."

"Mmm." She hums, quickly looking at herself in the mirror and running her fingers through her hair. She grabs my lipgloss, putting some on and throwing it to me, which I barely manage to catch.

"Are you feeling better?" She asks out of curiosity, referring to what happened at the bar a couple days prior. She looks at me with a sense of uncertainty in her eyes.

"I'm completely fine, I'm just tired."

"You sure?" She questions again, I nod in response reassuring her. "Yeah."

"Okay then, I have to go now! I'll pick you up." She says while hugging me from behind and walking out the door.

I smile slightly in amusement, continuing to do my makeup. After putting on the blush, I set it down and my phone begins to buzz.

They emailed me the address.

Apparently, it's at this restaurant and it's booked for a few hours.

Really didn't want to come, but here we are.

I couldn't just say no, that wouldn't exactly be respectful and it's only one day so it isn't much of a big deal. If I said no then they probably would've been disappointed in me, and I would've felt bad.

I take off my robe, slipping on the silk gown.

It fits alright, I probably shouldn't stare at myself in it too much or I'll think about changing again.

I got it a few years ago while thrifting, never wore it because I didn't know where to wear it. I'm glad that I didn't throw it out now.

I put on some clear lipgloss, throwing on some darker brown eyeliner and tying my hair into a low bun in an attempt to look less dead.

Taking out a couple strands at the front, I layer a couple of gold bracelets on my right wrist that covered them enough so my scars wouldn't show.

After calling an uber, I slip on a pair of brown heels and a brown purse on my shoulder that coincidentally matched with the dress I had on.

I stand outside my building, waiting for the uber to come.

Should've taken a bus.

I check my phone again, it buzzes. The guy who seemingly looks like he might be the uber driver pulls up in front of me as I open the car door to get inside.

"Oh, are you—" I stared at my phone for a response, "Marco?" I questioned, reading off the information details of my phone.

He nods in response, asking for the address of the location. I punch it into his phone and the car starts moving.

I look out the window, noticing the palm trees lined with white fairy lights around the leaves.

Traffic, surprisingly, wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. I mean, it was still pretty crowded but not that crowded for Los Angeles.

The car ride was silent, I didn't want to speak to the driver and I'm pretty sure he didn't either. It was really fucking awkward but it was better than interacting with him.

Interacting with people I rarely knew wasn't exactly easy, especially when trying to seem like I enjoyed talking to them.

Before I know it, we get there and pay him as he drives off the side.

I pull up my strap as it started to fall down. I attempt to knock on the door, but then a security guard blocks it while he stops me, requesting to see my invite.

I show him and he lets me go through the entrance, surrounded with artificial flowers.

As soon as I step in I notice the edges of the high ceilings were molded with flower designs at the top and painted in a rose gold tone.

Crystal centerpieces in the middle of the room and an extravagant water fountain behind the red velvet curtains.

There was also a second floor but it was blocked off with a sign that said "do not enter" for some odd reason. Multiple tables scattered across the room and a small bar off to the side of the wide room.

I made my way to the table where Mr. Vernice sat, waving to him as I walked there. I shake his hand while he signals me to sit.

I sat next to him, greeting the others at the table. Most of the seats were filled except one. In front of each chair there'd been a few plates, utensils beside them and neatly folded napkins on them.

He introduced me to everyone around the large table, which definitely took a few minutes.

He explained to me about the new line and how he'd like me to help, I happily agreed since it's my job and he continued to explain to me how everything is supposed to be.

A waitress comes our way, bringing a few plates of pasta and setting them down in front of everyone. She walks off immediately in a rush to another table.

I bring my plate toward me, grabbing the fork beside me and picking a piece of pasta up. I toss one in my mouth, chewing it slowly as Mr. Vernice spoke.

I didn't really pay attention to what he was saying because it wasn't at all that important.

This seemed more of a meeting than a chill dinner that I'd expected.

I took out my phone, checking my notifications. Most of them were texts from Alisha.

I read her most recent text and smiled a little, suppressing it immediately so no one around me noticed.

I quickly snap a photo of the venue, sending it to her.

I continued texting Alisha, sending her photos of the venue and telling her about how it was so far. I kind of wish she came, it's not like she could but maybe if she was here then it would've been less awkward.

It was boring nonetheless, the only reason I was here because it was a mere formality.

Noticing it would be rude, I leave the table, apologizing to the people at the table and step over to the counter by the bar to receive a call by an unknown number.

I bring my phone to my ear after receiving the call, listening for someone to speak but instead hear a beep and the call cuts.

Weird.

I put it down, texting back a couple people from the few notifications I'd received and without knowing I sit at the bar.

My legs spread slightly, the distance between them becoming smaller as I sense someone else sit right by me.

I look up from my phone to be met with quite familiar eyes, blinking another time to make sure I wasn't just seeing things.

i've rewritten this a few times because, one i didn't want to rush it at all and turn out terribly and two i started school recently and it's been quite stressful.

this chapter is quite boring but it gets better i promise !!!

this is what i picture her dress to look like

i love you

-s