I chuckled as I recalled something funny that Rue had said. It's been over a month since I've enrolled here. Everything has been going well. Alicia had stuck to her word and walked me to the lunch room everyday. You'd think that people would have gotten used to the fact that she talked to me, but no. We still got the occasional stares from onlookers. Alicia had asked me to attend her tennis match, so here I was in the stands. I knew she was good from watching her practice, but didn't realize that she was THIS good. The stadium was packed with about 20,000 people.

"Hello." I looked to my left to see Astrid and Yasmine. The duo had become friendlier to me over the last couple of weeks. They even went as far to introduce themselves to me and give me a tour of the campus (the restricted parts).

"Hey." I smiled as Astrid sat down next to me.

"First time being court side?" Yasmine leaned over Astrid.

"First time at a tennis match, so yes."

"What about any other sport? Like basketball." I shook my head at Astrid.

"Well, you're in for a real treat. Alicia is up against another top player. Her stats rival Alicia's, but Alicia won't lose."

"How come you say that so confidently?"

"Because you're here." Yasmine stated before turning to the front. I was about to ask her to clarify, but the players walked out. Alicia waved at me and I excitedly waved back. "She never waves. There's a first for everything it seems." I think I'm gonna have a hard time focusing on the actual match because she looks so cute in her outfit. She was wearing a light blue Nike dress. I assume she won the toss since she's lined up to serve first. She bounced the ball a few times before throwing it up... and whipping it past her opponent. The next serve, the opponent's racket connected with it, but she didn't return it. Alicia subtly shook her fist in celebration.

X

The game was now tied. The points kept oscillating between advantage and deuce.

"Her opponent is really good." I offhandedly commented.

"I'd expect that since this is the finals."

"Finals?"

"Yeah. Whoever wins is the best in America." Astrid explained. Well, damn. I didn't realize that Alicia was THAT good. "Ahhhh!" Alicia let out a grunt as she blocked her opponent's match winning shot. Her opponent returned it and Alicia raced to the net and half volleyed the ball over the net. The girl was too far away to make it in time. I clapped as Alicia got the advantage. The girl served and Alicia skillfully returned it. They kept hitting it back and forth until the girl made a mistake and hit it high up in the air. Time seemed to slow as Alicia lined her left hand up with the ball and used her right arm to bring the racket down and deliver a drop shot. The girl's racket missed the ball by an inch, allowing Alicia to win. Alicia punched the air in victory. We all erupted in cheers. I waved at her when we made eye contact. A genuine smile graced her face as she ran over to us. She enveloped me in a tight hug.

"You did amazing." I whispered into her ear as I hugged her back.

"Thanks." She released her hold on me.

"Ali!" Astrid said and brought her into a hug. Yasmine soon joined their group hug. I smiled as I watched the trio. "Hey! You too!" Astrid yanked me into their group hug.

"Go get your trophy." I pushed her back towards the court.

"Yes, ma'am." She bowed before jogging back to the court. I was looking around the event and smiling. My smile faded when I saw an older man looking down at me from the luxury seats. He was wearing a blue suit. His hair was short and salt and peppered. My suspicions were confirmed about who he was when I saw Tamsin hanging onto his arm. Their intimidating stares were enough to cause me to turn around.

"She's coming shopping with us right?" Astrid asked.

"Of course she is." Yasmine proceeded to grab my right arm while Astrid took my left arm.

"Umm... don't you wanna wait for Alicia?" I questioned.

"Nope." Astrid popped the 'p.' "She's gonna be doing a ton of interviews and I doubt you wanna go shopping with Tammi." She flicked her head up towards Tamsin.

"Yeah... I'd rather go with you two."

"Perf!" Astrid exclaimed before the dynamic duo led me away.

X

Yasmine and Astrid dragged me into different stores along Fifth Avenue. We went into so many luxury stores that I don't even remember which one I'm at. Astrid ran towards the jewelry while Yasmine instructed the designers to find me a "lovely evening outfit." The designers wasted no time and shoved piles of clothes into my hands. They then pushed me into the dressing room to change. After each outfit change, I had to exit the room and model it for Astrid and Yasmine. Yasmine would simply shake her head no while Astrid would ask for the outfits in her size. The process seemed endless and I was about to end their fun. I tried on the last outfit to be polite and expected the dismissive tone of Yasmine, but she just stared at me when I exited the room. I started shifting since I was uncomfortable under her intense stare. She brought her pointer finger to her chin and tapped it.

"Not bad." She whispered. Yasmine then snapped her fingers which meant that we would be getting it? I was about to ask how I was supposed to pay for this, but she suddenly pulled out a black card and handed it to the clerk. I opened my mouth to protest, but Astrid pulled me out of the store. She dragged me into a salon. Astrid spoke to the salon owner in... Vietnamese? We were then led to a private room where I was thrust into a chair, courtesy of Astrid. The hairdresser then started to work on my hair.

"I don't wanna cut it." I rushed out.

"Nah. No cut. Just style." He excitedly stated. Astrid just giggled in response. She then picked up a magazine and sat down. He must've taken a while because by the time he was finished, Astrid had a bag in her hand. She must've gone shopping to pass the time. Yasmine soon walked in with a bag and a carrying jacket. The dress she bought me must be in the jacket. I wonder what's in her and Astrid's bags. "What you think?" The man directed my attention at the mirror. I gasped in surprise. He styled it in a gorgeous knotted updo.

"Pretty." Astrid rested her chin on my shoulder. "Think these will accentuate your eyes." She smiled before placing long silver earrings into my ears. "Now put this on." She shoved the carrying jacket into my arms. I looked at her confused, but complied after seeing Yasmine's commanding stare. The hairdresser guided me into the bathroom. I sighed before dressing into the purple dress. I will admit that it was absolutely beautiful. I then opened the box to find silver heels. I strapped those on before exiting. The entire salon staff looked at me and gasped. Do I really look that bad? "You look beautiful!" Astrid clasped her hands together and smiled. Yasmine and Astrid worked together to apply my makeup. "Just to define your lips a little more." She applied red lipstick. "Done!"

"Let's go." Yasmine paid with the same card and led us to a Range Rover waiting outside. "Time?"

"20 minutes!" Astrid enthusiastically answered.

"You got that?" She asked the driver who nodded in response. I know there's a stereotype about New York drivers, but I hate to say that the stereotype is true. He cut through traffic and I swear we almost crashed twice. Surprisingly though, he was able to make it to wherever we were going in the allotted time. He stopped the car and opened the door. The three of us got out and Astrid and Yasmine grabbed my arms. They directed me towards a helicopter pad?

"Enjoy your date!" Astrid wished me luck.

"What date?" I was confused.

"Oh. Whoops." Astrid sheepishly blushed. Yasmine rolled her eyes and grabbed Astrid's arm to lead her back to the car.

"Wait! Where are you guys going?!" I shouted, but was met with waves.

"Seems like they've abandoned you. Fake friends I'd say." I smirked and turned around to see Alicia with a smirk on her face.

"How ever will I survive?" I faked concern.

"Come on." She smiled and extended her hand towards me. I clutched it and she led me to the helicopter. She opened the passenger door and shut it once I was inside. She then took the seat next to me.

"You're piloting this?" My eyes widened.

"Trust me." She smirked before starting the chopper up. Alicia flew the chopper around the city so I was able to observe the New York City skyline. Alicia pointed out different buildings and gave me a brief history about New York. She circled the Statue of Liberty twice, much to my request. After flying for an hour, Alicia descended the helicopter onto the pad. As if it was planned, a dinner cruise boat was passing by the helicopter pad. Alicia entwined our fingers and led me towards the boat. The deckhand positioned a makeshift bridge for us to board the boat. The stewardess directed us past diners to our seats. I smiled as Alicia sat across from me.