If I could do it all over again.

It's Friday, but for you, it makes no difference. All days feel the same, with university and work overlapping each other in a big pile of responsibilities. After another hard day of work, you just want to take a shower, eat something and die in your bed. You just finished your evening shift at the local bar. The smell of alcohol is lingering on your clothes, along with some awful comments, repeating in your head, coming from drunk customers. It's slightly better than minimum wage, but at what cost. The bar shift is from 6pm to at least 2 am, all depending on the day. Your back is tight, legs are going up to your ass with how much you have to move around. Sticky skin from all the spilled alcohol is your least favourite thing. All the loud music always gives you a headache, so at this point it's a normal state of being. Even without trying, you can feel how much you stink. Sweaty, tired and from today additional cuts on your hand made by really unhappy customers. The glass from the broken bottle would be a pain in your ass for the next 2 weeks. The glass always lingers around for a long time, providing an additional scary crunch under your shoes. You open the front door and hear your roommates' screams. All 4 of you are friends and get together really well, you just can't find the energy to deal with them right now.

Maria is the first one you can hear.

"God why?"

"You are being so dramatic, bitch." As per usual, it's Darcy who speaks the truth, being, as you often think, the only logical person in this house, except for you, obviously.

"Do you know who will be there!!!! Fucking Artic monkeys, Clario, Dua Lipa are you fucking kidding me!?! How can I not be dramatic?" That gives you some kind of insight into what the drama is about. By Maria’s tone you can hear how irritated she is, and you don't even need to look at her

You put your bag down with a thud. Just then, you can feel how the strap was digging into your arm because of how heavy it is. Taking a little step back you almost fall down, tripped by Maria's high- actually, unnaturally high heels. You know that it's her new work addition and some of her followers are paying for her wishlist gifts, but next time the entryway is going to be trashed like that, you are going to throw your roommates stuff right into their rooms. Your coat is off, and you feel like you can finally relax and calm down. Your clothing is squeezing you too hard and everything feels like it should have been washed a long time ago. 

Going through the hallway, you notice that Maria had to clean her room because you can actually see a part of the floor. The nicely made bed and camera set up with all the lighting are enough signs for you to know that she will be working today. It's Friday, so she has her special live session. She actually raises a good amount of money from her “performer” job. Who are you to judge, though? 

Darcy also has her door open, and so does Katie. You like the open doors policy, even if you are the only one to break it. Girls can be loud and they know it. Also, you have a nice incense smell that not everybody is fond of, so keeping your door closed is actually needed sometimes. Not to mention the peace you get with it. 

Darcy's room is really welcoming. The boho style mixed with a folklore aesthetic makes it homey, welcoming and really soft to the touch, literally. Blankets, pillows, even the carpet look like a cloud or a nice fur that you want to get lost in. Nothing beats it, maybe that's why you go there when you need to decompress, or maybe it's just Darcy. 

Kate is the most collected of you all, at least from the first look. Room always tidy, clothes set into nice little cubes, always ironed, taken care of, smelling nice, just the perfect girl. You just hate the fact that it's all a trauma response to all the times she was living with her mother. Moving into the apartment with all of you was the best decision she could make. Now the last part is cutting toxic people out of her life and starting the healing process, you wish it was that easy. If only all the trophies, all the achievements, would level years of neglect and manipulation. You know why she keeps them displayed, she thinks her worth comes only from them. One of the breaking moments was right after moving in. The two of you got close really fast, so as a good friend you helped her burn all the competition certificates. It's funny how a little fire in a nasty barrel, in a dirty, forgotten by god alley, could be so cleansing. You didn't even realize you stopped for a second in front of her purple room. You can tell she isn't home yet because of the little sweet treat you left on her weirdly low bed. It's been two days, and you know she is safe, you've been texting, but you miss her home.  

You move further down the house and watch them counting money on the floor. You enter the big living room filled with leather couches, flat screen TV, high ceiling, basically everything over the top. It's connected to the kitchen with an island in the middle, Greek style with golden accents makes the space feel too cold for your liking. Every single one of you has a separate room and there are 2 bathrooms with everything your heart might desire. Cleaning staff comes once a week and the building has its own security, along with an underground garage and a full gym in the basement. Thanks to Darcy's sugar mommy you can all taste a bit of her richness and enjoy a really low rent.

You interrupt the money counting, announcing your presence. 

"Hey guys, what's going on?"

Maria looks up at you immediately, leaving the task.

"Darcy is making fun of me because I want to go to a festival, but I can't fucking afford it,’’ she grumbles, turning to Darcy, ‘’not everybody has a sugar mommy like you" she punctuates her sentence with a punch to the arm of the girl beside her.

"Okay, okay, calm down, I'm trying to help. How short are you?"

"Couple of hundred… I'll never go there. At this point, I'm going to plaster my pussy on a fucking side walk for some loose change.’’

You can't help but start laughing at the picture in front of you.

"Okay, that was a bit dramatic.’’

"Well get yourself a sugar mommy like me, problem solved"

"Or a job?’’ You jump in, giving a penny of your thoughts, leaning against the door frame. You are basically the only one in the house earning money by working a full time job, dealing with the university and any extra job you can find, at the same time.

The girls have more luck with their careers. Well, Darcy doesn't work, she studies in the best private science school. All the projects she's attending are fascinating, so you are really excited when she comes back home with new “the more you know’s.’’ Just this year, she decided to move more into the medicine field, working on alternative ways of different types of therapies for different kinds of sicknesses. 

Maria can’t seem to hold onto a stable job, honestly is not really her style, but she makes a living. It's not too much, but enough to go through. Sometimes she has shifts as a waitress, or she babysits for the kids in your apartment complex. Everyone around seems to like her, which is not surprising because it's really hard not to.

Kate works for her mother’s security company and only if you could, you would pay for her living, so she doesn't have to deal with her ever again. Plans of giving the company to Kate are clear by the way her mother is treating her. She is doing amazingly at her work and at the school in which she got a full scholarship, but you see every day how much it cost her. 

Maria's face lights up at the idea you both provide. 

"Wait, wait, that's actually a good idea. I mean the sugar mommy, not work. Darcy, can you ask yours if she knows anybody who is currently looking for someone? I'm not really sure how it works, but what does it hurt to try?"

"I quit, love you both, but I'm exhausted, and I don't have energy for that. I'm getting a shower." As you walk away, you can hear Darcy shout after you.

"I can find you one too! Maybe then you will have some social life, you workaholic freak!! Also, I left you some matcha latte in your room and some Chinese food!"

"Yeah, yeah, I love you too! Thanks!" You might be too straight forward with them sometimes, but you never had a family like that. People that actually support you and try to understand you, just because they think you are worth it. You had to start your adult life pretty early, moving out at the age of 16 wasn't an easy decision, but it was the best thing you could have done for your mental health. Having them makes your heart swell, but for now the bed is your best friend.

You take a shower and go to your room, even if you did not light up any incense today, your whole room smells like patchouli, and you wouldn't want it any other way. The first thing you do, which is second nature by now, is lighting up three candles and unpacking your bag. Your sticky clothes are discarded into the laundry basket, all the electronic devices are nicely plugged in to recharge and following you have to recharge too. You watch some Golden girls with Chinese and your comfort drink. You don't even make it past the first 10 minutes, falling sound asleep in the comfort of your sheets, too exhausted to take anything more out of the day. The rest is much needed and with the early morning you have to fall asleep fast. 

5:47 first alarm, 6:02 second one, 6:17 is the third one, and you know that if you won't get up now someone will make you get up. You had to change the sound to a lower volume and put the vibration on because the girls made fun of you. Not because of the sounds, but because of the weird timing of them. Your explanation about trying to trick your mind counted for nothing, so you accepted all the jokes and embraced them as a weird, fun fact about you. 

You get out of the comfort of your sheets, and are immediately met with cold air. Collecting the essentials for your gym session takes you about five minutes, every single thing in your room has its own space and place. With the amount of work you have to do and the amount of responsibilities you have, organizing your life in every single aspect you can control is a must-do.

Your clothes are prepared by the order of putting them on. Hoodie at the bottom and underwear on the top. All the bags are nicely packed, lying next to each other on the floor, right next to two pairs of shoes. One for training and one for work. The second pair is a bit more elegant, but not too fancy. Not to mention all the jewellery that waits to be put on.  Sometimes, you wonder how weird that has to be when you look at it from an outside perspective.  

You go through the living room to grab your water bottle and go out to the basement for your training session. When you open the door, you are met with someone falling onto you. You catch them and see that it's Kate stumbling into your shared apartment.

"Jesus, you scared me," she says with wide eyes as soon as she regains her balance.

"But I saved you, sweetie" 

Right from the start, you and Kate have had these kinds of sweet interactions. She treats you kind of like an older sister, and you really don't mind it. The first time you laid your eyes on her, you immediately felt protective over her, like she’s a little lost puppy.

"You spent the night out?" You question her. Her eyes are barely open, hair messy and usually nicely put together clothes are creased. Honestly, she looks like hell. You don't try to interrogate her. You only care about her health and safety, and she knows it. 

"Yeah, my mother needed me to look for some documents in the company, we literally just finished, I just want to sleep.'' She lays her head on your shoulder, and you can't help but scoop her into your arms.

"Go to sleep, rest. Do you need me to wake you up later? I can call you at any time you need me to." You feel her shaking her head in the crook of your neck while you hold her.

"Okay, I'm going to the gym. I'm going to check up on you later, hun. Shower and go to sleep." You kiss her head and she hums in acknowledgment.

"It's 6am, y/n. You are sick." You chuckle as you see her retreating to her room, and you go out to start your day.

Training is rather fast, an hour of lifting and half an hour of boxing is more than enough to wake you up, even if you sleep so little.

You don't have too much time in the morning to do exactly what you would like. You tried a lot of different ways of training. Heavy lifting, martial arts, running- that was definitely the worst- but all the tries allowed you to put together a really nice plan that gives you all you need. Warm-up, stretching and rolling at the beginning makes you feel fully connected to your body. Heavy lifting keeps you strong and gives you a high boost of confidence. Boxing is a perfect outlet for all your emotions and keeps you in check making sure that whatever would happen you can take care of yourself and people around you. 

Quick shower, change of clothes, and you are just on time for your bus at 8:25. Half an hour drive to your work gives you 5 minutes to eat some breakfast on the go. Right before the bus stop is a nice bakery, the worker knows you really well and since you always take the same thing it awaits for you to buy, perfectly timing it with your bus. The bus driver is always the same, few passengers usually welcome you with a nod, which you reciprocate. They are mostly chatty but since it's so dark in the mornings, during this time of the year, nobody has an actual interest in being more alive than they have to. Dark streets wouldn't be so welcoming if they weren't so busy. No matter the time of the year, people have places to be and things to do. At least that's what all of you can relate to. 

You enter the office, and you are met with hellos and friendly but tired faces of your co-workers. You are at the bottom of the chain, so all the dirty work is going to you. Editing, going through the list of things to publish, or picking up the pictures for some new cosmetic trend of the week. In the male dominant field, you rarely get any word in actual decisions. You are just the one to recycle the trash. As much as you love what you do, you picture your future job and life a little differently. You are not exactly sure how, definitely not like that.

Halfway into your 8-hour shift, you got flooded with messages. You see all of your friends texting something in the group chat, and you got two missed calls from Darcy. You open the chat and the first thing you see is an anti-horny spray meme, which is not surprising in any way. Honestly, you don’t think they could live without talking about sex for half an hour. Instead of reading 150 missed messages, you decide to call Darcy back during your dinner break, which is in 10 minutes.

The food court is pretty quiet today, so you don’t have to worry about finding a private place. You grab some shoarma and call Darcy back, she picks up after the first signal.

"Hey, what’s u-" she cuts you off as fast as she hears your voice.

"You have a free day today, right?"

"Yeah? I mean, I finish work at 5pm, and then I'm free. It's my only day this week without the shift in the bar, Darcy.”  You remind her with a stern voice, feeling that she has something to say, and you are not going to like it.

"Okay, don't hate me." You already do. "I got a date for Maria and I need you to go with her."

"Why? Why me? She doesn't need a babysitter!" Darcy is your best friend, you won't say no to her, so the question comes out as a whine.

"She’s meeting someone, but I don't know them really well, and I would rather be safe than sorry, and you are so strong, and so tough, and so caring, and so amazing, and..."

"Okay, okay, God. Stop, I'm eating, I'm going to throw up. I'm going to do it, just stop." You can hear the laughter in her voice.

"That's my girl."

"When?" Annoyed is not enough to describe how you feel. You roll your eyes but agree to help. After Darcy gives you all the details about the date, you go back to work.

At the same time, the atmosphere in the house is rather stressful.

"What did she say?" Maria asks nervously.

"It’s y/n, what do you think she said?" Darcy comments with a knowing smirk, but there is no malice behind it.

"Alright, they agreed to meet me at the café downtown, right?'' Maria says anxiously, picking at the skin around her nails. Darcy bats her hand away with a roll of her eyes, ''Yes, they’re going to meet you there at 17:30. So that means we only have a few hours to get you dolled up.''

''Who’s getting dolled up?'' A sleepy voice calls out from behind them. The two friends turn to see Kate standing in the open doorway, still in her pyjamas, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

''Maria is,'' Darcy says with a self-satisfied smile.

''Wow, wow, wow. Hey, Darce, I didn’t agree to that.'' Maria says, holding her hands up in front of herself as if Darcy is about to jump her and force her into a pink, frilly frock.

''Ohhh! Yes! It’s been ages since we got to do a makeover.'' Kate says enthusiastically, clapping her hands together,

''Come on Maria!! We’ll make you look so pretty.'' Maria raises an eyebrow at her friends,

''I already am pretty, I don’t need to change anything.'' Darcy pulls a face, pushing her bottom lip out and using her best puppy eyes,

''come on, Mary, you never let me give you a makeover.'' Kate bounds over to join Darcy, clasping her hands together, begging Maria to let them be in control of her outfit today.

''Alright, fine!'' Maria finally concedes, annoyed but still amused at her friends’ efforts.

''But I won’t wear anything sparkly, got it?''

***

''I look like a disco ball.''

''You say that like it’s a bad thing!'' Darcy says affronted. Kate nods in agreement, ''you’re the prettiest disco ball I’ve ever seen.''

Maria stands in the middle of Darcy’s room, wearing a mini camisole dress that makes her glitter and shine from every angle. The dress really is stunning, but Maria is clearly uncomfortable, and even though her two friends think she looks gorgeous, they both know they only made her wear it to tease her a bit.

''Put me in something actually decent, or so help me God.''

''Okay, okay! I’m sorry,'' Darcy laughs, not sounding sorry in the slightest. She bounds over to her open wardrobe to put together a proper outfit. Kate is sitting cross-legged on the floor, with Darcy’s jewellery box in her lap, picking through all the different earrings.

''It’s too cold for that dress anyway,'' she says,

''you need something that’ll actually keep you warm.''

''Thank you!'' Maria says, exasperated, as she pulls the dress over her head and throws it in the general direction of the washing basket.

''I might be desperate, but they don’t have to know that.''

''Alright, I’ve got something warm for you,'' Darcy says triumphantly, brandishing three thick garments. Two of them are white, and one is soft pink. When Maria spots them, her eyes go wide.

''I am NOT wearing pink.'' Kate snorts, but Darcy doesn’t pay her any mind, instead, she just pushes the clothes into Maria’s hands.''Oh, you’re sooo not like other girls.'' Feeling slightly guilty about her outburst, Maria cocks her head, ''Darce, that’s not what I-''

''Don’t bother, just put it on,'' Darcy interjects, ''that’s how you can make it up to me.'' 

Maria knows how to recognize defeat when she sees it, so she swallows her pride and dresses in soft cashmere and swishy tulle. Kate rushes over with golden earrings and a dainty gold necklace in the shape of a bee.

''I hate it.''

''You look cute!''

''I look like cotton candy.''

''She’s got a point, Darce,'' Kate says, making eye contact with her through the mirror. Darcy’s face is scrunched up in concentration, appraising Maria’s looks in the mirror.

''She looks beautiful, but just the skirt is off, it’s not her style.'' Maria turns her head to glare down at her, ''you know, if you just listened to me in the first place, this step wouldn’t have been necessary at all.''

‘’Darling, if we listened to you in the first place, you would be meeting them looking like you’re going to your least favourite aunt’s funeral.’’ Darcy mutters as she turns her back on her friends, sifting through the tightly packed clothes in her wardrobe. Kate helps Maria to strip off the pink tulle, while Darcy digs deep into her wardrobe, reaching so far into it her whole arm is swallowed by the mountain of clothing. Finally, she pulls out something dark, with a hint of glittering gold at the top. 

‘’This is the best I can do, and you’re legally not allowed to be mean about this because I actually tried to find something you’d like.’’ 

Darcy pushes the trousers into Maria’s hands and flops onto her bed to await the results of her handiwork. The sleek black trousers with their wide legs show off Maria’s stunning figure, pulling her in at the waist and flaring out at the bottom. The pockets are embellished with three golden buttons each, that glimmer and glitter when the light catches them. 

‘’These are so nice, how come I’ve never seen you wear them before?’’ Maria asks, astonished, as she takes in her reflection in the mirror. Darcy shrugs, ‘’I haven’t worn half of what’s in here, you can keep those if you want, from the looks of it they won’t fit me right, anyway.’’ 

‘’I’m sorry I was so crabby about the outfits before, I just really want to look like myself when I meet them. I don’t want them to think I’m someone I’m not.’’ Maria admits sheepishly, running the pads of her fingers over the golden buttons. 

‘’Darcy,’’ Kate says solemnly, ‘’apologize to Maria for making her wear those outfits you knew she wouldn’t like.’’ Darcy pulls a face, and opens her mouth to argue, but Kate holds up her phone in a threatening gesture, ‘’if you don’t tell her you’re sorry, I swear I’ll tell on you to Carol, and she’ll make you sorry.’’ 

Holding her hands up in defeat, Darcy turns to Maria, ‘’alright, I’m sorry, I know that wasn’t nice, but you know I just like teasing you.’’

Maria playfully pushes the tulle skirt into Darcy’s open arms, ‘’you’re forgiven, brat. I don’t know how Carol puts up with that, honestly.’’

After the group hug, demanded by Kate, Maria’s two personal fashion designers finish off her look with an elegant pair of high heels, and a long woollen coat in a soft cream colour. They watch from the windows of their apartment as their friend rushes out of the door and in to the Uber waiting for her (paid with Carol’s credit card, of course), ready to meet her date. 

Darcy shares everything she has. Ordering food for all of them, inviting them with no cost to every single trip she plans with Carol, buying the most expensive gifts for each birthday, holiday or actually any occasion that she can find. Carol gives her so much love and happiness, and she wants nothing more than to share it with her closest people and if that means that she will be happy, her mommy is willing to do anything for her. 

The sound of Darcy’s phone ringing echoes through the living room, and startles her and Kate away from their position in front of the window overlooking Maria’s Uber. Darcy jumps up, walking over to the table where her phone is laying. ‘’I bet it’s y/n calling to wiggle her way out of this, give me a sec.’’ 

Once she’s alone in her bedroom, she presses the green answer button, and slides the phone in between her ear and shoulder. "No y/n, you can't get out of this!" Being sure you just changed your mind, she didn't even bother to look at who's calling.

"Out of what, my sweet girl?" Carol's voice is soft, soothing, always full of care and so so so hot. Goosebumps all over Darcy's body are a natural response at this point. 

"Hi daddy. I asked y/n to be Maria's wing woman. You know, just in case anything goes wrong." She throws herself on the couch, hugging the pillow closely, losing herself in her favourite voice. 

"Mhm." A deep sound of acknowledgement comes from the other side of the phone call.

"Do you think it's a good idea?" Darcy knows better than to interrupt and waits for Carol to continue.

"I told you before, and I'm going to tell you once again. Maria is really sweet, but i know my friends and y/n is on point their type. Maybe you should send somebody else as a wing woman? I think you might be taking all the chances away from Hill."

"I know, but I have a good feeling about this. Please trust me in this." She masters the sweetest, most innocent voice that she has, and it definitely works on Carol. 

"You know I am, baby. Want me to pick you up for dinner?"

"Yes please." With that, Darcy clambers off her bed, ready to pick out an outfit for her own date night. 

***

Five more minutes, and you're going to be free from work. Fast dinner at Diego's, literally the best sandwich place in between your work and home. You have been craving a sandwich with brie cheese, sweet honey, cucumber and walnut dressing. There is nothing better than that in this world, you are sure of it. It looks sketchy, from the outside and on the inside also. But it keeps all the “I'm too fancy to eat here” people away from the place. Which means no lines, which means a few loyal clients like yourself. They know your order by heart and that makes you feel sort of special. 

You have to change your clothes at home if you have the time, and then meet up with Maria in front of the café she gave you the address of. It's in a more downtown secure area, which is good, means less people. You also have some uni stuff, so you hope for a calm lookout for Maria while writing an important paper for your literature professor. He is a dick, but also has the power to fail you. Your bad relationship with him is not helping you at all. That reminds you of the essay deadline for a high school student on pride and prejudice that you have to write for tomorrow. Fortunately, you always have a back-up. Saving up all the work you've ever done pays off, literally. Sometimes when you don't have time to make something original, you dust off your old essays, polish it up a little bit and send it to a student for a fair amount of money. They don't need to know that it's microwaved work, and you’re not planning on telling them. Depending on the amount of money they’re paying you, you either send them a sophomore paper or a senior one. Money equals quality. The faster people understand that in life, the better. 

That's why you get a free day from your work at the bar, to pick up a little bit of work from your freelance jobs. To say your life stresses you out, is an understatement. But it is what it is, you can either cry about it or make the best of it. The choice is obvious.

With this stream of thought, walking to the café feels like only five minutes. You decide against going back home because there is no chance of making it on time, so the suit from work will have to be enough to show yourself in public.

"Y/N!!!" A sudden scream makes you look up from your phone, on which Google Maps is open on the café’s address. Maria’s little run into your direction always makes you laugh. Her short hair is curled prettily around her face, bouncing as she runs towards you. She’s wearing clothes you’ve never seen her in before, probably Darcy’s handiwork, but she looks absolutely stunning. She looks mature and self-assured, and even though you’ve always known her to be this way, it’s especially apparent now. She does look a little bit nervous, but her radiant smile distracts from all of that. The tight, white turtleneck hugs her like a second skin, and the flared trousers accentuate her waist perfectly. Glimmers of gold can be seen behind her hair, and a matching necklace bounces against her chest. It’s all pulled together so perfectly, there’s no other way about it, Maria looks simply classy.

‘’Wow,’’ you exclaim when she finally reaches you, "she’s going to love you". You are her wing woman, after all.

She enters the café first, and you decide to wait for five minutes before entering, just in case you’re seen going in together. You’re there to be a shadow and make sure she is safe. You don't want to be drawing attention to yourself.

"I think it's here." A soft voice pulls your attention away from your phone, and you notice two amazing, beautiful, well-dressed women walking up behind you. They both look to be in their 40s, maybe late 30s, they have a clean look, dress and a suit, perfect green eyes, the both of them. That's all you notice before they disappear inside the café. For a second you think that one of them noticed you too, but you figure you probably imagined it, so you think nothing of that. You wait a few more seconds before heading into the café yourself and taking a seat at a window table.

It's not a perfect spot, but you have already put your bags down. Moving now, getting up and stopping the unpacking would be at the very least awkward, and also suspicious. So you decide this will have to do. The seat is far enough to not draw attention to you, but it has an amazing view of the whole place, and most importantly a good view of Maria. You sit down, take your laptop out, and as soon as you see someone sitting down at your friend's table, a waitress obstructs your view.

"Hi, what can I get for you?"

"Hi, can I get something strong? A cold Brew with an extra shot?"

"Of course, I will be right back with your order."

She smiles and walks away, leaving you alone with your work. You turn slightly to have a better view of your friend, and to your surprise you see her sitting with not one but two people! Kind of in shock, you do a double check to see if it is safe to look, and you catch one of the women staring back at you. It's one of the ladies that you saw in front of the café. Feeling like you’ve just been caught, you hastily turn around again, just in time to see the waitress heading your way with your coffee.

"Here you go, a cold brew with an extra shot. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No, that will be all, thank you. How much do I owe you?"

"It's been taken care of, miss,’’ she says, pointing in the direction of Maria’s table, ‘’enjoy your coffee." With that, she leaves you a little confused and still embarrassed for being caught. It's so nice of Maria to take care of your drink for you, it's the least she can do after making you waste your day on this. Seeing that everything seems to be going alright with the date, you bury yourself with work, trying to get as much of it done as you possibly can. 

You don't know how much time has passed, but at some point you feel a tap on your shoulder. Taking out your headphones, you see your friend smiling and telling you that you can go. You collect your things and decide that Maria will tell all about the date after getting back to the apartment, where the girls are impatiently waiting.

The transition from the toasty warmth of the café to the frigid cold outdoors sends a shiver down your spine. You had to have been there for at least 2 hours, judging by the dark sky. You didn't even realize that it started raining, but a few soft droplets of water fall on your face right after exiting the café. You link arms with Maria and assure her that you ordered an Uber for the two of you. While walking up the street, casually chatting with Maria, you notice from the corner of your eye the two women from earlier getting into a cab.

The same women that took your friend on a date are now drilling their eyes into you. You feel hot all over your body with the way they watch you. But maybe that’s just the physical contact you have with Maria right now? It's possible, and for a second you feel slightly intimidated and even think about letting go of Maria, but you decide against it. Not wanting them to over power you, you look straight into their eyes, jumping from one to another. The shorter redhead, wearing a nice green dress, disappears into the cab. You’re pretty sure that she is the one that made eye contact with you earlier. That leaves you with the other woman, dressed in a tight-fitting but still really feminine suit. She is standing there holding the door as the woman in the dress climbs into the car, not breaking eye contact with you for even a second. She smirks at you and joins her partner. You think that they act like they own everything, or everybody owes something to them. It feels off like something straight out of some Bruce Wayne shit. 

“Y/n, are you okay?” Just then, you break the staring contest with the leaving vehicle. 

“Hm? Oh, yeah, yes. Come one, I think it's our Uber. I need you to tell me everything.” You show your excitement, and you really are, the happiness of your friends is one of the priorities in your life, and you also know that the girls can't wait to hear about it. 

***

“And then … they gave me money for the concert!!!” All the girls are squeaking now, and you cover your ears, hoping to survive this. 

“Gosh, that's so exciting!” Kate chimes in with glee written all over her face.

“But they didn't like you?” You are confused. From the whole story you understood that the date was nice, they paid for it, but they are not interested in meeting up again. Yet, they still paid a huge amount of money for the concert for a stranger just because they can? This whole thing feels shady, and you don't trust them for even a second.

“It's not that they didn't like her, y/n. They are just looking for something different, someone different. It doesn't mean they can't be nice, or I don't know, have fun together right?” Darcy with her golden explanation of the world. You are glad that you have her because catching up with anything about any of that is an actual nightmare. 

As much as the topic is not your favourite, you try to enjoy the rest of your free evening with your friends. They drink some wine, Darcy orders pizza, which is amazing because your shelf on the fridge only holds some probably moulded cheese and a jar of strawberry jam. You are scared of even opening the fridge nowadays.

“Actually about that, they said something about meeting again next week? They said you know something about it, Darce?” Maria doesn't feel bad at all about them not being interested in her relationship wise. But she got more than she was hoping for. 

“Yes! Carol is bringing her friends over here, and we're going to have a little get-together, a couple of drinks and stuff like that. On Saturday, they should be here around 9pm.” 

Kate shakes her head apologetically, “I need to work, I have to prepare for next month's meetings and… eh it's even too much to explain. But I hope you guys will have fun.” You feel bad for Kate, but at the same time there is no way of convincing her to say no to her mother. It's a process, and you have a lot of understanding and patience. 

“Yeah, I’m not going to be here either, I have my shift at the bar, but have fun babes. Leave me some food.” While speaking, you collect your things from the living room floor, get up from the fluffy carpet and start moving into the direction of your bedroom. 

“But you finish at 11!! I checked!!! You're going to spend some time with us, don't be a bitch!” Darcy insists. She can be scary sometimes when she puts on that stern voice. 

“Yes mommy!!!!” You mock. Oh, how much you like to tease her, and this is one of your favourite ways to do so. You leave them be and send out all the essays you had to do for this weekend. Catching up with work so quickly allows you more time to study, which is much needed now. But for now…. For now, all you need to rest. You close your eyes and play some nice music to help you fall asleep. Just for a second, you recall the two pairs of green eyes looking deep into yours. You shrug it off just as fast as the image comes to mind, not paying any attention to it.